65% approval for capital punishment
The American public has consistently backed capital punishment. In a Gallup Poll in 1976, 65%, approved of it. But between 1966-76, no executions occurred in the U.S. The Supreme Court, in a 5-to-4 decision, abolished capital punishment in June 1972. However, since the Supreme Court’s decision most of the 50 states have voted to restore the death penalty. (Encyclopedia of Illustrations #1137).