None of my history classes ever covered this transition period. Every culture was "just there," and we moved on with learning history.

I do not have any data to back up my observations, and my observations are simply based on my own travels around the midwest, but it seems like no matter where I am if I want to order Chinese takeout it's never THAT far away. More so than Mexican restaurants, Italian restaurants, or any other type of Asian cuisine. Although I'm sure that this varies by region, is there a reason why Chinese restaurants are so popular and widespread in the U.S. relative to other types of restaurants when Chinese people make up a relatively small percentage of the U.S. population?

Through my brief research on google, it appears the white flag had been used in Europe to signify intent to surrender or peacefully negotiate by the 17th century. When the French adopted the white flag as their kingdom flag, only to be decorated with fleurs-de-lis for the royals, did this confuse the heck out of the population? Did other kingdoms/nations consider it humorous? Or am I just incorrect in the assumption that 17th century Europe did not widely assume the ubiquity of white flags and surrender?

Thanks in advance for your insight!

How did chopsticks become the primary eating utensils in the many different cultures through out Asia where the primary foodstuff has usually been rice? wouldn't a spoon or some other shoveling utensil have been better suited?

Hello everyone. I'm curious about the potential for Pubs, Inns, and Taverns of Medieval Ireland. Anywhere from ... let's say 800 ACE through the 1399 ACE.

I'd like to know how likely it is they existed, if there is any physical evidence (archaeoligical finds or documenation) to prove their existence, who would most likely have owned them (Native Irish or Invading Settlers), what their layout would be, and most likely foods on offer.

When was racism as we understand it today first used as a concept? How was it different from forms of discrimination that preceded it?

Hello, Im looking for any recommnedations on a lite source of Korean history, an overview of it, if you will, something I can engage with in 1-hour chunks or something like that, an example would be a podcast like of (History of Rome/Revolutions), or a Youtube history channel like Kings and Generals, or an encyclopedia-like book that would be easy to find online and makes an easy to diggest overview of Korean history and/or culture, something like what an author like Lopez Austin, Salmeron and Taibo II would do with Mexico.

Bear in mind that Im looking at works that focuses on Korean ancient history (so anything from the end of the Neohlithic to the 1st Sino-Japanese War) and NOT those focused on the Korean War and the South/North split of the country, as there are plenty of sources for that.

Thank you in advance to anyone for their recommendations.

I was watching a documentary and was surprised to find that British troops imported the custom of eating beef to France after Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo. Even Alexandre Dumas (pere) first tried beefsteak in 1815 due the influence of the remaining British troops in France. Were the French not accustomed to consuming beef before this period?

I ran into statement from a Muslim talking about the Muʿtazilites and their denial of the eternity of the Qur'an.However, I suspect that his statement implies something to a lay person (like myself) that may be more radical than what he really means.

He claims that they deny that the Qur'an is the " eternal,literal Word of God". Now, in a narrow sense this can be true (the Qur'an is created and thus hasn't always existed) with far less controversy than the broader sense; the Qur'an is not actually the speech of God (it is not God talking, as is usually claimed) or is not the final message of God. Both are technically true, which is a problem.

So I was curious as to their motivation for denying this eternal nature and what it meant for their interpretations.

Did they still hold that the Qur'an was the speech of God (i.e. dictated by God)? Did they hold to some form of Quranic inerrancy? Was the view that the Qur'an was created but from now on would be eternal (like how a layman would think of ordinary souls)?

Most importantly: if they denied the eternity of the Qur'an does this mean that they denied the finality of it as the word of God (i.e. the final message to all peoples?)

Producing fire is somewhat complex and not so intuitive (as far as I know). How did they figure out that?

Of course, I don't really expect any kind of historical evidence. Any speculation or educated guess works to me.

Someone I know insists that the Dutch were the first settlers of the Cape region in South Africa, as in that no one was living there beforehand, that the land was empty before the Dutch founded the Cape Colony. This seems wrong, as I would've thought that native African tribes would've inhabited the area before the Dutch arrived. Is there a consensus on who the first settlers were?

How accurate is this game in historical events and style?

Wikipedia mentions that they took 1200 people prisoner from Porto Santo, but little else. Do we know what happened to these people? Do we know whether the invaders were officially part of the Ottoman Navy, or simply Barbary corsairs flying the Ottoman flag? What was the goal of the landing - to capture slaves, annoy Portugal, or something else? Are there any signs of this brief occupation in the archipelago, and has it had any notable impact on the history of the islands?

I'd love to hear any extant information about this, even if sources are scant.

I ask because I had read that in the 1800s, after the passage of the Slave Trade Act some Americans raided Black Seminole villages in Spanish Florida in an attempt to enslave them, but I don't know how widespread (or legal) this practice was. Were black people in Canada, Mexico, etc. potentially at risk during this period as well?

Specifically interested in whether the Romans ever allowed locals in the provinces to perform executions for violating their local laws. Did this evolve over time? But any information on punishments in general would be good to know. Thanks!