A history of hangings, firing squads and electric chairs

1608

Captain George Kendall, convicted of spying, is subject of first recorded execution in America. Other crimes punishable by death include stealing grapes and killing chickens.

1636

The first death penalty statutes are recorded, for offences such as idolatry and witchcraft.

1890

William Kemmler becomes the first person to sit in the electric chair, in New York.

Early 1900s

A new “progressive period” of reform leads to abolition of death penalty in nine states. But executions reached an all-time peak in the 1930s, averaging 167 per year.

1950s

As countries in Europe abolish capital punishment, many in the US begin to question its morality and legality. The number of executions drops.

1960s

Support for executions falls to all-time low in 1966. In 1967, executions virtually cease.

1976

In Furman v Georgia, US Supreme Court rules that the arbitrary application of the death penalty is unconstitutional but the following week the court reverses its decision. This allows the wave of executions still rolling today.

1977

In January in Utah, Gary Gilmore, convicted of murder, is executed by firing squad, America’s first execution after a 10-year moratorium.

1982

Charles Brooks becomes first person to be executed by lethal injection.

1994

President Clinton signs a bill making dozens of federal crimes punishable by death. In 2001, the Oklahoma bomber Timothy McVeigh becomes the first federal prisoner to be executed.

1999

Pope John Paul II visits Missouri and calls for abolition. A UN Human Rights Commission resolution calls for a worldwide moratorium.

June 2004

New York declares death penalty unconstitutional. Number of executions begins to fall.

2 December 2005

Kenneth Boyd is 1,000th executed since 1976.

13 December 2005

Stanley ‘Tookie’ Williams executed.

14 December 2005

John Nixon, 77, set to be 60th execution this year.

Via: www.independent.co.uk

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