askhistorians

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My great uncle-in-law escaped Aushwitz just as they started the death marches. He ran into the woods and someone stumbled into soldiers who I believe were American. One of these soldiers was the first black man he ever saw. What stereotypes or media exposure to black people would he have had?	52
Where did the trope of an otherwise “crazy” beggar having spiritual insight or teaching a lesson to someone of a higher social standing come from? Examples include the Ides of March dude, any homeless person in a Hallmark Christmas movie, or little Tim from A Christmas Carol	51
Because of the one drop rule, many people who were enslaved looked completely white. Generally, what did having white people as slaves do for optics? What measure did slave owners and society do to make sure people knew they were enslaved, especially when they escaped?	47
When did “pssst” and “sh!” come to mean “I stealthy want your attention” and “quiet”?	44
The wiki orthography page refers to ‘efforts to introduce variability for the sake of national identity, as seen in Noah Webster's efforts to introduce easily noticeable differences between American and British spelling (e.g., "honor" and "honour").’ Is there evidence for this being Websters intent?	42
A Star Trek press booklet from the 60s (link below) states Sulu is an only child due to “Japanese population control laws.” What was happening during the 60s to lead whoever wrote this to believe Japan would practice population control centuries later?	39
After 9/11, what was the ad industry’s response in depicting the Twin Towers? What were people’s immediate (and later) thought processes in terms of respecting but not censoring these buildings now famous for a tragedy?	38
What were the causes of the 1975 Icelandic women's stike? What did it achieve? Was it modeled on anything? Where can I find first-hand accounts/recollections of it, both women and men?	38
In every WII and maybe WWI movie, Allied soldiers almost always have their helmet straps undone. Why? As a subtle rebellion against an army they love but has sent them to war? Because chin straps suck?	36
When did night vision goggles become so well known to civilians that a scene from the POV of someone wearing them could be featured in movies without the audience being explicitly told what they were?	32

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