askhistorians

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Why did Albert Einstein become a cultural phenomenon, rather than other groundbreaking physicists of his time? For instance, we never say "Oh wow, that guy is a total Planck!". How did the name Einstein come to be synonymous with genius in the popular consciousness?	3796
Many younger people today are pessimistic about their futures because of existential threats such as climate change. Was there a similar sentiment among younger people in cold war era America because of the threat of nuclear war?	3645
As Lord Protector, Cromwell was referred to as Your Highness, had the power to call and dismiss Parliament, created peerages, and had a pseudo-coronation in 1657. His son even succeeded him briefly as LP. Were there any prominent accusations during his lifetime that he was a monarch in all but name?	3626
(17th/18th century) In pirate movies, you often see a singular pirate ship attack a singular transport ship. Is that realistic, or would both groups more commonly travel in convoys?	3602
Why is Woodstock considered so significant an event in music history and so defining for the counterculture generation? How much of this reputation is due to retrospective mythmaking and marketing e.g. the Woodstock film?	3568
In 1961, Goa, a colony of Portugal at the time was attacked by India, Portugal was a member of NATO when this happened, yet the USA and NATO didn't help Portugal or invade India, why is this and what was the global reaction to this?	3515
Why was my Grandfather in Malaya in the 1950s and why is he the only person I’ve ever heard talk about the war there?	3510
During WWII, was it common for german soldiers to address their spouses with male nicknames in letters, and if it so why did this happen?	3509
The list of rampage killers on Wikipedia says that the deadliest rampage killing in Europe occured in 1583, when a man in Beselick killed 41 people. However, nobody is sure where Beselick is. What do we know about Beselick's location, and is it common that entire medieval towns are lost in this way?	3488
What did "tall, dark and handsome" mean? When did it come into vogue? What traits did "dark" refer to?	3434

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