The shortest war in history lasted 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 recorded history. The conflict began when the pro-British Sultan Hamad bin Thuwaini died, and Zanzibar's new sultan, Hamud bin Thuwaini, was not recognized by the British. The British issued an ultimatum, which Zanzibar refused, leading to a 38-minute naval bombardment that ended with Zanzibar's surrender. The war officially ended with the signing of a peace treaty at 9:40 AM, marking the conclusion of the brief but intense conflict.