10. The Shortest War in History Ended in Less Than 45 Minutes (1896)
Military conflicts often drag on for years, consuming immense resources and human life. However, on August 27, 1896, the Anglo-Zanzibar War demonstrated how quickly an overwhelming technological and military imbalance can resolve a geopolitical dispute. Following the sudden death of pro-British Sultan Hamad bin Thuwaini, his cousin Khalid bin Barghash seized control of the Zanzibar palace in a coup without seeking British approval, violating an established treaty. The British Royal Navy delivered an ultimatum demanding that Khalid vacate the palace by 9:00 AM on August 27.
When Khalid refused and barricaded himself inside with roughly three thousand defenders, British warships stationed in the harbor opened fire precisely at 9:02 AM. Royal Navy bombardment devastated the wooden palace structure, setting it ablaze and destroying the defenders’ artillery positions within minutes. By 9:40 AM, Khalid’s forces fled, the Royal Navy struck the Sultan’s flag, and the war was officially over. The entire conflict lasted between thirty-eight and forty-five minutes, resulting in approximately five hundred casualties among Zanzibar’s forces, while the British suffered only one injured sailor. This brief conflict remains the shortest recorded war in world history.
