askhistorians

Title	Upvotes	Mark as read	Favorited	Rating	Add to a list
How did people historically handle boredom on the toilet? What's the history of toilet reading?	9
Wikipedia lists the Jiménez dynasty that ruled Northern Spain from the 10th century as Basque. Is this true and if so when did they stop having a distinct Basque identity? Did this Basque rule leave any cultural legacy outside Basque Country?	9
In the 1994 South African election, the National Party nearly quadrupled their vote count over the last apartheid election. Who made up these new voters? In general, what issues were the election fought on?	8
What's the history of the police warning to suspects in the UK? Sherlock Holmes stories feature police warning suspects "their words will be taken down and may be used against you" in the 1880s.	8
In 17th-20th century England, what was the profession of gravestone cutter/engraver like? Were there cross country styles and fashions or were they more local?	7
Even now, Laurence Sterne's Tristram Shandy seems innovative and surprising in the way it messes with the conventions of the novel. Did contemporary readers also see it as an unusual book breaking new ground? In general, how did people analyse and understand it at the time?	7
What was the origin of markets being established by royal charter in England (and Medieval Europe, if applicable)? How was it even possible to regulate something seemingly so basic and essential?	6
Given that the occupying authorities had carte blanche to rewrite Germany's constitution after WW2, what led to the retaining of a federal system in the new Basic Law?	6
How was fresh meat kept from spoiling before the invention of refrigeration?	6
After WW2, France annexed a small amount of territory in the Alps region from Italy. What was the motivation in acquiring these and was the plebiscite that showed a massive majority in favour of the annexation legitimate?	6

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