The Dancing Plague of 1518 seems straight out of fiction, but it's a well-documented historical event. In July 1518, citizens of Strasbourg (then part of the Holy Roman Empire) were struck by a sudden and uncontrollable urge to dance. The affliction began with a woman, Frau Troffea, and rapidly spread to hundreds of people.
Over the course of about one month, numerous inhabitants danced for days without rest, and, according to historical sources, some even died from heart attack, stroke, or exhaustion. Historical documents, including physician notes, cathedral sermons, local and regional chronicles, and even notes issued by the Strasbourg city council, are clear on the facts that people danced to their death.
Several theories have been proposed to explain this phenomenon, ranging from religious ecstasy to ergot poisoning (caused by a psychoactive mold that grows on damp rye). The most plausible explanation, in my view, combines sociopolitical and psychological components. The region was suffering from severe famine and disease; the dances may have been a stress-induced psychosis on a mass level, perhaps triggered by the shared stress of a desperate populace.
Today, the event is often retold as an example of mass hysteria. It remains a poignant illustration of the physical and psychological effects of extreme stress on a population.
Whoa, imagine that happening today - people just randomly breaking into dance in public squares, not because of some flash mob but cuz they can't help it! Freaky 😳. Always wondered if some of those theories like ergot poisoning could explain more of these weird historical events. Are there modern incidents that are just as bizarre but have better explanations 'cause of science?