in greece, the condemned were sealed inside a bronze bulb, which when set on fire would pour smoke from the nostrils while the person inside roasted to death. in england, prisoners were drawn and quartered with horses pulling people apart, limb by limb. france famously used the guillotine, responding to the chant "off with their heads." for a long time, the method of choice in america was hanging. >> in the united states, the first recorded execution was in 1608 in jamestown, virginia. over the years, hangings became great social event, great source of entertainment. people brought picnics. teachers would bring the students. parents would bring the kids. there was a choir, a band. >> executions were public because they were consider a ritual whose goal wato deter the populace. >> but our history of executions also included a dark side.