/u/sunagainstgold's posts in /r/AskHistorians
Tuesday Trivia: In 1773, King Louis XV gave his favorite courtesan a Bengali slave child named Zamor, whom she treated essentially as an exotic pet. Oops, because in 1792 Zamor joined the French Revolutionaries and got the countess beheaded. Tell me about the long history of Europeans of color!
170 upvotes
Mark as read: Add to a list
All right, AskHistorians. Pitch me the next (historically-accurate) Hollywood blockbuster or HBO miniseries based on a historical event or person!
170 upvotes
Mark as read: Add to a list
Tuesday Trivia: In medieval Europe, Hanukkah was celebrated like Purim: a chance to eat all the fried foods and drink the really good wine. Tell me about non-Christian holiday celebrations in your era!
165 upvotes
Mark as read: Add to a list
154 upvotes
Mark as read: Add to a list
Tuesday Trivia: People were so convinced that Joan of Arc had miraculously survived the flames that multiple women in 15th cent. France successfully impersonated her for a time. How did people in your era use disguises?
153 upvotes
Mark as read: Add to a list
TIL Tuesdays: So you like The Nutcracker? "A pantomime absurd in conception and execution, which could please only the most uncultured spectators," wrote an 1892 reviewer. It "can under no condition be called a ballet." Tell me secrets of your holiday traditions!
150 upvotes
Mark as read: Add to a list
149 upvotes
Mark as read: Add to a list
146 upvotes
Mark as read: Add to a list
Tuesday Trivia: In the Dark Ages, Gregory of Tours saw the aurora borealis as a natural sign in the sky. In the early modern era, terrified French and English saw in the lights armies and weapons of war, and begged God to spare his wrath. How did people in your era experience the skies and stars?
143 upvotes
Mark as read: Add to a list