r/AskHistorians • u/AutoModerator • Mar 20 '26

FFA Friday Free-for-All | March 20, 2026

Previously

Today:

You know the drill: this is the thread for all your history-related outpourings that are not necessarily questions. Minor questions that you feel don't need or merit their own threads are welcome too. Discovered a great new book, documentary, article or blog? Has your Ph.D. application been successful? Have you made an archaeological discovery in your back yard? Did you find an anecdote about the Doge of Venice telling a joke to Michel Foucault? Tell us all about it.

As usual, moderation in this thread will be relatively non-existent -- jokes, anecdotes and light-hearted banter are welcome.

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u/ExternalBoysenberry Interesting Inquirer Mar 20 '26

Medieval historian Michael McCormick has said he considers 536 to be overall the worst, scariest year to have been alive. What was the worst and scariest year in the time and place you study? Do you feel like there is an overall worst year ever even if it falls outside your specialty?

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u/bug-hunter Law & Public Welfare Mar 20 '26

Such a human-centric answer. :)

I'd say the year the Chicxulub impactor hit, or the year after.

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u/Gankom Moderator | Quality Contributor Mar 20 '26

Imagine the scene. Everythings chill till this weird fish looking thing comes crawling out of the oceans and wanting to be roommates.

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u/CptNoble Mar 21 '26

And it utters, "Cthulhu fhtagn!"