Fact #23
June 20, 2026The Dancing Plague
The Dancing Plague of 1518 still remains one of the most morbid and baffling documented instances of mass hysteria in history.
Mini Facts
1
It occurred in the city of Strasbourg, in modern-day France.
2
The entire event was sparked by a single woman named Frau Troffea. It eventually grew to as many as 400 victims after two months.
3
There was no music playing. The afflicted individuals were not partying. In fact, they were weeping and begging for help.
4
The plague finally ended when the city leaders banned public music and forced the dancers onto a pilgrimage to the shrine of Saint Vitus.