Today In History with The Retrospectors

Happy 75th birthday, 'Peanuts'🎂!

October 2nd, 1950 was the debut of Charles Schulz's iconic comic strip.

Today, we dig into how Schulz's unique approach set the standard for comics for decades to come👇

A mugshot of Carlos the Jackal.

On this day in history: Carlos the Jackal is caught in Khartoum, convalescing following surgery to increase his sperm count.

Caught because an agent recognised not him, but his bodyguard.

(Excellently covered by @theretrospectors.bsky.social)

#historysky #onthisday #history

Capturing Carlos The Jackal Today In History with The Retrospectors · Episode

The world's most infamous wanted terrorist - Carlos the Jackal - was sedated and kidnapped by French intelligence agents in Khartoum, Sudan, on this day in 1994.

We tell the tale, in 10 minutes, wherever you get podcasts. Or click here to listen now:

Let's Build Central Park Today In History with The Retrospectors · Episode

And if THAT doesn't tickle your fancy, check out Monday's 10-minute potted history of Central Park:

The World's First Motor Race Today In History with The Retrospectors · Episode

And while you're at it, why not catch up on yesterday's episode, all about the 1894 Paris–Rouen "horseless carrriage race" - the world's first motor race.

Inside The Molly House Today In History with The Retrospectors · Episode

We have an amazing episode for you today, all about the "gay scene" in 18th century London, where "molly houses" like Mother Clap’s offered refuge, community and sanctuary from puritanical morality laws.

Listen here: open.spotify.com/episode/3ZIH...

Defeat of the Great White Hope 🥊 Today In History with The Retrospectors · Episode

One of the most explosive events in sporting history took place on this day in 1910, when Black heavyweight Jack Johnson took on the "Great White Hope", Jim Jeffries.

In today's episode, we explore the fight so controversial that cinemas were banned from screening the footage:

'Nureyev's 'Leap To Freedom' Today In History with The Retrospectors · Episode

And while you're at it, why not catch up on yesterday's episode - all about the day Soviet ballet star Rudolf Nureyev made a desperate break for freedom at a Paris airport:

The Arrival Of Lady Liberty Today In History with The Retrospectors · Episode

The Statue of Liberty first arrived in the US #onthisday in 1885 - packed into 214 crates.

In today's episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly delve into history of "Lady Liberty", a beloved but complex symbol of America's past, present and future:

Meet Donald Duck Today In History with The Retrospectors · Episode

And while you're at it, why not catch up on yesterday's episode, in which - hoo, boy!! - we delve into the history of Donald Duck.

The Very First 'Boat Race' Today In History with The Retrospectors · Episode

The first Oxford vs. Cambridge Boat Race took place #onthisday in 1829 - and it all began as a light-hearted bet between two pals.

In today's episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly race through almost 200 years of boating escapades in just 10 minutes:

Digging Up Josef Mengele Today In History with The Retrospectors · Episode

#OnThisDay in 1985, Brazilian police dug up the grave of one "Wolfgang Gerhard", on the suspicion - later confirmed - that he was actually notorious Auschwitz "Angel of Death" Josef Mengele.

In today's episode, Mengele's escape from Nazi Germany and 20 years on the run in South America:

The Woman Who Shot Andy Warhol Today In History with The Retrospectors · Episode

Radical feminist playwright Valerie Solanas attempted to assassinate pop artist Andy Warhol at the Factory #onthisday in 1968.

In today's episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly explain how these two figures of 1960s counter-cultural ended up face-to-face at opposite ends of a gun:

Fan-Dancing, Dwarfism and Microwaves Today In History with The Retrospectors · Episode

And on Tuesday, we talked about the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair, where wowed Americans flocked to see babies in incubators, racy fan-dancing... and a miraculous new technology called the "microwave".

Listen here:

Here Comes The Spanish Armada Today In History with The Retrospectors · Episode

And while you're at it, why not catch up on yesterday's episode - a 10-minute gallop through everything you didn't know about the Spanish Armada:

The First Bank Holiday Today In History with The Retrospectors · Episode

The "bank holiday" was born on this day in 1871, thanks to an eccentric liberal MP called Sir John Lubbock - or, as grateful workers would brand him, "Saint Lubbock".

Arion, Rebecca and Olly explain all - including Lubbock's less successful project: teaching his poodle to read.

Listen now:

The Accidental Vibrator Today In History with The Retrospectors · Episode

When Hitachi launched their ‘personal massager’ #onthisday in 1968, they had no idea that they were about to go, um, down in sex toy history....

Arion, Rebecca and Olly tell all, in ten minutes:

Beau Brummell: Dandy on the Run Today In History with The Retrospectors · Episode

In today's episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly track the highs and lows of iconic dandy Beau Brummell - who fled to France #onthisday in 1816 to escape his eye-watering debts.

🎧👇

Launch of the Sky Girls Today In History with The Retrospectors · Episode

Ellen Church became the first ever air stewardess #onthisday in 1930.

A licensed airplane pilot, when she was informed airlines would not hire a female pilot, she invented a whole new job.

We tell the remarkable story of the first air stewardesses:

The $8billion 'Kill Switch' Today In History with The Retrospectors · Episode

‘WannaCry’, the biggest cyberattack the world has ever seen, was stopped in its tracks #onthisday in 2017 - by a 22-year-old British blogger who found a 'kill switch'.

Arion, Rebecca and Olly tell the tale, in 10 minutes:

Victory Day For Housewives Today In History with The Retrospectors · Episode

Our #VEDay week continues, with today's episode about "Victory Day for Housewives" - the day rationing in Britain finally came to an end, NINE YEARS after VE Day...

Listen here:

Victory Day For Housewives Today In History with The Retrospectors · Episode

Our #VEDay week continues, with today's episode about "Victory Day for Housewives" - the day rationing in Britain finally came to an end, NINE YEARS after VE Day...

Listen here:

What You Didn't Know About VE Day Today In History with The Retrospectors · Episode

In honour of #VEDay, we have a Retrospectors special on the day itself. Find out why:

💫 the German surrender was actually signed twice
💫 the name "Ceasefire Day" was rejected
💫 Winston Churchill worried about London's beer supplies

Listen here:

What You Didn't Know About VE Day Today In History with The Retrospectors · Episode

In honour of #VEDay, we have a Retrospectors special on the day itself. Find out why:

💫 the German surrender was actually signed twice
💫 the name "Ceasefire Day" was rejected
💫 Winston Churchill worried about London's beer supplies

Listen here:

Hanging Lord Haw Haw Today In History with The Retrospectors · Episode

Nazi propagandist William Joyce, best known to British radio listeners as ‘Lord Haw Haw’, was hanged by Albert Pierrepoint at Wandsworth Prison #onthisday in 1946.

In today's episode, we explore how an American fascist became the voice of Nazi Germany:

Hanging Lord Haw Haw Today In History with The Retrospectors · Episode

Nazi propagandist William Joyce, best known to British radio listeners as ‘Lord Haw Haw’, was hanged by Albert Pierrepoint at Wandsworth Prison #onthisday in 1946.

In today's episode, we explore how an American fascist became the voice of Nazi Germany:

Never In The Field Of Human Conflict Today In History with The Retrospectors · Episode

And today, we delve into Winston Churchill's famous speeches - we explore how he laboured for hours over each sentence, why his words played such a crucial role in boosting national morale, and how they transformed Churchill himself from divisive politician to unifying leader.

🎧🎧🎧:

World War Two's Weirdest Battle Today In History with The Retrospectors · Episode

To mark V.E. Day, all this week we're sharing some of our favourite WWII episodes - as well as a brand new episode on the weird and wonderful history of V.E. Day itself.

We started with the bizarre battle which saw American GIs, German soldiers and French prisoners fighting on the same side:

Land Rover's Rugged Beginnings Today In History with The Retrospectors · Episode

The Land Rover made its debut #onthisday in 1948 at the Amsterdam Motor Show.

Made with the scraps that post-war Britain had to offer, it was supposed to tide Rover over until the luxury car market recovered - instead, it became an icon of British motoring.

🎧We explain all, in 10 minutes:

Mutiny On The Bounty Today In History with The Retrospectors · Episode

The most famous mutiny in history kicked off #onthisday in 1789, when Captain William Bligh was unceremoniously turfed off his ship in an uprising led by his former friend, Fletcher Christian.

In 10 minutes, Arion, Rebecca and Olly explain how things went south on the Bounty: