The article presents a countdown of the top 10 most infamous real-life executions in history, as ordered by the state or government. The list includes:
10. Ernst Kaltenbrunner, a high-ranking Nazi officer executed by hanging in 1946 for his role in the concentration camps.
9. Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, American citizens executed by electric chair in 1953 for espionage on behalf of the Soviet Union.
8. Sir William Wallace, a Scottish rebel leader executed by hanging, drawing, and quartering in 1305 for treason.
7. Guy Fawkes, a conspirator in the Gunpowder Plot, executed by hanging and quartering in 1606 for treason.
6. Anne Boleyn, the wife of Henry VIII, executed by beheading in 1536 for adultery, incest, and treason.
5. Marie Antoinette, the Queen of France, executed by guillotine in 1793 for treason during the French Revolution.
4. Ted Bundy, an American serial killer, executed by electric chair in 1989 for multiple murders.
3. Saddam Hussein, the President of Iraq, executed by hanging in 2006 for crimes against humanity.
2. Joan of Arc, a French heroine, executed by burning at the stake in 1431 for heresy and cross-dressing.
1. Jesus, a preacher in the 1st century AD, executed by crucifixion for blasphemy, considered one of the most influential moments in history.
The article also mentions honorable mentions, including Timothy McVeigh and Gary Gilmore.
Here are the key facts:
1. Ernst Kaltenbrunner was a high-ranking official with the SS.
2. He was believed to have direct knowledge of the workings of concentration camps.
3. Kaltenbrunner was charged with conspiracy to commit war crimes and crimes against humanity.
4. He was sentenced to death and executed by hanging on October 16th, 1946.
5. Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were charged with passing along information about the atomic bomb to the Soviet Union.
6. They were found guilty of espionage and executed by electric chair.
7. Sir William Wallace was a leading member of the Scottish rebellion against England.
8. He was betrayed and turned over to the English in 1305.
9. Wallace was tried for treason and sentenced to be executed.
10. He was dragged naked through the streets, strangled by hanging, emasculated, disemboweled, decapitated, and drawn and quartered.
11. The four parts of his dismembered body were sent to Newcastle, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Stirling.
12. Guy Fawkes was a member of a group of English Catholics who attempted to blow up Parliament with gunpowder in 1605.
13. The main goal of the Gunpowder Plot was to kill King James and replace him with his nine-year-old daughter Princess Elizabeth.
14. The plot was uncovered, and Fawkes was captured, tortured, and sentenced to death by hanging and quartering.
15. Anne Boleyn was married to Henry VIII for three years.
16. She was eventually charged with adultery, incest, and treason.
17. Anne Boleyn was beheaded on May 19, 1530.
18. Marie Antoinette was faulted for the economic crisis in France at the time due to her extravagant expenditures.
19. She was placed under house arrest with the rest of the royal family.
20. Marie Antoinette was charged with treason and executed by guillotine in 1793.
21. Ted Bundy admitted to being responsible for killing 30 women throughout the 1970s.
22. He was captured in Florida and received three death sentences.
23. Bundy was executed by electric chair on January 24, 1989.
24. Saddam Hussein served as the fifth president of Iraq for over 20 years.
25. He was widely condemned in the Western world due to his brutality, including killing political opponents and using chemical weapons against his own people.
26. Saddam was captured and hanged in 2003.
27. Joan of Arc helped lead the French people to victory in several battles against the English during the Hundred Years War.
28. She was eventually betrayed and handed over to the English by the Burgundians.
29. Joan of Arc was tried on several charges, including cross-dressing, and sentenced to death.
30. She was burned at the stake at just 19 years old.
31. Jesus was a preacher in the 1st century AD.
32. His teachings angered many of the religious leaders in Judea.
33. Jesus was betrayed by Judas, one of his disciples, and handed over to the Romans.
34. He was sentenced to death by Pontius Pilate and crucified in Jerusalem.