Today in History is a daily newsletter from Britannica. (more) Today in History—March 26: Great Britain Passes the Murder Act Written by Tara Ramanathan Assistant Technology Editor at Encyclopedia Britannica. Tara Ramanathan Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors Last updated Mar. 23, 2026 •History In 1752 Britain decided that homicide was punishable by dissection. Today in History is a daily newsletter from Britannica.Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Want to learn more about what happened on March 26, or any other day of the year? Sign up to receive the newsletter in your inbox every morning. It was during the era of the Bloody Code—a series of British laws that made even the most minor crimes punishable by death—that Britain imposed the Murder Act....

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