askhistorians

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Nazi Germany's military uniforms had a skull on the cap. Who made that design decision, and why? Did average Germans find it a bit dour and creepy that they were marching to war under a skull insignia?	323
A quarter of Chinese men were hooked on Opium in the early 20th century, but Mao and the PRC virtually eliminated opium use in the 1950s and 1960s. How did they do it?	320
The first humans to arrive in the Americas contended with giant sloths, mastodons, mammoths, and lots of ice. They thrived for centuries in harsh conditions before dying out and being replaced by other migrants. Why did their numbers remain small, and what killed them off?	316
A 1992 US federal law banned sports betting everywhere but Nevada. Why was Nevada able to evade the ban? Did other states complain about this exception, or were they largely happy to export the gambling industry to Las Vegas?	313
Winston Churchill lambasted Neville Chamberlain: 'You were given the choice between war and dishonor. You chose dishonor, and you will have war.' — in what context was this said?	311
Pakistan is a nuclear-armed state that holds credible elections, relies on highly-educated scientists/engineers, and has a court system where decent often prevails. But it also has cruel and primitive laws, ill-educated mobs out for blood, and corrupt politicians. How did this mishmash come about?	305
Has DNA evidence completely upended any area of history? How has it changed your area of expertise?	302
How did Uncle Tom's Cabin become the best-selling book of the entire 19th century? Was abolitionist sentiment in the air and everyone wanted to be in on it? Was it mostly selling in the northern United States but not the south? Why did it sell so well overseas in translation?	297
Researchers say chia seeds were an Aztec staple crop as important as corn, but how did they consume it?	297
The allied D-Day invasion attacked five beaches. Would the operation have failed if some of the attacks were repulsed? Or was the idea to break through in some so the rest of the beaches could be attacked from behind?	292

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