“Personally, I have always voted for the death penalty because I believe that those who go out ready to kill other people lose their right to life. I believe that the death penalty should be used very rarely, but I believe that no one should go out with the certainty that no matter how cruel, vicious and hideous their murder is, they will not suffer the death penalty themselves. . » – Margaret Thatcher The death penalty has been promoted for thousands of years, for countless crimes committed by humans. The first established laws on the death penalty date back to the 18th century BC, in the Code of King Hammurabi of Babylon, which codified the death penalty for 25 different crimes. The death penalty was also part of the Hittite Code of the 14th century BC; in the draconian Code of Athens of the 7th century BC, which made death the only punishment for all crimes; and in the Roman law of the twelve tablets of the fifth century BC. Death sentences were carried out by means such as crucifixion, drowning, beatings, burning alive, and impalement. Today, in today's society, the most common methods of execution are: firing squad, hanging and, in recent years, lethal injection, undeniably more humane than any other form of execution. execution throughout history. The death penalty has been used to protect society from the inequities that humanity has brought upon itself. Criminals, rapists, murderers and sadists who harm innocent people should undeniably give up their own right to life, as Margaret Thatcher said. The use of capital punishment is essential to the security of our nation and the justice that those who are innocent and those who are its victims deserve. When we speak or hear information...... middle of paper..... ., 2012. The web. February 12, 2013. Eagan, Jeffrey A. “Capital Punishment: Deterrent Effects and Capital Costs.” Law.columbia.edu. Columbia Law School, 2013. Web. February 12, 2013. Hall, Charlene. “Who speaks on behalf of the victims of those we execute.” Pro-deathpenalty.com, 2013.Web.February 12, 2013. “Top 10 Pros and Cons.” ProCon.org. April 13, 2009. The web. February 12, 2013. “Should the death penalty be used for retaliation? procon.org.procon.org, 2013.Web.February 12, 2013. Simon, Mallory. “Quick fact: breaking the current state of the death penalty. » CNN.com. Turner Broadcast System, 2012. Web. February 12, 2013. “The Case Against the Death Penalty.” aclu.org. American Civil Liberties Union, 2012. Web. February 12, 2013 “The death penalty: for and against”. Wgbh.org. WGBH Educational Foundation, 2013. Web. February 12, 2013. “Unjust death penalty.” Journalgazette.net. Journal Gazette, 2013. The web. February 12. 2013.