Imagine a war so brief you could fight it, win it, and still have time for lunch. That’s exactly what happened on August 27, 1896, when the shortest war in history unfolded in just 38 minutes. This quirky clash took place in Zanzibar, a small island off the coast of East Africa, and it’s a tale of imperial flexing, a stubborn sultan, and a barrage of British firepower.

The drama kicked off when Sultan Hamad bin Thuwaini died unexpectedly. His cousin, Khalid bin Barghash, seized the throne without Britain’s approval—big mistake. The British, who had a protectorate agreement with Zanzibar, wanted their preferred successor, Hamud bin Muhammed, in charge. When Khalid ignored their ultimatum to step down by 9:00 a.m., the Royal Navy sprang into action.

At 9:02 a.m., five British warships opened fire on the sultan’s palace. Wooden structures and a few outdated cannons were no match for modern artillery. By 9:40 a.m., the palace was a smoldering ruin, Khalid’s forces were routed, and the white flag went up. The bombardment sank the sultan’s yacht, killed around 500 defenders, and sent Khalid fleeing to the German consulate. Britain installed Hamud, and the whole affair wrapped up before the clock struck 10.

This 38-minute war holds the Guinness World Record for brevity, but it’s more than a trivia tidbit. It’s a snapshot of colonial power plays—Britain flexing its naval muscle to enforce its will with ruthless efficiency. Khalid, for his part, spent years in exile before returning to East Africa, a footnote in a conflict that barely lasted longer than a sitcom.

Next time you’re waiting for coffee to brew, consider this: an entire war—complete with cannons, ships, and a throne—once played out in less time than it takes to scroll through your feed. History doesn’t get much faster than that.