Ready to launch your business? Get started with the commerce platform made for entrepreneurs.

Shopify is specially designed to help you start, run and grow your business with easy, customizable themes that let you build your brand, marketing tools that get your products out there.

Integrated shipping solutions that actually save you time. From startups to scaleups, online, in person and on the go.

Shopify is made for entrepreneurs like you.

Sign up for your $1 a month trial at Shopify.com slash setup.

I'm struggling with how to write this intro. I have two objectives, each at odds in terms of tone.

One, I want to wish you a Happy New Year, but two, I also want to introduce you to one of the most horrifying stories of injustice I've covered.

I'm finding it tough to pull off smooth segways, so I'm just going to stop trying. Instead, we're going to do this in two parts. Part one. Happy New Year from me and everyone behind the scenes here at History Daily. I want to thank you for listening and making this show part of your daily routine. You know, our world is changing so fast, and not all of it for the better. So it's wonderful to know that there's a constant out there,

and I'm glad History Daily can be that for you.

And I want to make sure you know that I feel the same,

knowing you're out there listening every day.

So here's to 2026, and may the change that comes sweep away your discomforts,

and the things you treasure remain with you always.

All right.

Part two.

Some of us will remember the satanic panic of the 1980s, a rash of unsubstantiated claims that

secret networks of Satanists were engaging in mass ritual abuse and murder, especially

of children.

Metal music and role-playing games were targeted as corrupting influences,

and thousands of individuals were suspected of horrible crimes.

Today, it's all a bit of a joke.

Who really thinks Dungeons and Dragons is evil?

...