Drift off to the complete history of the Salem Witch Trials. In 1692, a wave of mass hysteria swept through the Puritan community of Salem, Massachusetts — leading to the accusation, trial, and execution of 20 people on charges of witchcraft.

Covered: The religious world of Puritan New England, the first accusations by Betty Parris and Abigail Williams, the special court and spectral evidence, the major figures (John Proctor, Tituba, Cotton Mather, Judge Samuel Sewall), the hangings on Gallows Hill, the end of the hysteria, and the long road to exoneration.

✦ 2-hour deep dive ✦ Calm narration ✦ American colonial history for sleep

Sleepless History is an educational sleep podcast covering American history, famous historical events, and colonial history — made to help you fall asleep.