Salem has long been known as the Witch City for the infamous witchcraft trials of 1692, a terrible period in American history that has nothing at all to do with Halloween.

In the summer of 1692, 28 innocent people living in and around Salem were accused by a gang of teenage girls of tormenting them through witchcraft. In a matter of weeks, following a series of inquisitions and trials, 19 were hanged and one man was pressed to death under stones with the demand that he confess to being a sorcerer. Many others who were accused died in prison.

The Salem Witch Trial Memorial is perhaps the most affecting site in town. In 1992, the 300th anniversary of the Witch Trials, a stone memorial to those who were executed was built beside the Old Burying Point cemetery. Inspired by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and dedicated by Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel, the memorial’s simple stones incorporate words spoken by the accused during their tortuous “examinations” and trials:

“In your hands, Oh Lord, help me.”

“God knows I am innocent.”

“I can deny it to my dying day.”

“If I would confess, I should save my life.”

“I am wholly innocent of such wickedness.”

“I do plead not guilty.”

“I am no witch.”

kimbrie@projo.com