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The Dancing Plague of 1518
The Dancing Plague of 1518: Strasbourg's Unstoppable Dance of Death
July 1518. Strasbourg. Frau Troffea begins dancing in the street.
She can't stop. Four days later, 34 join her. A month in, hundreds dance uncontrollably.
Feet bled raw. Hearts gave out. Mass hysteria gripped the city.
Authorities built a stage. Hired musicians. Thought more dancing would cure it. 15 died daily.
No food. No sleep. No explanation. The dancing stopped as suddenly as it began.
HistMuse investigates history's strangest collective madness.
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By HistMuseThe Dancing Plague of 1518: Strasbourg's Unstoppable Dance of Death
July 1518. Strasbourg. Frau Troffea begins dancing in the street.
She can't stop. Four days later, 34 join her. A month in, hundreds dance uncontrollably.
Feet bled raw. Hearts gave out. Mass hysteria gripped the city.
Authorities built a stage. Hired musicians. Thought more dancing would cure it. 15 died daily.
No food. No sleep. No explanation. The dancing stopped as suddenly as it began.
HistMuse investigates history's strangest collective madness.