-
In Salem Village, several young girls, including Betty Parris and Abigail Williams, begin having unexplained fits and outbursts. Local doctors claim the cause is witchcraft, leading the girls to accuse members of the community.
-
The first accused Tituba, Sarah Good, and Sarah Osborne are arrested and questioned. Tituba confesses to practicing witchcraft and claims others are involved, causing panic to spread and more accusations to follow.
-
Over the summer, trials move quickly. Nineteen people are hanged, and Giles Corey is pressed to death for refusing to enter a plea. Many others are jailed while awaiting trial.
-
Governor William Phips establishes the Court of Oyer and Terminer to deal with the growing number of witchcraft cases. The court allows spectral evidence, which means people could be convicted based on visions or dreams.
-
Growing doubt about the fairness of the trials leads Governor Phips to dissolve the court in October.
-
Remaining prisoners are released in 1693 and years later the colony officially admits the trials were a mistake.