Dance Plague
The "Dance Plague" refers to a historical phenomenon where groups of people uncontrollably danced for extended periods, often leading to exhaustion or injury. One of the most famous incidents occurred in Strasbourg in 1518, when dozens of people began dancing in the streets without stopping. This event puzzled local authorities and medical experts, as the cause of the uncontrollable dancing was unclear.
Various theories have been proposed to explain the Dance Plague, including mass hysteria, ergot poisoning from contaminated grain, or psychological stress. Despite the lack of definitive answers, the Dance Plague remains a fascinating example of how collective behavior can manifest in unusual ways throughout history.