On 22 September 1692, the final chapter of one of the darkest episodes in early American history was written as eight individuals were hanged for witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts.
This grim spectacle marked the end of the mass hysteria that had gripped the Puritan community, leading to a total of 19 executions by hanging and six other deaths, including those who perished in prison or under torture.
Salem witch trials had begun the previous year, fueled by superstition, fear, and religious zealotry, resulting in the wrongful condemnation of numerous innocent people.
These trials stand as a poignant reminder of the dangers of fanaticism and the miscarriage of justice, leaving a lasting scar on America's historical conscience.
