In 1692, fear and paranoia swept the village of Salem and neighboring towns in colonial Massachusetts. Spurred by the "fits" of young girls, accusations of witchcraft spread far and wide. In all, more than 160 people were jailed, and many confessed to avoid trial. By the time the trials ended, at least 25 women and men had died: 19 were hanged, one was tortured to death, and five or more perished in prison.

The Salem witch hysteria continues to intrigue us today. Could it happen again? What would you do if you were accused? Explore the links below to find books and other resources about this dark period in American history.