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In May–October 1692, in the town of [[Salem]], in [[Massachusetts]] Bay Colony, several girls reported they were possessed by [[devil]]s; they accused three women of witchcraft. The community was profoundly alarmed and held investigations and trials. All three along with sixteen other accused witches were hanged. Nearly 150 people were imprisoned.  No one was burned to death.

In May–October 1692, in the town of [[Salem]], in [[Massachusetts]] Bay Colony, several girls reported they were possessed by [[devil]]s; they accused three women of witchcraft. The community was profoundly alarmed and held investigations and trials. All three along with sixteen other accused witches were hanged. Nearly 150 people were imprisoned.  No one was burned to death.

The government realized it was in error and stopped the trials. The episode permanently marked Salem, and to this day it is a favorite gathering place for people enamored of witchcraft.  Famous [[American]] writer [[Nathaniel Hawthorne]], who wrote the novel against [[Puritan]] [[morality]] called the ''[[The Scarlett Letter]]'', was born in Salem and direct descendant of the presiding judge, and Hawthorne's work was inspired by his view that his family was cursed due to its role.  Hawthorne's own father died at sea when Hawthorne was only 4 years old.

The government realized it was in error and stopped the trials. The episode permanently marked Salem, and to this day it is a favorite gathering place for people enamored of witchcraft.  Famous [[American]] writer [[Nathaniel Hawthorne]], who wrote the novel against [[Puritan]] [[morality]] called the ''[[The Scarlett Letter]]'', was born in Salem and a direct descendant of the presiding judge, and Hawthorne felt his family was cursed due to its role.  Hawthorne's own father died at sea when Hawthorne was only 4 years old.

The Salem Witch Trials happened in a time period a little longer than one year.  By contrast, during the European [[Witch trials in the early modern period]], people were put on trial and some were executed over more than a 300 year period.

The Salem Witch Trials happened in a time period a little longer than one year.  By contrast, during the European [[Witch trials in the early modern period]], people were put on trial and some were executed over more than a 300 year period.