Today In History with The Retrospectors

The French government introduced a new State religion on 10th November, 1793: the ‘Cult of Reason’, which attempted to reflect the anti-clerical attitudes of the French Revolution.

But - as with the new secular calendar that reset the year to zero and gave democratic names to the months - the general public did not take to their local Church becoming a ‘Temple of Reason’, and most of the men involved in propagating the idea were ultimately executed.

The worship of reason was personified by living women in Roman dresses, who were met with ridicule, and a mishmash of Greek and Roman-inspired ceremonies that struggled to define their purpose, often resembling confused and peculiar public exhibitions rather than a cohesive religious doctrine.

In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly consider Robespierre's replacement religion, the "Cult of the Supreme Being"; explain how Napoleon's rise marked the end of both cults; and reveal how the Temples of Reason provided one truly enduring legacy: cremation…

Further Reading:

• ‘The Cult of Reason’ (BBC History Magazine, 2015): https://www.pressreader.com/uk/bbc-history-magazine/20151008/281698318658789

• ‘The Notre Dame Cathedral Was Nearly Destroyed By French Revolutionary Mobs’ (HISTORY, 2019): https://www.history.com/news/notre-dame-fire-french-revolution

‘When Atheists Persecuted Christians - The Cult of Reason’ (Theopedia, 2020): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWOUmO7Lpd4

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The Retrospectors are Olly Mann, Rebecca Messina & Arion McNicoll, with Matt Hill.

Theme Music: Pass The Peas. Announcer: Bob Ravelli. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Edit Producer: Ollie Peart.

Copyright: Rethink Audio / Olly Mann 2026.

This episode originally aired in 2023.

#1700s #Religion #France
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John Emil List murdered his mother, wife and three children in a methodical massacre on November 9th, 1971. Then he left their bodies in the ballroom of their sprawling 19-room mansion, parked his car at the international airport and fled for Denver. Astonishingly, he remained on the run for EIGHTEEN YEARS.

Remarkably, in a 1989 edition of America’s Most Wanted, a forensic sculptor created an accurate bust showing what List might look like after nearly two decades on the run, and a viewer recognised him as her neighbour, “Robert Clark”, in Virginia. When confronted, List maintained his fake identity for months, even signing extradition papers under his assumed identity, but his fingerprints finally exposed the truth…

In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly review List’s defence at his trial, in which he blamed financial strain, his wife’s alcoholism, and the ‘evil’ he believed was creeping into his home; consider the similarities between List’s appalling crimes and the later Amityville killings; and reveal how he’d paused his spree to calmly munch a sandwich…

CONTENT WARNING: murder, child murder, domestic violence.

Further Reading:

• ‘John List Killed His Family, Then Vanished For 18 Years’ (All That’s Interesting, 2024): https://allthatsinteresting.com/john-list

• ‘Forensics Case: Picturing John List’ (For Dummies, 2016): https://www.dummies.com/article/academics-the-arts/science/forensics/forensics-case-picturing-john-list-138138/

• ‘CBS News, NY’ (1992): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szdTEkC-ZfA

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Join 🌴CLUB RETROSPECTORS🌴to DITCH THE ADS and get an additional full-length episode each SUNDAY…

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The Retrospectors are Olly Mann, Rebecca Messina & Arion McNicoll, with Matt Hill.

Theme Music: Pass The Peas. Announcer: Bob Ravelli. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Edit Producer: Ollie Peart.

Copyright: Rethink Audio / Olly Mann 2026.

#Crime #70s #Macabre #Christian
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Arion has written a book! The Final Edition is a satirical newspaper-style book based on the premise that most of the news stories breaking this week could in fact have been published several decades ago – and will still ring true several decades from now.

In this special episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly look at some of the headlines featured in the book that feel like they have been with us throughout history, from “Cover-up covered up with fresh cover-up” to “Superpower now opposed to armed group in war-torn country it previously armed”, and from “Historical commission finds past was ‘complex’, involving good things and also quite a lot of atrocities” to “Local authorities unprepared for seasonal change that occurs every year”.

Along the way, they discuss why Arion decided to make a newspaper that never goes out of date; examine how history itself inspired the book; and ask the important question: if the news is always repeating itself, why do we still have to read it?

The Final Edition is on sale here:

• The Final Edition: https://thefinaledition.net

• Or from The Chaser: https://chasershop.com/products/the-final-edition
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Catherine the Great of Russia died on 6th November, 1796 - but, contrary to rumours which still persist to this day, the event did not involve an intimate act with a horse. In reality, she collapsed in her washroom, fell into a coma, and died in bed.

Born as Princess Sophie in Prussia, she was groomed for marriage, and eventually wed Peter, who would become Tsar of Russia. Detesting him from the start, she seized her chance to overthrow and replace him, and, once in power, didn’t just rule, but reshaped Russia. A passionate advocate for the Enlightenment, she pursued extensive reforms in education, agriculture, and military strategies, as well as territorial expansions into Crimea, Belarus, and Lithuania.

In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly consider how criticism and jealousy of Catherine’s rule grew alongside her power and influence; unpick the reality of her seemingly colourful love life; and reveal how the gifts bestowed upon her ‘friends with benefits’ included jewellery, serfs, and, er, Poland…

Further Reading:

• ’Why Catherine the Great's Enemies Portrayed Her as a Sex Fiend’ (HISTORY, 2023): https://www.history.com/news/catherine-the-great-enemies-sex-myths

• ’Catherine The Great: True Story Of Her Rule, Husband, Affairs & Children’ (HistoryExtra, ) https://www.historyextra.com/period/early-modern/catherine-great-empress-russia-did-she-murder-her-husband-tsar-peter-helen-mirren-sky-atlantic/

• ‘Catherine The Great’ (HBO, 2019): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsjxeQpmTlM

We'll be back on Monday - unless you join 🌴CLUB RETROSPECTORS🌴, where we give you ad-free listening AND a full-length Sunday episode every week!Plus, weekly bonus content, unlock over 70 bonus bits, and support our independent podcast. Join now via Apple Podcasts or Patreon. Thanks!The Retrospectors are Olly Mann, Rebecca Messina & Arion McNicoll, with Matt Hill.Theme Music: Pass The Peas. Announcer: Bob Ravelli. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Edit Producer: Ollie Peart.Copyright: Rethink Audio / Olly Mann 2026.

This episode originally aired in 2024.

#1700s #Politics #Women #Russia
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Arion, Rebecca and Olly unearth the origins of iconic board-game Monopoly, marketed across the United States by Parker Brothers on 5th November, 1935.

Its roots lay in a game designed by Quaker feminist Lizzie Magie in 1902, intended to illustrate the theories of political economist Henry George. Her concept, called "The Landlord's Game," intended to demonstrate the unfairness of the land system. But, though home-made versions spread across the States, the game was only picked up for official distribution after being spotted by entrepreneur Charles Darrow in Atlantic City.

In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly reveal how little Magie was financially compensated, despite having a patent on the game; explain why the London version of the board has been played in more territories than the Atlantic City version; and consider the merits of spin-offs Gayopoly, Drinkopoly, and even the ‘Love Actually’ version…

Further Reading:

• ‘Lizzie Magie invented Monopoly, so why haven’t we heard of her?’ (The Guardian, 2015): https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/apr/10/lizzie-magie-invented-monopoly-landlords-game

• ‘The Game of Monopoly is Patented’ (Library of Congress, 2010): https://guides.loc.gov/this-month-in-business-history/december/game-of-monopoly-patent#:~:text=Charles%20B.,Parker%20Brothers%20bought%20the%20game

• ‘The surprising history behind the board game "Monopoly"’ (CBS, 2015): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mz5H0cg2uXs

Love the show? Support us!

Join 🌴CLUB RETROSPECTORS🌴to DITCH THE ADS and get an additional full-length episode each SUNDAY…

… Plus, get weekly bonus bits, and unlock over 100 bits of extra content.

Join now with a free trial on Apple Podcasts or Patreon and support our show ❤️

The Retrospectors are Olly Mann, Rebecca Messina & Arion McNicoll, with Matt Hill.

Theme Music: Pass The Peas. Announcer: Bob Ravelli. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Edit Producer: Ollie Peart.

Copyright: Rethink Audio / Olly Mann 2026.

This episode originally aired in 2023.

#1900s #Games #Women #US
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