The shortest war in recorded history lasted just 38 minutes.

Wacky WorldHistory

The Anglo-Zanzibar War was fought on the morning of 27 August 1896 between the British Empire and the Zanzibar Sultanate. Following the sudden death of pro-British Sultan Hamad bin Thuwaini, his cousin Khalid bin Barghash seized power inside the palace without British approval. When an ultimatum expired at 09:00 AM, Royal Navy cruisers opened fire on the seaside palace at 09:02. By 09:40 AM, the palace artillery was destroyed, the Sultan had fled, and the war ended in roughly 38 minutes.

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