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Strange History

The Dancing Plague of 1518

400 people danced uncontrollably for weeks in Strasbourg — some until they died.

Fact-checked · 2 verified sources

Reviewed by the CurioVault curator · 8 October 2026 · Editorial standards

The Dancing Plague of 1518 — AI illustration
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In Strasbourg, 400 people danced uncontrollably for weeks, some dancing to death from exhaustion. No cause found. Contemporary notes blame "hot blood" or cursed bread. Modern theory: ergot poisoning.

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#disease#medieval#mystery

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