On December 26, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln ordered the execution of 38 Dakota men who were proven guilty of committing civilian massacres.
This marked the largest mass hanging in U.S. history and there were roughly 4,000 spectators.
This was a consequence of the U.S. and Dakota War of 1862, which arose from broken treaties and promises.
77 U.S. soldiers died in the war against Dakota warriors. The U.S. captured 2,000 Dakota leaders who were taken into custody. Many were eventually sentenced to prison and some were sentenced to death.
Critics claimed the trials were unfair. Lincoln modified the criteria for death sentences and the executions proceeded.
This event occurred amidst the aftermath of a war fought with a sovereign nation.
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