Is there a Medieval Linguist in the house? I need a very short conversation between Cistercian nuns in Saxony translated into Medieval Latin. Any help so I don't sound like a complete idiot warmly welcomed. [more inside]
posted by The Whelk on Oct 23, 2009 - 7 answers

I sometimes see decorative piles of stones in front of --primarily rural-- homes. I like the effect very much. I wonder if there is an historical meaning or symbolism to these stone piles or if it is merely an enhancement.
posted by psc1860 on Jul 25, 2009 - 12 answers

Travel Filter: Planning trip from NC to Appomattox and Shenandoah Valley VA for Memorial Day weekend. Looking for off the beaten path, cultural or natural destinations and any other "must see" recommendations on food, lodging or attractions [more inside]
posted by DetonatedManiac on May 16, 2009 - 7 answers

Emergency Research Materials Needed: Due to not being an adult about things I now have to write a quick story set during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. And I have to finish it by Sunday. Yes, I've already read Wikipedia. [more inside]
posted by The Whelk on Apr 28, 2009 - 12 answers

Is there a book in the same vein as Bryson's A Short History of Nearly Everything, only covering history instead of science? [more inside]
posted by wordsmith on Apr 24, 2009 - 16 answers

Help me find a historical faux-news program that I remember from my childhood. [more inside]
posted by slavlin on Apr 12, 2009 - 6 answers

A piece of art given me some years ago might be of historical interest. How do I get in touch with someone who might want to take a picture of it, or catalogue it, or whatever? [more inside]
posted by jet_silver on Jan 26, 2009 - 5 answers

Where can I find lots of historical media? I'm looking for any kind of photos or film, newsreels, anything. [more inside]
posted by Hargrimm on Jan 6, 2009 - 10 answers

Is there a resource anywhere that will give me either (a) historical data for the last year or two on the price of oil (b) similar data for airline tickets or (c) ideally, both? [more inside]
posted by ricochet biscuit on Nov 9, 2008 - 3 answers

Can you recommend a good historical atlas of the United States? [more inside]
posted by BradNelson on Nov 3, 2008 - 1 answer

OldFinancialInformationFilter: Figuring out cost basis for John Hancock Income Securities Trust (JHS) under its previous CUSIP. [more inside]
posted by i love cheese on Oct 4, 2008 - 1 answer

Where do I start with ancient classic literature, especially accessible versions of mythological or vaguely historical tales? Preferably from Anglo-Saxon or Norse traditions, but I'm open to anything really good. [more inside]
posted by rocks009 on Oct 3, 2008 - 26 answers

I am looking for photos of the Cambridge, MA area taken between 1950 and 1999. I am especially interested in the commercial areas along the current Red Line route (Porter/Harvard/Central/Kendall), and the industrial areas southeast of Central Square. If you happen to know of any repositories of offline photos, that would be cool too. Thanks!
posted by rxrfrx on Sep 9, 2008 - 10 answers

Is there a way to search Google for what a URL Web page looked like on a certain date? [more inside]
posted by cainiarb on Aug 23, 2008 - 4 answers

Strange as it might sound, I am compiling a list of rooms. I am eager to draw upon the travels, explorations, and creative minds of metafilter to help flesh out the list. [more inside]
posted by foxy_hedgehog on Aug 18, 2008 - 27 answers

Help me find real-world magic items. [more inside]
posted by MrVisible on Jun 17, 2008 - 47 answers

My copy of "Our Mutual Friend" by Charles Dickens shows the chapter name on the head every left page, and a summary phrase of the spread's content on the head of every right page. Is there a name for that style? I'd love to know any history of it, why it's not done now, and how I could set it up in a word processor for use in my own docs. Thanks!
posted by largecorp on Jun 16, 2008 - 5 answers

Allegedly, this is the original key to the choir loft of Mission San Luis Rey. A) How can I confirm its origins? B) What should I do with it? [more inside]
posted by miss lynnster on Jun 6, 2008 - 9 answers

I'm interested in reading more fun books, written in 1945 or earlier, which clearly set themselves in the time and place that they were written. Examples include Anne of Green Gables, Gaudy Night by Dorothy L. Sayers, Pride & Prejudice, and China to Me. [more inside]
posted by Margalo Epps on May 24, 2008 - 39 answers

pursuant to this excellent post, what other repositories of historic/interesting/important periodicals exist online?
posted by Chrischris on May 8, 2008 - 10 answers

What hand tools would be needed to remove a chunk of iron from an iron meteorite you've discovered in the field? [more inside]
posted by Naberius on Mar 24, 2008 - 11 answers

What was the price of Alcan Aluminum (NYSE: AL) on March 2, 1985? [more inside]
posted by i love cheese on Mar 1, 2008 - 6 answers

Are there any websites that compile historical MSRPs for cars? Like if I wanted to know how much a dude had to pay for a new Camaro in 1979. [more inside]
posted by punkfloyd on Jan 4, 2008 - 3 answers

Is there such a book as "The London Times Historical Atlas"? Google and Amazon are clueless. [more inside]
posted by grumblebee on Dec 22, 2007 - 6 answers

My grandfather recently showed us an old handwritten flight logbook from when he served in Guam in WW2 with the Navy. Would scanning this serve any interest to someone? Might it be considered classified info? [more inside]
posted by Quarter Pincher on Nov 29, 2007 - 8 answers

Posted for sushiwiththejury: I have to annotate some texts from the 19th century. The final product must be an HTML-only webpage. I have two major issues: [more inside]
posted by DevilsAdvocate on Nov 9, 2007 - 4 answers

I'm trying to find an historical novel about a visit to medieval Trebizond that I read years ago. It's in the style of Thomas B. Costain but not by him. I know it's not Rosemary Macauley's The Towers of Trebizond.
posted by Rain Man on Aug 22, 2007 - 3 answers

Quotefilter: Need both source and text from a historical story I once read for a sermon/homily this weekend. The story concerned a Native American who was shown a church by a missionary, and the Native American responded to the effect of "why do you keep God in a building?" That's all of the detail I have, and my Google-fu is failing me on this one ....
posted by Gingercat on Jul 12, 2007 - 3 answers

I'm taking a short trip to Amsterdam in April, and would love some suggestions for unique/ interesting/ historically important hotels, that aren't over-the-top expensive. [more inside]
posted by ethel on Feb 23, 2007 - 12 answers

I just read Lady Chatterly's Lover, and I'm a little confused by some aspects of society in the novel. (spoilers ahead) [more inside]
posted by jacalata on Nov 28, 2006 - 4 answers

English Juvenile Historical Fiction: Help me find three books, which are written in an intelligent "teaching" style loosely based on real events. Plenty... [more inside]
posted by ninazer0 on Oct 17, 2006 - 5 answers

I'm composing a list of major political and/or spiritual leaders, past and present, who had a positive and lasting influence on society... but who had disruptive idiosyncrasies and/or disorders that drove people close to them absolutely bonkers. [more inside]
posted by rinkjustice on Aug 26, 2006 - 30 answers

While reading this excellent thread, an interesting question popped into my mind - why was bloodletting so popular for so long when it so obviously doesn't work? [more inside]
posted by Afroblanco on Dec 23, 2005 - 27 answers

Historical movies. I love movies taking place in older times, and I have a particular fascination for the golden years of the British Empire, and the European civilization during this era. What might I like? Also: Bonus question about 1980s, possible 1970s series or movie set in this historical period. [more inside]
posted by gentle on Aug 26, 2005 - 23 answers

How can I use Movable Type to publish a weblog with historical dates? [more inside]
posted by kirkaracha on Aug 1, 2005 - 12 answers

Looking for more of these types of catchphrases: "like rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic" or "How did you enjoy the play otherwise, Mrs. Lincoln?" Formula: take a famous historical event and add a sardonic element. (Not like "Et tu Brute" or "Dr. Livingstone I presume" -- they lack the second element.) Can you think of more? Is there one about Custer?
posted by nancoix on May 14, 2005 - 23 answers

I'm a huge fan of Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin series of novels. Recently I took a break from the books, not only to catch up with all the other books I was neglecting in favour of my literary addiction, but also because I felt I needed a vacation from my old friends the captain and the doctor. Now I'm wondering: What are similarly good and addictive novels, or series of novels? [more inside]
posted by gentle on Apr 4, 2005 - 29 answers

I'm looking to put together a DVD compilation as a small christmas present and was hoping to include a bunch of historical film clips. It might include things like the moon landing, Louis Armstrong, presidential speeches, anything and everything really from the significant to the minutiae of everyday life. Does anyone know of a good source for this sort of thing on the web? Would have to be free.
posted by figment on Dec 16, 2004 - 4 answers

Looking for good historical dramas, especially ones where the main character sticks to his/her principles, regardless of the consequences. Watched Matewan (John Sayles) recently, as an example. Movies or books would do.
posted by strangeleftydoublethink on Mar 4, 2004 - 14 answers