A massacre is a killing, typically of multiple victims, considered morally unacceptable, especially when perpetrated by a group of political actors against defenseless victims. The modern definition of massacre as “indiscriminate slaughter, carnage”, and the subsequent verb of this form, derive from late 16th century Middle French, evolved from Middle French “macacre, macecle” meaning “slaughterhouse, butchery.” There is no objective definition of what constitutes a “massacre”. Various international organizations have proposed a formal definition of the term “crimes against humanity”, which would however include incidents of persecution or abuse that do not result in deaths. Conversely, a “massacre” is not necessarily a “crime against humanity”. Other terms with overlapping scope include war crime, pogrom, and mass murder.
Chronological History of Massacres

Brazilian Police Kill Two Dozen In Deadliest Favela Raid In Rio’s History
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3 Mothers, 6 Children Slaughtered in Mormon Settlement in Mexico Near Border
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“Terrorizing the Populace”: Report Finds CIA-Backed Death Squads in Afghanistan Committing War Crimes, Atrocities
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6 Christians Killed, 470 Flee in Congo Attack
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Mozambique: Muslims murder 13 Villagers, Destroy over 120 Houses, in Quest to Impose Sharia Law
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