The shortest war in history lasted 38 minutes.

Anglo-Zanzibar War

While many wars are waged for years, the Anglo-Zanzibar War lasted a mere 38 minutes, making it the shortest war in recorded history. The conflict occurred on August 27, 1896, between the United Kingdom and the Sultanate of Zanzibar. Tensions began in 1890, when the Heligoland-Zanzibar Treaty granted the British a sphere of influence over the East African island of Zanzibar. Three years later, Britain installed Sultan Hamad bin Thuwaini to protect British interests in the region. However, Hamad died in 1896, and was succeeded by his cousin, Khalid bin Barghash, without British approval. Khalid became sultan on August 25, 1896, but was ordered to stand down by British diplomat Basil Cave. Rather than concede, Khalid amassed around 3,000 soldiers to defend the palace using all available artillery. Britain issued an ultimatum to Khalid, demanding that he leave the palace by 9 a.m. on August 27, and when that time passed, war broke out.

The war was over almost as soon as it began, as three British warships — the HMS Racoon, Thrush, and Sparrow — fired on the palace, destroying the majority of Khalid’s artillery within two minutes. Still, the bombardment continued for 38 minutes before stopping, during which Khalid escaped and was eventually smuggled into modern-day Tanzania. The British reclaimed the palace and installed a new sultan; in 1916, British forces captured Khalid in East Africa and he was exiled to the island of Saint Helena.

By the Numbers

Did you know?

The Hundred Years’ War actually lasted for 116 years.

The Hundred Years’ War lasted from May 24, 1337, until October 19, 1453, totaling about 116 years. This lengthy conflict was disputed between the kingdoms of England and France, and centered around English claims to the French throne. In 1328, France’s King Charles IV was succeeded by his paternal cousin Philip VI, though Charles’ nearest male relative was actually his nephew, Edward III of England. Tensions rose as some viewed Edward as having a stronger claim, and in 1337, war broke out after France confiscated the English-held duchy of Guyenne. In 1340, the first true battle of the war occurred at the Battle of Sluys, where England destroyed nearly the entire French fleet. Fighting lasted for decades, with each side exchanging ground until the decisive French victory at the Battle of Castillon in 1453. The war ended in October that year, though no formal peace treaty was ever signed.