The shortest war in history lasted only 38 minutes - Apparently.
The Anglo-Zanzibar War, fought between the United Kingdom and Zanzibar on August 27, 1896, is recorded by the Guinness World Records as the shortest war in history. The conflict began when the pro-British Sultan Hamad bin Thuwaini died, and the opposing faction, led by Khalid bin Bargash, seized power. The British, who had a powerful naval presence in the area, issued an ultimatum to Khalid, which he ignored, leading to the brief but intense 38-minute battle.