History

Refine Search

How did the invention of the radio affect society?

Before the invention of the radio, the only means of communication for long distances was the telegraph, but this was a wired system and it required people to be dependent on operators to communicate. The radio also changed the way people received their news and it became one of the first mass entertainment media in history. The precursor of television, radio offered people access to music, theater plays and daily news in a way unknown before.

Continue Reading

What was a salon during the European Enlightenment?

Salons began in Italy during the 16th century before spreading to the rest of Europe. The purpose of the salon was both to discuss ideas and further a person's self-education. Many salons were hosted by women. Important salons in France included one at the Parisian Hôtel de Rambouillet, which was hosted by the marquise de Rambouillet, and the salon of Madeleine de Scudéry in Le Marais.

Continue Reading

What was the Mann-Elkins Act?

Congress established the Interstate Commerce Commission in 1887 to contest railroad monopolies in the United States. The Mann-Elkins Act followed the Hepburn Act of 1906 and preceded the Transportation Act of 1920. Congress passed all three legislative actions to increase the authority of the commission. The Mann-Elkins Act specifically expanded the commission to cover telephones, telegraphs and radio.

Continue Reading

Who won the Battle of Hastings?

The Battle of Hastings took place on Oct. 14, 1066. Several weeks before, William, the Duke of Normandy, stated that he was the rightful heir to the English throne. He landed 7,000 troops near Pevensey on Britain's southeast coast on Sept. 28, 1066. King Harold II moved his army to intercept them on Oct 13. The next day, William led his army to battle, destroying the opposing army and allowing him to march to London and receive the city's surrender.

Continue Reading

Who killed Julius Caesar?

Rome was a well-established Republic by the time Julius Caesar came to power. Though Roman law allowed the Senate to relinquish power to a dictator in times of need, the action had historically only been done for short periods of time and only when the need to do so was extreme. When Julius Caesar became "dictator for life" in 44 B.C., the Senate felt threatened. The members felt that Caesar was attempting to usurp too much power and was now a threat to the Republic. The members of the Senate also felt their own status within society was threatened by those favored members of Caesar's mil..

Continue Reading

What was the emperor's role in Tokugawa Japan?

Feudal Japan under the shoguns was a caste system commonly described as having four tiers or levels. At the top were nobles followed by the wielders of formal power known as samurai. In turn came the peasants and farmers followed by craftsmen and artisans, including the geisha. On the next rung were merchants and business owners. The untouchable class known as burakumin included those with trades outside the bounds of acceptable society due to their occupational association with death. The caste system in feudal Japan was very complex, and some scholars have compared the emperor to a prisoner ..

Continue Reading

What year was the car invented?

As a military vehicle, Cugnot's invention was used primarily to haul artillery. The design featured a separate steam engine and boiler that was placed at the front of the vehicle, which traveled on three wheels. Due to the limitations of the engine, the vehicle was able to travel only for 10 to 15 minutes before having to stop to build up power.

Continue Reading

What was the conclusion of the Black Death plague?

It is widely believed the Black Death initially spread through rats on trade ships. Perhaps via coincidence, the Black Death began to wane when trading slowed after many people became paranoid about interacting with others and traveling away from home. The spread of the Black Death also slowed as hygiene and living conditions improved. The disease was spread through fleas and rats, both of which were attracted by poor hygiene and unclean conditions. Scholars also postulate that the Black Death simply ran its course. They state the disease never actually completely disappeared, but continued to..

Continue Reading

Where did Martin Luther King die?

After traveling to Memphis in support of a sanitation workers' strike, Martin Luther King was assassinated by James Earl Ray, a petty criminal, racist and escaped convict. Ray used a Remington rifle and fired a bullet that pierced King's jaw, instantly severing his spinal column. An exhaustive manhunt followed, and Ray was eventually apprehended in London, England, two months after the death of King. King was 39 years old at the time of his death.

Continue Reading

What is the origin of the no-third-term tradition?

Washington's unofficial tradition was broken for the first time in 1940. Franklin D. Roosevelt, who led the country through the Great Depression, served for four terms in total. He was the only president of the United States that served more than two terms.In 1947, following President Roosevelt's death a few months into his fourth term, Congress enacted the 22nd Amendment, which formally made the no-third-term tradition into a law.

Continue Reading
Showing 5721 to 5730 of 8554 (856 Pages)