The shortest war in history was between Britain and Zanzibar - Apparently.
On August 27, 1896, Zanzibar surrendered to the British after just 38 minutes of fighting, making it the shortest war in recorded history. The British warship HMS Philomel opened fire on the Zanzibari fleet, and the Zanzibari forces quickly retreated. The war was sparked by a dispute over who should be the ruler of Zanzibar, and the British were determined to assert their dominance in the region. This remarkable and little-known conflict is still recognized by the Guinness World Records.