Jonestown Massacre

Jonestown was the informal name for the "Peoples Temple Agricultural Project", a Utopian Society in Guyana formed by Jim Jones. It became famous in November of 1978, when 918 people died from apparent cyanide poisoning in an event termed "revolutionary suicide" by Jones. It is the largest mass suicide in history. The 30th Anniversary of the event is November 18, 2008.¹

Fast Facts

1. Jim Jones began his ministry in 1953 as an independent minister in Indianapolis¹
2. In 1971 he had moved his congregation to California, eventually establishing two churches
3. The People's Temple peaked during the 1970s to include as many as 8,000 members¹
4. Jones began to be criticized and in response he moved many of his followers to British Guyana
5. Almost 1,000 supporters gathered at an isolated retreat there, which was later officially named "Jonestown"¹
6. Complaints from former members and families continued, ultimately culminating in requests for an official investigation
7. Reports from Jonestown said members were required to work in the fields from 7 AM to 6 PM six days per week
8. Many were ill with severe diarrhea and high fevers
9. It was also reported the temple was swarming with armed guards
10. On November 17, 1978, California Congressman Leo J. Ryan went to investigate the grounds
11. Ryan tried to take some members back home with him and was ambushed on an airstrip by Jones' gunmen¹
12. Ryan and four others were killed
13. Anticipating possible arrest, Jones called for a mass suicide of all members
14. Jim Jones body was found at Jonestown, fatally wounded by a gunshot to the head

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