Today in History
|
Today in History |
|
August 19, 1692 |
On August 19, 1692, five people, one woman and four men, were executed by hanging for the crime of witchcraft in Salem, Massachussetts. The five, Susannah Martin, George Burroughs, John Willard, George Jacobes, and John Proctor were caught up in the hysteria caused by a strange affliction of young women in the town. The first accused and arrested were social outcasts and of African descent, but as the literal witch-hunt spread, those who were arrested were upstanding citizens of Salem village, numbering as high as 62 at one point. Some were tortured into confession. The public examination for witchcraft involved accusers and "spectral evidence". In all, 19 people were executed before the end of the trials.
|
