The history of the death penalty dates far back in history. It is said that the first established death penalty laws date back to the Eighteenth Century B.C. in the Code of King Hammurabi of Babylon. The penalty also dates back to the Fifth Century B.C.’s Roman Law of the Twelve Tablets. During these periods, the death penalty was carried out by crucifixion, drowning, beating to death, burning alive, and impalement. 

Flash forward in history, and we arrive at the first recorded execution in the new colonies. In 1608, the first execution took place and was of Captain George Kendall in the Jamestown colony of Virginia for being a spy for Spain. As time passed, more colonies began to join in on this form of punishment. In 1630, Massachusetts Bay Colony held its first execution.

Over time, there have been numerous petitions and movements attempting to abolish the death penalty and reform this political system in the United States. Certain states have passed bills banning the death penalty in their states. Twenty-three states in America have banned the death penalty, and among these 23 states, 11 of them abolished the death penalty after 2004. Support for the death penalty has also been steadily decreasing over the years. In 2022, only 55 percent of Americans said they were in favor of the death penalty, whereas in 2012 64 percent said they support it.