The Shortest War in History

In 1896, a war began and ended before most soldiers even knew it had started.

It’s called the Anglo-Zanzibar War, and it’s the shortest war in recorded history.

On August 25, 1896, the Sultan of Zanzibar, Hamad bin Thuwaini, died suddenly.

His cousin, Khalid bin Barghash, seized the throne without British approval.

That was a problem. Zanzibar was a British protectorate, and treaties required British consent

for succession. The British issued an ultimatum: Step down by 9:00 a.m. on August 27.

Khalid refused. He barricaded himself in the palace with around 2,800 men and a few old cannons.

At exactly 9:02 a.m., British warships opened fire. The palace was shelled.