This week we are covering the Salem Witch Trials. In the spring of 1692, several girls in Salem Village began experiencing “fits” and were diagnosed with “bewitchment”. This led to the real-life witch hunt to find the people responsible for afflicting the young girls. Over several months, more young women and girls began exhibiting similar symptoms and having similar fits. Between 1692 and 1693, over 200 people were accused of witchcraft, between 140 and 150 people were arrested, and 20 people were executed.
Sources:
“The Salem Witch Trials Memorial”, SalemWitchMuseum.com, https://salemwitchmuseum.com/locations/witch-trials-memorial/, accessed Oct 19, 2025.
Brooks, Rebecca Beatrice, “Gallows Hill in Salem, Massachusetts”, History of Massachusetts Blog, Oct 20, 2012, https://historyofmassachusetts.org/where-is-the-real-gallows-hill/, accessed Oct 19, 2025.
History.com Editors, “Salem Witch Trials”, History.com, Nov 4, 2011, https://www.history.com/articles/salem-witch-trials, accessed Oct 19, 2025.
Wallenfeldt, Jeff, “The Trials”, Britannica.com, July 20, 1998, https://www.britannica.com/event/Salem-witch-trials/The-trials, accessed Oct 19, 2025.
Brooks, Rebecca Beatrice, “The Salem Witch Trials Victims: Who Were They?”, History of Massachusetts Blog, Aug 19, 2015, https://historyofmassachusetts.org/salem-witch-trials-victims/, accessed Oct 19, 2025.
Brooks, Rebecca Beatrice, “The Witchcraft Trial of Giles Corey”, History of Massachusetts Blog, Oct 12, 2011, https://historyofmassachusetts.org/the-curse-of-giles-corey/, accessed Oct 19, 2025.
Brooks, Rebecca Beatrice, “The Witchcraft Trial of Sarah Good”, History of Massachusetts Blog, Oct 20, 2011, https://historyofmassachusetts.org/sarah-good-accused-witch/, accessed Oct 19, 2025.