[deleted]

Back before most people had electricity or watches how would people determine when to go to work, when to meet someone, etc. Was it just vague like come in the morning and work until the sun sets?

Let's say a man in Africa wants to move to America for whatever reason. Could he actually become a citizen or would he have to be a slave?

[deleted]

I've had this question bumping around in my head for quite some time, and it just now occurred to me that this might be the perfect place to ask! For a significant portion of human history, marriage was wielded as a tool by the powerful to unite, to bring peace, and to gain allies. For years, I've been fascinated by the idea of what this must have been like for the women being used as bargaining chips-- what it would have been like to be taken to a foreign land at the age of 13 or 17 or 20 to wed a total stranger, and likely a much older man at that! Surely no amount of preparation, no amount of being raised knowing that such a thing could happen would adequately prepare someone for that kind of transition, especially if the marriage was taking place during a time of some hostilities between nations/factions. I've also noticed that many marriages between powerful people seem to exist without a whole lot of interaction between the spouses (ie the man is away at war, etc), and have always wondered how they treated each other-- was it like a business transaction? I'm sure there was plenty of etiquette and societal expectation involved, and I'd love to hear anything you can tell me about it! Personal details and accounts seem difficult to come by, especially prior to 1400 or so (though that seems to vary depending on region and is likely influenced my own lack of research/linguistic ability). I've struggled to find source material that gives a good representation of what interpersonal relationships were really like prior to the widespread popularization of the novel and other forms of representative literature. Is anyone aware of sources that discuss the personal relationships and interactions of couples in political marriages? I'd be particularly interested in accounts from a woman's perspective, and thrilled if there was something actually discussing the initial meeting/wedding/wedding night. I'm sure I could go on and on with more specific questions, but that seems like a good start on what I would like to know!

I've heard stories about lions in Europe and recently learned they are believed to have existed in Portugal, Turkey, Greece and southern Russia.

What happened to the lions? Were they hunted to extinction?

I've heard that Mao Zedong refused to accept Japanese Prime Minister Takuei apology for the Rape of Nanking on the grounds that Imperial Japan's invasion of the Republic of China greatly assisted Zedong's communist revolution. Is this true?

Such as: "Don't" "Can't" "Won't"

The theory of MAD prevented one side from launching a nuclear war, and this is almost universally known. But was it ever discussed, by say Kennedy and Krushchev, and confirmed? Or was it more taboo and not necessarily discussed by opposing leaders, and simply known by everyone?

I was just recently watching "The Patriot" and Benjamin Martin doesn't think highly of the French Officer. It got me thinking about the joke that we have about French guns for sale, never fired, only dropped once. How did this belief come about and is it even remotely accurate?

He said he found it amusing as a child because it would cause buttons to either shatter or pop off and ping around the room. Now that I'm older I realized many of his stories were fabricated (fabric, get it?) and I feel like if it were true, people would be constantly sewing buttons back on after each wash.

Edit I should specify my question is... Is it true? Was it actually the case they had to constantly replace buttons?

We say the Romans fought a battle in 300 BC, for example. But what year was it for the romans at that time? Surely they didnt say it is right now 300 BC. And many different cultures probably also counted differently. Also, when did we start counting like that?

EDIT: Its not only about rome. Its a general question, how people counted time before the "invention" of AD and BC.

What were the ranks and hierarchies in the British Army and the German Army, mainly just the Wehrmacht and the British equivalent, the question being: How were armies built? What are divisions and brigades? What ranks are these at? What's the difference between a field marshal and a general and an officer? Are any of these questions well defined? I don't know much about army structures in WW2 or even where to begin, so thanks in advance.

I'm thinking of the Sherlock Holmes stories, in which they frequently mention 'clubs' that gentlemen belonged to and would spend leisure time at. What kind of things would go on there? Who could join?

Alternatively lots of Arabic Mohammeds out there but I don't think I've ever met anyone named Buddha? Of course those are different religions and it could just come down to not wanting to blaspheme or maybe Mohammed was already a popular name before the Prophet came along.

But there seems to be a big gap with the name Jesus considering they're all Christians. Is this because of some factor that happened south of the border or was it a common name back in Spain?