American Society for the Abolition of Capital Punishment formed-1846
William Kremmler was first criminal to be put to death by electricity.
In 1935, 199 people were lawfully executed in the U.S..
The last public executions were: Rainey Bethea, black male, for rape, Kentucky, 1936, 28,000 spectators
Rosco Jackson, white male, (crime unknown) Missouri, 1937, 500 spectators
Gary Gilmore was executed in Utah, by firing squad—1977
Oklahoma was first to pass lethal injection bill—1977
Territory of Michigan abolish hanging in favor of life imprisonment, for all crimes except treason—1846
Of 3,944 persons lawfully executed (1930-1989), 2,113 were black.