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52
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13 answers
Why did Hitler declare war on the USA?
Since there had not been any offensives launched by either side against the other, why declare war just because Japan had attacked the USA?
Harley Holcombe
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5 answers
Did it take 3 minutes to reload a musket when the second amendment to the US constitution was ratified?
The NPR News podcast and video Beto O'Rourke Wants To Ban, Confiscate Some Guns. Texas Voters Want Details (about 6.5 minutes long) contains the following assertion by Congressman O'Rourke:
In under three minutes, in a Walmart in El Paso Texas, 22…
uhoh
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52
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8 answers
Are there historical examples of audiences drawn to a work that was "so bad it's good"?
The concept of media that is enjoyable because it's incompetently executed is a big market nowadays. Movies probably have the biggest examples (Plan 9 From Outer Space, Troll 2, The Room, Samurai Cop, just to name a handful of famous examples), but…
GGMG-he-him
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52
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4 answers
Why does Ngram show an extreme spike in use of "LOL" in mid 1600s?
In the google "Ngram" search, which allows you to search the usage of words in recent history, I typed in the widely-used internet word "LOL". To my surprise, this came up:
As you can see, there was a large usage of the word "lol" around 1810, even…
Curious Fish
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2 answers
How did 300,000 people survive the 3 1/2 year siege of Sarajevo?
How did the inhabitants of Sarajevo survive a 3 1/2-year siege from 1992 to 1996? Specifically, how did they deal with water, food, and heating?
Background: In 2018, Sweden sent out a leaflet "If Crises or War Comes" informing the population on how…
user1202136
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8 answers
Has there ever been a case when a traitorous military commander took command again for the side he betrayed?
In one novel I am currently reading a traitorous commander who is responsible for atrocities against the people he should protect and killing the remainder of the army he once belonged to was promoted to leader again after getting captured. As…
Thorsten S.
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52
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6 answers
Were Hitler's anti-Jewish sentiments known at all to those who voted him to power in 1933?
This is partially related to the issue that dislike of certain groups of individuals had long roots in Europe (such as exemplified by this article).
Anyway, I was looking at this other question which asks how Hitler could possibly have had his own…
user25717
52
votes
4 answers
Why was it "acceptable" for Prince Charles to marry a divorced woman, when Edward VIII had to abdicate for marrying divorcee Wallis Simpson?
Heir to the British throne Prince Charles has married divorcee Camilla Parker Bowles without a constitutional crisis. When Edward VIII wanted to marry Wallis Simpson he had to abdicate.
Of course Charles himself is also divorced.
Was this purely a…
samiles
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1 answer
If the Union Jack joins the flag of England and Scotland, why does it have a different shade of blue than the Scottish flag?
This chart (public domain from Wikimedia Commons) illustrates the question. Is there an explanation for why the Union Jack have a darker shade of blue than the original Scottish flag that it's based on?
user69715
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52
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14 answers
When were swords last used in European warfare?
Specifically, I'm interested in the last documented occurrence of swords (of any sort) being used as a primary weapon by infantrymen or cavalrymen in Western warfare. That is, when did any European or North American army last combat with swords in…
Noldorin
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4 answers
Did Albert Einstein really receive this rejection letter from the University of Bern?
I saw this image on Facebook and I usually take what's posted there with a grain of salt. I have reversed image searched and googled, but with no luck. I'm curious about the authenticity surrounding this letter.
NiCk Newman
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52
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1 answer
Could women be crucified under Roman law?
Were women eligible for crucifixion in Roman society? I found plenty of sources saying something along the lines of "women and Roman citizens were exempt" but also found some sources saying women lacked legal rights and thus could be subject to…
ThaddeusB
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51
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3 answers
Was Hitler exclaiming "Heil Hitler!" himself when saluting?
Boris Johnson in his book “The Churchill Factor: How One Man Made History” writes:
The only man to come through it with colours flying was Churchill’s parliamentary aide Bob Boothby, MP, who famously replied to Hitler’s megalomaniacal greeting of…
Shouga Reberi
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51
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1 answer
Is this artwork (used in a video game) real?
In Phantasmagoria video game you can find an artwork (most probably a tapestry) that looks like real piece of art and not something made for the game.
I've done some research, but I wasn't able to find any information regarding it.
Would someone be…
Chanandler Bong
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51
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4 answers
What is the significance behind "40 days" that often appears in the Bible?
Several times within the Old and New Testament of the Bible there are notes pertaining to a long time as "40 days," as in 40 days of fasting, rain, traveling, etc.
Why 40? Is there a factual association?
The only thing I've noticed are references to…
Ron P
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