100 WVIA Way
Pittston, PA 18640

Phone: 570-826-6144
Fax: 570-655-1180

Copyright © 2025 WVIA, all rights reserved. WVIA is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

The Largest Mass Hanging in American History

Season 1 Episode 1 | 4m 26s

While the Civil War is unfolding, another conflict is exploding out west: The Dakota War. When promised food fails to arrive, starving Native Americans rise up against American settlers. The uprising is put down, and 303 Native Americans are found guilty of murder. President Lincoln reviews their cases and selects 38 men to be executed in what will be the largest mass hanging in American history.

Major funding for CRIME AND PUNISHMENT IN AMERICA was provided by The Atlantic Philanthropies, Emerson Collective, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and the Park Foundation. Major funding was also provided by the following members of The Better Angels Society: The Fullerton Family Charitable Fund; The Just Trust for Education; Allan and Shelley Holt; The Tow Foundation; and the Sozosei Foundation. Additional support was provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities, The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, the William R. Kenan Jr. Charitable Trust, Ford Foundation | JustFilms, and by The Better Angels Society members: John and Catherine Debs; Timothy Fazio; Lise Strickler and Mark Gallogly; the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund (Laurie M. Tisch Foundation Inc); Gilchrist and Amy Berg; the Carson Family Charitable Trust; Mauree Jane and Mark W. Perry; the Segal Family Foundation; and Mark A. Tracy.
Extras
For 250 years, Americans wrestle with crime, punishment and the meaning of justice. Premieres 11/16.
For 250 years, Americans wrestle with crime, punishment and the meaning of justice. Premieres 11/16.
The Founding Father Benjamin Rush offers a new form of punishment: the world's first penitentiary.
The House of Refuge is the nation's first institution for the reformation of juvenile delinquents.
When a crime is committed, should we look to punish or to move forward toward healing?
During the Reconstruction Era, an outlaw captures the public's attention: Jesse James.
There has always been a fascination with those that commit crimes and how they're punished for them.
Austin Reed recounts his experiences over two decades of being incarcerated in Auburn Prison.
The new head guard at Auburn Prison establishes a new strict regimen of efficiency and order.
Latest Episodes
Some colonists argue that public punishments make “bad men worse” and look for an alternative.