The Great Cat Massacre that occurred in Paris during the 1730s provides a snapshot of life during the Old Regime in France. In the Paris of the 1730s, a group of printing apprentices tortured and ritually killed all the cats they could find - including the pet of their master's wife. Why did they do this? Why did this violent ritual cause them so much amusement? This even highlights the culture and struggle that workers faced in the lead up to industrialization. More information: The Great Cat Massacre and Other Episodes in French Cultural History by Richard Darnton Twitter: @AndersonClay86