Amelia Jewett ‘27
Everyone living in the area knows about the insane traffic and crowded streets of Salem, Massachusetts during the month of October. The parades, tours, and shopping all revolve around the famous history regarding the town from the Salem Witch Trials. But have you ever wondered how and why this event has become so famous? Why have these awful trials and persecutions become commercialized tourist attractions?
In case you are unaware, the Salem Witch Trials were a series of hearings and prosecutions that accused over 200 people of “witchcraft.” These events occurred in colonial Massachusetts between February 1692 and May 1693.
The trials provided many lessons in American history. According to History.com, the trials became a “cautionary tale” as the people prosecuted had none of the legal protections we enjoy today. The trials held the view of “guilty until proven innocent” and the accused also were not given the right to a defensive council. While the Bill of Rights that states these protections would not be written for another hundred years, the lack of such freedoms in the trials gives an example of how messed up things can get when basic rights aren’t offered in legal proceedings. These events also demonstrate injustice and intolerance in American history, which have helped to shape our current forms of court and justice.
The city of Salem has taken it upon itself to create the ideal location for tourism and embrace the culture of witchcraft all year round. From the historical sights, to tours, shops, parades, and museums, you can find everything relating to the paranormal world here, making it the ideal destination for Halloween. According to an article from WCBV 5, in October of 2022, nearly 1 million people visited Salem’s downtown. Based on an interview with investigative journalist Kathyrn Miles, about 35% of Salem’s annual economy comes in the month of October alone. The effort the town and its citizens put into creating such a lively celebration is another key reason this city is so popular.
The exact answer to what has made this city such a worldwide icon involves many factors including the morals it brought, the uniqueness of the situation, and the tourism industry it has created. Though, without question, visiting Salem during the spooky season is an amazing experience. But, learning about the Salem Witch Trials is also necessary to understand the rich history that surrounds us. If you have the time to sit in a bit of traffic, it is worth heading to Salem and seeing the Halloween capital for yourself.
