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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| The Top Ten: Shortest wars | The Top Ten: Shortest wars |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| 'The belief in the possibility of a short, decisive war appears to be one of the most ancient and dangerous of human illusions.' | 'The belief in the possibility of a short, decisive war appears to be one of the most ancient and dangerous of human illusions.' |
| My Quotation of the Day by Robert Lynd prompted James Worron to observe that short wars are quite common – there are just fewer of them than people hope for. | My Quotation of the Day by Robert Lynd prompted James Worron to observe that short wars are quite common – there are just fewer of them than people hope for. |
| 1. Anglo-Zanzibar War, 1896 | 1. Anglo-Zanzibar War, 1896 |
| The Royal Navy defeated the Sultan of Zanzibar in 38 minutes. Holds the record, thinks Alan Beattie. | The Royal Navy defeated the Sultan of Zanzibar in 38 minutes. Holds the record, thinks Alan Beattie. |
| 2. Football War, 1969 | 2. Football War, 1969 |
| Between El Salvador and Honduras, lasting 100 hours. Triggered by rioting during a play-off in the 1970 World Cup (El Salvador won 3-2 after extra time). From Stephen Fahey. | Between El Salvador and Honduras, lasting 100 hours. Triggered by rioting during a play-off in the 1970 World Cup (El Salvador won 3-2 after extra time). From Stephen Fahey. |
| 3. Six-Day War, 1967 | 3. Six-Day War, 1967 |
| Israel defeated Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Iraq. Nominated by Harris. | Israel defeated Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Iraq. Nominated by Harris. |
| 4. Russo-Georgian War, 2008 | 4. Russo-Georgian War, 2008 |
| Six days, 7 to 12 August. Russian victory, occupying South Ossetia and Abkhazia. A late nomination from Martin Heneghan. | Six days, 7 to 12 August. Russian victory, occupying South Ossetia and Abkhazia. A late nomination from Martin Heneghan. |
| 5. Slovenian Independence War, 1991 | 5. Slovenian Independence War, 1991 |
| Lasted 10 days from 27 June to 7 July after Slovenia declared independence from Yugoslavia. Ended with the signing of the Brioni Agreement. Thanks to David Beckingham. | Lasted 10 days from 27 June to 7 July after Slovenia declared independence from Yugoslavia. Ended with the signing of the Brioni Agreement. Thanks to David Beckingham. |
| 6. War of the Stray Dog, 1925 | |
| The Incident at Petrich, an 11-day conflict between Greece and Bulgaria, 19 to 29 October, in some accounts caused when Bulgarian border guards shot and killed a Greek soldier who ran after his dog. Greeks withdrew and paid an indemnity to Bulgaria by decision of the League of Nations. Thanks to Mr Ceebs. | |
| 7. Indo-Pakistani War, 1971 | |
| Thirteen days. Hard to separate from the Bangladeshi war of independence, but Jamie Frater, who compiled a Listverse list, has this as a distinct conflict. | Thirteen days. Hard to separate from the Bangladeshi war of independence, but Jamie Frater, who compiled a Listverse list, has this as a distinct conflict. |
| 8. Serbo-Bulgarian War, 1885 | |
| One day longer at 14 days. The Kingdom of Serbia objected to the unification of Bulgaria, but was defeated. | One day longer at 14 days. The Kingdom of Serbia objected to the unification of Bulgaria, but was defeated. |
| 9. Norman Conquest, 1066 | |
| Seventeen days. William landed on 28 September and won the Battle of Hastings on 14 October. | Seventeen days. William landed on 28 September and won the Battle of Hastings on 14 October. |
| 10. Georgian-Armenian War, 1918 | |
| Border dispute after Ottoman withdrawal at the end of the First World War led to 24 days of war, ending in a ceasefire and joint administration. From Jamie Frater's list. | Border dispute after Ottoman withdrawal at the end of the First World War led to 24 days of war, ending in a ceasefire and joint administration. From Jamie Frater's list. |
| Next week: Terrible technology predictions, such as 'The New York Times' in 1985 on how laptop computers would never catch on | Next week: Terrible technology predictions, such as 'The New York Times' in 1985 on how laptop computers would never catch on |
| Coming soon: Familiar phrases that don't mean what people think ("Wherefore art thou, Romeo?"). Send your suggestions, and ideas for future Top 10s, to top10@independent.co.uk | Coming soon: Familiar phrases that don't mean what people think ("Wherefore art thou, Romeo?"). Send your suggestions, and ideas for future Top 10s, to top10@independent.co.uk |