During the infamous Salem Witch Trials, which occurred in what is now Danvers, Massachusetts, in 1692 and 1693, 19 people were hanged for allegedly practicing witchcraft. The trials were sparked by a group of young women who accused several members of the community of afflicting them with supernatural harm. The evidence against the accused was often based on hearsay and speculation, and many innocent people were ultimately convicted and executed.
Hangings typically took place in public, and they were often attended by large crowds. The accused individuals were typically given a brief opportunity to speak before being hanged. After the execution, the bodies were left hanging for several days as a warning to others.
The Salem Witch Trials were eventually brought to an end after public sentiment began to turn against the proceedings. In 1693, the governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony issued a general pardon for all those who had been accused or convicted of witchcraft, and the trials were officially terminated.