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Ceremonies mark 325th anniversary of Salem witch trial executions

SALEM, Mass. — The victims of the Salem witch trials are being honored by two local communities Wednesday.

Salem and Danvers are holding separate ceremonies Wednesday to mark the 325th anniversary of the hangings of five women convicted of being witches.

Twenty people in all were killed.

Salem is scheduled to hold a ceremony at Proctor's Ledge where Sarah Good, Elizabeth Howe, Susannah Martin, Rebecca Nurse and Sarah Wildes were hanged as witches on July 19, 1692.

Proctor's Ledge was the site of the hangings.

A memorial at the site also will be dedicated.

The Salem News reports that a descendant of Nurse is scheduled to speak.

Nurse also will be honored at a ceremony at the Rebecca Nurse Homestead in Danvers.

Danvers used to be part of Salem known as Salem Village.