Q&A

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Q&A Why did the Germans never convince the Japanese to start a serious invasion of the Soviet Union during the Second World War?

Photo of British troops in World War I

Q&A When were the terms ‘World War I’ and ‘World War II’ coined?

Roman women on a fresco from Pompeii

Q&A Could women in Ancient Rome hold any power?

16th century engraving depicting a man with leprosy

Q&A How did doctors treat leprosy?

Photo of a statue of Boudicca

Q&A Is Boudica buried at Platform 9¾?

19th-century boxer Larry Foley

Q&A Why do we say ‘happy as Larry’?

Photo of a couple holding up a fan

Q&A What signals were used in fan language?

Photo of a Canadian postage stamp

Q&A When was the first Christmas stamp issued?

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Where, in Ancient Egypt, did people live?

Charles I on his way to be executed, 30 January 1649. (Photo by Culture Club/Getty Images)

Q&A Who executed King Charles I?

(Photo by Getty Images)

Q&A How did ancient Egyptians mummify a body?

A vintage photograph showing an unknown man standing behind a stall selling lemonade, root beer and ice cream – among other things.

Q&A Who invented lemonade?

A section of the Seikilos epitaph, the oldest surviving complete musical composition in the world

Q&A What is the oldest-known song?

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Was Henry VIII a good king?

Like so many phrases and traditions, ‘in the limelight’ – describing someone who is the centre of attention – was born in the theatre. (Photo by CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)

Q&A Why do we say ‘in the limelight’?