Capital Punishment

  • Jan 6, 900

    Hanging

    Hanging
    The first hanging was over 2,000 years ago. Hanging is one of the oldest methods of execution in America. However, it was later elimianted because it was often ineffecient and many would survive the hanging.
  • Firing Squad

    Firing Squad
    The firing squad is a method of execution where several people shoot the person but only one will kill them because the rest of the guns are false bullets. This helps those involved live with this act because they will not know whether or not they were the one who fired the fatal bullet. The firsrt person to be killed by the firing squad was Captain George Kendall in 1608.
  • Electric Chair created

    Electric Chair created
    The electric chair was created in 1888. It was a more efficient method of execution and was thought to be less cruel. (due to the 8th amendment which was passed in 1791)
  • The first electrocution

    The first electrocution
    The first execution was in 1890 in New York. William Kemmler was a murderer and was sentenced to death by electrocution.
  • Gas Chamber

    Gas Chamber
    Gee Jon was the first person to be executed using gas chamber, The person is locked in s chamber which is then filled with nitrogen gas. This menthod was thought to be more humane that other methods.
  • Lethal Injection

    Lethal Injection
    The first case of execution by lethal injection (3 drugs are administered one to numb them, one to paralyze, and one to stop the heart). It happened in Texas, a state that is known for the death penalty.
  • Last hanging

    Last hanging
    The last hanging execution of Bill Bailey.