/r/askhistorians

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In fiction, the idea of a hidden city is not uncommon (Gondolin and Braavos, from LOTR's and ASOIAF's worlds respectively, for example), but is that based on any real historical city? Where does that idea even come from?

2381 upvotes • mechanical_fan

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I'm a farmer in Gettysburg, PA in July 1863. The battle is over and the armies have left. My farm has been heavily damaged in the fighting. What sort of assistance, if any, can I expect from the government?

2381 upvotes • IWantToCumInDashie

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NYC's Book Row had 48 bookstores at its height. What distinguished them and kept them in business? What sort of book culture supported such a density of booksellers?

2380 upvotes • RusticBohemian

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In the film “The Death Of Stalin,” a full-scale liquidation of all staff at Stalins dacha is depicted. Is there any historical context for this, or for the possible execution of individuals who served on Stalin’s personal housekeeping staff in aftermath of his death?

2377 upvotes • collymolotov

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Why are England's 2 oldest and most important universities (Oxford and Cambridge) located in fairly out of the way towns while most of Europe's major universities are located in its largest cities?

2375 upvotes • cockratesandgayto

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When the Dutch royal family fled the Netherlands during World War II, why did they go to Canada, rather than one of the remaining Dutch colonies like Suriname or Aruba?

2374 upvotes • Meshakhad

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How did "Auld Lang Syne", a song that makes very little sense if you don't speak Scots, become so popular at various events all across the English-speaking world?

2374 upvotes • [deleted]

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What was the dental hygiene like of people in eras before modern toothcare? Did all their teeth fall out at 30? How did they manage?

2373 upvotes • Snikhop

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FDR was elected 5 times and had 3 different vice presidents during his terms. Why didn't he just stick with the same VP each time?

2373 upvotes • dancingbanana123

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In 1765, a chimney sweep was banished from for 5 years from Edinburgh and expelled from the local chimney sweep organization for assisting after a hanging went awry. Were chimney sweeps notably anti-death penalty? Why was it a "grievous punishment" to be exiled to leith?

2372 upvotes • kahntemptuous

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Title	Upvotes	Author	Mark as read	Favorited	Rating	Add to a list
In fiction, the idea of a hidden city is not uncommon (Gondolin and Braavos, from LOTR's and ASOIAF's worlds respectively, for example), but is that based on any real historical city? Where does that idea even come from?	2381	mechanical_fan
I'm a farmer in Gettysburg, PA in July 1863. The battle is over and the armies have left. My farm has been heavily damaged in the fighting. What sort of assistance, if any, can I expect from the government?	2381	IWantToCumInDashie
NYC's Book Row had 48 bookstores at its height. What distinguished them and kept them in business? What sort of book culture supported such a density of booksellers?	2380	RusticBohemian
In the film “The Death Of Stalin,” a full-scale liquidation of all staff at Stalins dacha is depicted. Is there any historical context for this, or for the possible execution of individuals who served on Stalin’s personal housekeeping staff in aftermath of his death?	2377	collymolotov
Why are England's 2 oldest and most important universities (Oxford and Cambridge) located in fairly out of the way towns while most of Europe's major universities are located in its largest cities?	2375	cockratesandgayto
When the Dutch royal family fled the Netherlands during World War II, why did they go to Canada, rather than one of the remaining Dutch colonies like Suriname or Aruba?	2374	Meshakhad
How did "Auld Lang Syne", a song that makes very little sense if you don't speak Scots, become so popular at various events all across the English-speaking world?	2374	[deleted]
What was the dental hygiene like of people in eras before modern toothcare? Did all their teeth fall out at 30? How did they manage?	2373	Snikhop
FDR was elected 5 times and had 3 different vice presidents during his terms. Why didn't he just stick with the same VP each time?	2373	dancingbanana123
In 1765, a chimney sweep was banished from for 5 years from Edinburgh and expelled from the local chimney sweep organization for assisting after a hanging went awry. Were chimney sweeps notably anti-death penalty? Why was it a "grievous punishment" to be exiled to leith?	2372	kahntemptuous