#5: The Anglo-Zanzibar War Lasted Less Than an Hour
On August 27, 1896, Britain and the Sultanate of Zanzibar fought what is generally considered history’s shortest recorded war. After Sultan Khalid bin Barghash refused a British ultimatum to leave the palace, British warships opened fire. The sultan’s defenses were overwhelmed almost immediately, and firing stopped roughly forty minutes later. Depending on exactly which timestamps historians use, estimates range around 38 to 45 minutes. Either way, some modern commute delays have lasted longer than this entire international conflict.
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