What war lasted 37 minutes?

The Shortest War in History: 37 Minutes of Chaos

When we think of war, images of prolonged battles, years of conflict, and immense human cost come to mind. But history has its oddities—one of them being a war that ended almost as quickly as it began. The Anglo-Zanzibar War, fought on August 27, 1896, lasted between 38 and 45 minutes. Often rounded to “37 minutes,” this brief clash holds the record as the shortest war ever documented.

The conflict erupted after the death of Sultan Hamad bin Thuwaini, a British ally. His cousin, Khalid bin Barghash, seized power without London’s approval—something Britain was not willing to tolerate. Zanzibar, though an independent sultanate, was heavily influenced by British interests, particularly in trade and regional control. When Barghash ignored an ultimatum to stand down by 9:00 a.m., British forces struck.

Within minutes, the Royal Navy launched a bombardment on the Sultan’s palace. The royal yacht Phantom was sunk, the palace reduced to rubble, and Barghash fled. British forces faced minimal resistance, and by 9:40 a.m., the new sultan was installed—this time one favored by the Empire. In total, around 500 Zanzibari defenders were killed or wounded, while British casualties were remarkably light: just one injured sailor.

Despite its brevity, the war had lasting implications. It reinforced British dominance in East Africa and signaled the limits of local sovereignty under imperial pressure. Today, the Anglo-Zanzibar War is remembered more for its astonishing duration than its geopolitical impact. It’s a strange footnote in military history—a conflict so fast that some might have missed it over breakfast.