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 as the shortest war in history. The war began when Zanzibar's Sultan Hamad bin Thuwaini died, and the British government refused to recognize the new Sultan, Khalid bin Bargash, who had seized power. The British launched a surprise attack on the island, and Zanzibar surrendered after just 38 minutes, with minimal bloodshed. The war marked the beginning of British colonial rule in Zanzibar.