This Day in Halloween: William Burke is hanged in 1829 for his role in the Burke & Hare body snatcher murders in Edinburgh, Scotland. / Illustration by Caitlin Navo
Convicted murderer William Burke is hanged in 1829 for his role in the Burke and Hare body snatcher murders in Edinburgh, Scotland. The crowd is estimated to be as large as 25,000 people. The facts and legend of the murder spree would inspire numerous books, plays and films.
