AskHistorians

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The war in Europe ended in May 1945, just a few months before the atomic bomb was ready for use. Was there an expressed or recorded sense of stunned relief from imprisoned Nazi leadership after the atomic bombs were used on Japan? Did they ever feel Germany had just dodged the biggest bullet ever?	4198
Looking through antique firearms history (1880-1920s), there appears to be an enormous variety in pocket and novelty pistols, primarily for the European market. Were European cities full of pedestrians packing (underpowered) heat, or were these guns primarily for asthetics/upper class display?	3043
I know that the burning of the Library of Alexandria is actually a greatly overblown event. But what about the burning of an ancient library and museum in Naples in September 1943? Do we know much about what the Nazis destroyed?	819
A common question on this sub asks "who was history's Big Bad before Hitler?" That's interesting and all, but I want to know the inverse: who was history's Good Guy before Dr. King, Ghandi, or Mother Theresa?	792
Were communal "bedding" rituals ever actually practiced in the Medieval period?	175
A common question on this sub asks "who was history's Big Bad before Hitler?" That's interesting and all, but I want to know the inverse: who was history's Good Guy before Dr. King, Ghandi, or Mother Theresa?	123
What is the latest time and place in an American or British university where I am expected to become well versed in such important subjects as "The Classics" and "Rhetoric?"	120
What kind of impact did the Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001-2003) have on New Zealand's tourism industry, international reputation, and internal, national pride?	79
Did wealthy individuals who owned horse drawn carriages ever participate in anything like 20th century car culture?	66
Is there a specific time or work seen as the beginning of modern, spoiler-adverse pop culture? Would it be the end of The Empire Strikes Back? Or even earlier with Hitchcock films like Psycho and Vertigo? Was there a particular film that had a story beat SO GOOD that no one wanted to miss out?	49

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