/r/askhistorians

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Sirius is the dog star. Why? According to wikipedia, it was known as the dog star to ancient Egyptians, Chinese, and even Native Americans. Is that true? How does that even happen? What's so doglike about it?

493 upvotes • 2Byzantine4Med

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How reliable was pilot kill counts during WW2? What kept pilots from inflating their scores for personal gain, or countries from doing the same for propaganda purposes?

493 upvotes • platshallare123

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Did the Japanese use any sort of "scientific racism" to justify crimes against the Chinese, Filipinos, Koreans, and other groups? If not, what was the rationale?

493 upvotes • HowdoIreddittellme

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A tourist guide in Vienna told me that Austria (in its various forms) lost the majority of their wars. Another guide confirmed that about 60-70% of all wars and battles were lost. They mentioned Prince Eugene is responsible for most victories for the Habsburgs. Is that really true?

493 upvotes • mathiasfiedler

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How Dutch was William III of England? Was he bilingual? How much did Dutch culture and customs come into the fore in England when he ascended to the throne alongside Mary?

493 upvotes • Dry_Discussion

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How do Historians separate humor, misuse of words, and "memes" from historical texts?

493 upvotes • Chicano_Ducky

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West Virginia is one of the poorest states in the US today, and most people tend to point at the coal industry leaving as one of the main drivers. Generally speaking, what was life in West Virginia like before coal went away, during its "prime?" Did it ever have a "prime?"

493 upvotes • fimgus

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What did it really mean to be released from a Gulag? Where would one be "dropped off" after serving their time in a camp?

492 upvotes • sovietkangaroo

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Why did North Korea become poorer and apparently more brutal than other socialist states?

492 upvotes • Vladith

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Would it be fair to describe the United States from 1877 to 1960 as an apartheid state? If not, what were the differences?

492 upvotes • td49999

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Title	Upvotes	Author	Mark as read	Favorited	Rating	Add to a list
Sirius is the dog star. Why? According to wikipedia, it was known as the dog star to ancient Egyptians, Chinese, and even Native Americans. Is that true? How does that even happen? What's so doglike about it?	493	2Byzantine4Med
How reliable was pilot kill counts during WW2? What kept pilots from inflating their scores for personal gain, or countries from doing the same for propaganda purposes?	493	platshallare123
Did the Japanese use any sort of "scientific racism" to justify crimes against the Chinese, Filipinos, Koreans, and other groups? If not, what was the rationale?	493	HowdoIreddittellme
A tourist guide in Vienna told me that Austria (in its various forms) lost the majority of their wars. Another guide confirmed that about 60-70% of all wars and battles were lost. They mentioned Prince Eugene is responsible for most victories for the Habsburgs. Is that really true?	493	mathiasfiedler
How Dutch was William III of England? Was he bilingual? How much did Dutch culture and customs come into the fore in England when he ascended to the throne alongside Mary?	493	Dry_Discussion
How do Historians separate humor, misuse of words, and "memes" from historical texts?	493	Chicano_Ducky
West Virginia is one of the poorest states in the US today, and most people tend to point at the coal industry leaving as one of the main drivers. Generally speaking, what was life in West Virginia like before coal went away, during its "prime?" Did it ever have a "prime?"	493	fimgus
What did it really mean to be released from a Gulag? Where would one be "dropped off" after serving their time in a camp?	492	sovietkangaroo
Why did North Korea become poorer and apparently more brutal than other socialist states?	492	Vladith
Would it be fair to describe the United States from 1877 to 1960 as an apartheid state? If not, what were the differences?	492	td49999