The shortest war in history lasted only 38 minutes - Apparently.
The Anglo-Zanzibar War was fought between the United Kingdom and Zanzibar on August 27, 1896. Zanzibar surrendered after just 38 minutes, making it the shortest war in recorded history. The war was sparked by a dispute over who should be the ruler of Zanzibar, and the British launched a naval attack on the island. The British warship HMS Philomel opened fire on the city, and Zanzibar's forces quickly surrendered, ending the war in a matter of minutes.