askhistorians

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Did anyone ever investigate the driver of AD Frani Ferdinand when he was assassinated? The general history is he simply “took a wrong turn” to come face to face with Princep. Any situation which seems so serendipitous I always find highly suspect.	21
We currently count dates backwards up until 1 AD (ex: Caesar was born in 100 BC and died 44 BC). Considering we essentially started over counting, what date was 1 AD to people of the time, and what is the history of their record keeping?	18
Ive always heard the generalization “There were surprisingly low amounts of casualties during the fighting of ancient battles.The casualties came when one side broke and was pursued.”Can someone elaborate with details,& perhaps provide statistical chances of being a WIA/KIA if fighting in the line?	15
In the lead up to and when Israel became a nation, how did people develop an effective social and political state when everyone spoke a different language; or was modern Hebrew already spoken by the majority?	13
How likely were you to get your horse stolen in the American West when utilizing a hitching post at a hotel, saloon, etc.?	13
Why did the Soviet Union not open a second front against Japan in WWII, especially after the Western Allies took pressure off of them post DDay?	12
How did soldiers know who was who in the melee of Medieval battlefields prior to standardized uniforms?	11
US Army troopers who stormed the beaches at Normandy wore a light green cover that went over their boots. What was the purpose of these, since other troops such as the Airborne did not wear them?	11
The Californian was in striking distance of coming to the aid of Titanic on the night of the sinking, yet for a variety of reasons known to history she did not. Is there any evidence to suggest that had she come, that she would have been able to carry out an effective rescue?	9
“Mr Andrews tells me he gives her from an hour to an hour and a half” Captain Smith was quoted when giving the orders to ready Titanic’s lifeboats. We always here about Titanic’s horrible lifeboat capacity, but would having more lifeboats mattered given how little time there was to launch them?	9

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