Who is a Martyr? And how did they die?

Question

who are some martyrs that have passed on? anyone in the course of history? in books or movies?

Answer 1

Thomas Hansford, First Native Martyr to American Liberty.  Was hanged during Bacon's Rebellion.

Answer 2

many martyrs are represented in the Catholic Church as saints.  

Jesus was a martyr, but also St Sebastian, St Jude (who was crucified) and St Peter (crucified upside down) and St Andrew (St Peter's brother).  More recently, Tiffany Johnson and Philip Crouse were shot at a missionary training center in Colorado in December 2007.

Answer 3

well, saint cecilia was a martyr. they did all manner of strange things to her. I think there is a cut off point for martyrs...as in they were religious believers in the middle ages but the time frame may be up. I don't think that recent events allow certain individuals to be included as martyrs. the literal interpretation of martyr would include people that have furthered the beliefs and causes of others and died because of it. However this is not a very contemporary idea and runs unto problems. In fact the interpretation is a bit difficult of the term after such events as 9/11 the holocaust etc

Answer 4

The most obvious one is Jesus. Others that come to mind are

William the Silent-He was assassinated while trying to unite the Dutch people

Martin Luther King Jr.-He was killed too