Innocent young women (and men) were executed in Salem witch hunt 3 centuries ago

Rachel Christ-Doane, director of education at Salem Witch Museum talks about the historical significance of Salem, Massachusetts, the scene of the largest and most lethal witch hunt in American history.

In the late 1600s, during a tumultuous period of economic decline, war and extreme weather, 19 people were found guilty of witchcraft and executed.

Most were innocent young women who didn't fit into the social norms of the time and were falsely accused of an imaginary crime.

Since then, Salem has become known as a 'witch city' and is the centre for thousands of practitioners of the Wiccan faith.

For more, watch Coven a feature documentary now streaming on CBC Gem.