The shortest war in history lasted only 38 to 45 minutes.

Why this works

At first glance, this riddle seems to present an absurdity: how can a war last such a brief moment in time? Yet, it cleverly invites us to explore a unique historical footnote that defies our conventional understanding of conflict. The Anglo-Zanzibar War, which erupted on August 27, 1896, was indeed a mere flicker in the timeline of human strife, ignited by a succession dispute following the death of the pro-British Sultan. When the British fleet unleashed its cannons at 9:00 AM, it was less a declaration of war and more a show of overwhelming force; by 10:00 AM, the Sultan had surrendered, marking a conflict that lasted less than an hour. The riddle's brilliance lies in its ability to juxtapose the grand concept of war with the triviality of its duration. It raises questions about what constitutes a "war" and challenges our preconceived notions about battles requiring time, strategy, and casualties. The Anglo-Zanzibar War serves as a reminder of the drastic power imbalances that can shape history, where one side's sheer might can render a battle moot before it even begins. As an interesting nugget, this brief conflict is not just a quirky trivia fact; it highlights the era of imperialism when colonial powers like Britain exerted tremendous influence over regions like East Africa. The war’s brevity is a stark contrast to the protracted conflicts that dominate our collective memory, reminding us that sometimes, history can be captured in the blink of an eye.