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What was the purpose of The Warsaw Pact?

The Warsaw Pact was also part of a Soviet plan to control the militaries of its satellite countries in Eastern Europe more forcefully. Soviet leaders also believed that the treaty would increase their leverage in international negotiations, allowing them to bargain on a deal with the Western countries to ensure mutual peace. The Warsaw Pact's military effectiveness was displayed most forcefully in 1968, when its members mounted an invasion of Czechoslovakia, a member of the Warsaw Pact whose government was liberalizing and attempting to throw off the Soviet yoke. The invasion drew the ire..

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When were watches invented?

Wristwatches were originally designed to be a piece of jewelry. The jewelry was created to make a statement and the pieces were originally intended only for women. The watches were functional, but few women used them for practicality. Instead, they used them to help accentuate an outfit while complementing the rest of the jewelry. Men preferred to rely on traditional pocket watches for up to a decade after the first wristwatch was created.The idea of a wristwatch for men caught on after the military realized it would be easier for soldiers to see the time on their wrist. Before military person..

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Who invented the coordinate plane?

Descartes was one of the key figures in the scientific revolution and is sometimes referred to as the father of modern philosophy. He is probably best known for coining the phrase "cogito ergo sum," which means "I think, therefore I am."\nHis other contributions to mathematics include laying the groundwork for the calculus developed by Newton and Leibniz, discovering an early form of the law of conservation of mechanical momentum and making advances in the field of optics.

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Who invented the hardness scale?

The Mohs Hardness Scale ranges from one to 10, where one is the softest and 10 is the hardest. For example, talc is rated one, while diamonds are rated 10.\nTypically, the test requires the use of a porcelain streak plate and an unidentified specimen. An experimenter scratches the mineral onto the streak plate and makes observations based on how the mineral reacts to the friction. If the mineral breaks down, it has a lower number on the hardness scale. If the mineral scratches the plate itself, the number is higher.

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What were Andrew Jackson's hobbies?

Andrew Jackson loved a good practical joke as well. While a law student in Salisbury, North Carolina, Jackson was chosen to manage the annual Christmas ball, an annual event of great importance in the small North Carolina town. As a joke, he invited two prostitutes to the ball, though few in attendance found the gesture as funny as Jackson did.\nHe was avid reader of newspapers and novels. His favorite book was "Vicar of Wakefield" by Oliver Goldsmith. Andrew Jackson maintained a large collection of pipes from around the world but rarely smoked anything but his corncob pipe. He claimed he like..

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What were the popular jobs in 1920?

In the beginning of the 1920s, many people worked as farmers and in the service industry. As the 1920s continued, manufacturing jobs became increasingly common to meet the demand for electrical appliances. Radio sales went from $60 million in 1922 to $843 million in 1929. Refrigerators, washing machines, vacuums and telephones also sold in large numbers. Many companies hired new workers to help manufacture, sell and distribute the appliances. Most notably, the automotive industry employed many workers. The three main companies were Ford, Chrysler and General Motors.\nIn addition to creating n..

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What is the Ostrich Pillow?

While the Ostrich Pillow allows users to hide their eyes, it does function as a pillow, providing cushioning for the wearer's head. The pillow fits over the head and neck and includes holes for the nose and mouth and for the user to put his or her hands inside the pillow.

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Why did Henry VIII change religions?

In the earliest phase of the Protestant Reformation, Henry VIII was actually one of the Catholic Church's greatest and most vocal supporters. In response to what he saw as the theological heresies of Martin Luther, Henry produced a highly eloquent defense of the church that ultimately earned him the title, "Defender of the Faith," from Pope Leo X. However, events turned when Henry's aging first wife, Catherine of Aragon, failed to produce a son. Now in love with Anne Boleyn, and wishing to divorce Catherine, Henry approached Pope Julius II for an annulment of his first marriage.\nThe..

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What caused the Great Fire of London?

In the mid 1600s, most of the property owners of London constructed their homes and buildings of oak lumber and covered them in tar to prevent leaks. They located buildings in close proximity, aiding in the spread of this great disaster. Hot, dry winds carried sparks, created by the bakery fire to the Star Inn, across the street, igniting the hay and fodder inside. From there, the fire spread to Thames Street, igniting warehouses containing flammable materials including tallow, coal and lamp oil. Between the ignition of the bakery and the time the fire was brought under control, five days late..

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How old is Obama?

Barack Obama is the 44th president of the United States and the first who is African-American. He was first elected to the presidency in 2008 and then won re-election in 2012. Before becoming president, Obama was a teacher and civil rights lawyer and served in the Illinois State Senate from 1997 to 2004. From 2005 to 2008, he represented Illinois in the U.S. Senate. Obama received a political science degree from Columbia University in 1983 and started attending Harvard Law School in 1988.

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