askhistorians

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How did Bali of all Indonesian islands become one of the world's greatest tourist destinations? For how long Bali was known as an exceptionally charming island?	106
Is there a consensus on who murdered the King of Thailand Ananda Mahidol (1925-1946)? How likely was it his brother and next in line to the throne, King Bhumibol Adulyadej (1927-2016)?	83
How the comedy scene looked like in 19th century China? Was making fun of Westerners popular?	78
In 1890, the first matryoshka doll was designed taking direct inspiration from Japanese doll daruma. How did a doll with foreign roots become the face of Russian folk culture?	74
Conquistadors have used attack dogs extensively and for a great success during the Spanish conquest of the Americas. What breeds did they use? Where those dogs come from? What was the role of battle dogs in the contemporary European warfare?	70
I've been in the House of Terror in Budapest (Museum of Nazi and Soviet occupations) recently and found following claims dubious: Hungary had no choice but to join Axis and had been a democracy until 1944. How accurate those two claims?	70
Ogon (Golden) Bat, debuting in 1931 in Japan, was the first comic superhero, predating The Phantom (1936) and Superman (1938). Where Ogon Bat drew its inspiration? Have Ogon Bat and other Japanese superheroes of the early 30-s influenced American superhero comic industry?	64
In June 1913, a Russian fleet carrying troops and led by the archbishop of Vologda have invaded Mount Athos (now Greece) to purge heresy imiaslavie. What happened there? What in that heresy imiaslavie warranted such drastic response?	53
In 1444, the writer latterly known as Pope Pius II wrote an erotic novel The Tale of Two Lovers. It was a bestseller. How popular was smut fiction in the Late Medieval Period? Who was the reader? What was the church stance on that type of novel?	53
The Great Wall of Gorgan in Iran is the second longest defensive wall still standing today. Against which enemy was it built? Has the wall proved an effective barrier against invaders?	52

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