The Anglo-Zanzibar War of 1896 is considered the shortest war in history, lasting between 38 and 45 minutes. The war began when British warships opened fire on the Sultan's palace in Zanzibar on August 27, 1896. The British quickly defeated the Zanzibari forces and installed their preferred candidate as Sultan. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglo-Zanzibar_War#:~:text=The%20Anglo%2DZanzibar%20War%20was,shortest%20recorded%20war%20in%20history.