History's Greatest Mysteries: The Salem Witch Trials Cause Darkness and Death (Season 5)

In 1692, fear rips through the small town of Salem, Massachusetts. See more in this clip from Season 5, Episode 15, "The Salem Witch Trials."

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The HISTORY® Channel is the leading destination for award-winning original series and specials that connect viewers with history in an informative, immersive, and entertaining manner across all platforms. The network’s all-original programming slate features a roster of hit series, premium documentaries, and scripted event programming. History’s Greatest Mysteries is a one-hour documentary series that examines the top theories surrounding the world’s most enigmatic unsolved mysteries. Hosted and narrated by Academy Award® nominee and Emmy Award® winner Laurence Fishburne, each episode unpacks these puzzles with contributions from top historians, authors, scientists, and researchers. From unsolved crimes to lost and buried treasures, and the deaths and disappearances of famous figures, History’s Greatest Mysteries will explore possible explanations to some of the world’s most confounding events.

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[CamAdajar]

I love how Tituba just didn't want to back down! She was like "I won't be the only one going down this ridiculous trial! I'm bringing everyone with me." LOL

[winterr.m]

Very sad fact: the youngest to be accused and imprisoned was a 4 year old girl named Dorothy good. She was jailed alongside her mother, Sarah good, who was hanged after giving birth in prison. Dorothy spent 10 months in jail and upon her release, was severely traumatized and psychologically damaged. She wouldn’t be able to live a normal life and had to be put in the care of other people for the rest of her life

[coolesteagles]

Never under estimate the power of stupid people in large groups - George Carlin

[bradcox]

The funny thing is, the more I researched into the people of that time, the more I realize that everybody was really involved in some type of old country folk divination. Folks just knew to keep it on the down low as they say. My family mostly comes from Scotland, Ireland, and the rural back country areas of England...so doing things "the old way" is still frequent in my family (I myself practice auld tyme Celtic religion). Three of my ancestors did die in the Salem witch trials but due to the fact that Mary Bradbury avoided being lynched is the reason why I live today. I love your video by the way.
🍀💚🍀

[sharrielee]

Absolutely nothing happened to those little liars😮 they caused a complete uproar of hysterics in an already suspicious community.. pitting everyone against each other when all in all it was a fabrication of a lie that's it an unfortunate turn of events that cost their neighbors their lives😮 truly horrible for what they've done 😔

[Bobbyo]

Rebecca Nurse is a direct descendant of mine, and was hung at the age of 72 . A victim of the Salem witch trials.

[فاطمةالخيديوي]

Finally something to watch and enjoy on your day off thanks history channel …

[WaiferThyme]

I was born with a large mole on my left side . During the trials, the judges called moles like that the devils nipple. I totally would have been killed for a witch.

[starsign]

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why it's important to question things. We still haven't learned our lessons. Unfortunately, we still behave like a herd of sheep and get lost in the storytelling of events, without once questioning who benefits from these narratives.

[jeffreychandler]

A very informative history, presented here. However, it is very sad that hysteria, proliferated like a plague!

[JaysonTripp-rd]

My ancestors 🧹🪄 Cheers from Massachusetts 🇺🇸🍻

[sophiaisabelle]

This is a comprehensive run down of events that is immersive in nature.

[ToxicCatt-yc]

tbh, i feel like nothing has changed in humanity since this happened. this type of stuff still goes on in our modern days times. its just on social media now. minus the lynchings.

[mrbubetube]

IMDB website says there is also an episode of History's Mysteries titled "Salem Witch Trials" S5E1 from 2002.
Writer: Rob Blumenstein
Stars: David Ackroyd, David Goss, Ronald Hutton
Might be interesting to watch these two episodes back to back.

[AmberForeman-zpsz]

I always wanted to move to Salem, Massachusetts. I love the history of it even tho it's very sad because a lot of women were falsely accused and tortured 😢🧡🙏🏾

[daniellemcintaggart]

I am related to Margaret Scott she was the oldest women murdered at the salem witch trials and she even has a stone in memory of her in main part of town where the other stones are

[katjaanderson]

Ordered into making the accusations: children did not dare disobey their parents then!

[sakshambhadoria]

Salem witch trials are a grim reminder of how religious fervor, paranoia about the supernatural and a justice system which prioritises repentance over knowing the truth can destroy people's lives and bring shame to humanity. It also awares us about the pitfalls of scapegoating, group thinking and internal biases. A classic tale of tragedy and catastrophe when irrationality and insanity is patronized.

[Goodiesfanful]

Do you realise we don’t know what any of the Salemites looked like except Rev Parris? He had a miniature done when he was a businessman, but no portraits or drawings exist of the other Salemites. The images we have are artists’ impressions.