Execution Facts - Historic Methods

Beheading

Once used widely across Europe and Asia, beheading was considered an honorable and swift execution method. The French guillotine, introduced in 1792, was designed for efficiency and used until 1977.

Capital Punishment

Capital punishment refers to the legal execution of someone convicted of a serious crime. Over 50 countries still allow it, though global use has steadily declined over the past 50 years.

Electric Chair

Introduced in the United States in the 1890s, the electric chair was seen as a more humane alternative to hanging. It has mostly been replaced by lethal injection but remains an option in a few states.

Firing Squad

Execution by firing squad involves multiple shooters aiming at the heart. It was used historically in military contexts and is still a legal method in a few U.S. states, though rarely used.

Hanging

One of the oldest known execution methods, hanging has been used for centuries in many legal systems. The technique varies from simple suspension to long-drop methods designed to break the neck instantly.

Lethal Injection

First used in 1982, lethal injection became the dominant method of execution in the United States. It typically uses a series of drugs to induce unconsciousness, paralysis, and cardiac arrest.

Public Executions

Until the 20th century, executions were often carried out in public squares. These events drew large crowds and were intended to serve as a warning, but are now outlawed in most countries.

Stoning

Stoning, a method of execution by throwing stones at the condemned, has ancient origins and is still practiced under certain legal codes in parts of the world, often sparking international criticism.

Unusual Methods

History records many rare execution methods, including boiling, crushing, and being sewn into animal skins. These were often used for political punishment or in ancient rituals.