In July 1518, a strange phenomenon known as the dancing plague of 1518 occurred in Strasbourg, then part of the Holy Roman Empire. Many people, including women and men, began dancing uncontrollably in the streets for days without rest. This unusual behavior led to exhaustion, injuries, and even some deaths. Local authorities, puzzled by the situation, initially believed that more dancing would cure the afflicted. They even constructed a stage and hired musicians to encourage the dancers. The cause of this bizarre event remains unclear, with theories ranging from mass hysteria to ergot poisoning from contaminated grain.