The Shortest War in History was Fought Over a Cat - Apparently.
In 1896, the British and Zanzibar armies clashed in the shortest war in recorded history. The war lasted only 38 minutes, from 9:02 AM to 9:40 AM, and was sparked by a dispute over who should be the ruler of Zanzibar. The British Navy had been blockading the island, and the Zanzibari forces, led by Khalid bin Bargash, refused to step down. In a swift and decisive victory, the British captured the palace and deposed the ruler, ending the war in a mere 38 minutes.