Eccentric Histories: Unearthed Bizarre Stories from the Past

 Dance Fever: The Bizarre Outbreak of the Dancing Plague of 1518

Step into a captivating journey through the annals of history, where we explore the most unique and surprising stories left behind by time. From mysterious automatons to explosive maritime accidents, each story highlights the unusual, the unexpected, and the utterly bizarre moments that have shaped our world. Join us as we uncover these captivating narratives, highlighting the strange and wondrous aspects of our shared human heritage. Prepare yourself for an adventure through the strangest corners of history, where the extraordinary and the inexplicable take center stage.

Few events have astounded scholars and spectators as the Dancing Plague of 1518. In the center of Strasbourg, a city in modern France, a mysterious and inexplicable phenomenon has gripped the people. Hundreds of people, possessed by an indomitable desire, danced madly in the streets, unable to stop for days, and sometimes even weeks. As exhaustion, dehydration and fatigue increased, some dancers fainted and some even died.

A poem taken from a contemporary history describes "women and men who danced and jumped.../in the public market, in the alleys and streets,/day and night" until the "disease" finally stopped. Caste.

This inexplicable phenomenon is one of the most bizarre and perplexing in the history of human behavior, forcing us to contemplate the strange and unexplained quirks of the human mind and body.

underground catacomb saint

The Underground Catacomb Saints represent a unique phenomenon of devotion and reverence in the field of Catholicism from the 16th to the 19th centuries. These were preserved remains of early Christians that were carefully extracted from Roman catacombs and sent throughout Europe, later venerated as relics of saints. While the identities of these individuals had no historical significance, Loyalists decorated their exhumed bodies with lavish decorations, including gold and precious stones, in an elaborate effort to transform them into representations of Catholic saints. The devotion to this practice was evident, with some churches even spending substantial sums of money, such as 75 gulden, to adorn their chosen saints.

Lincoln's Duel: The Unexpected Encounter of the Great Emancipator

The averted duel between Abraham Lincoln and James Shields is a remarkable testament to the power of reason, friendship, and conflict resolution by peaceful means. In the midst of a tumultuous period of political tension and personal grievances in Springfield, Illinois, Lincoln found himself embroiled in a potentially fatal confrontation. Her inflammatory letter, written under the pseudonym Aunt Becca, had incensed Shields, leading to a challenge that could have ended in tragedy.

Nevertheless, when the moment came on "Bloody Island" (a sandbar in the Mississippi River, opposite St. Louis, Missouri, which became densely forested and a meeting place for duelists because it was considered "neutral" and neither Missouri nor (was not in control of Illinois), it was not the clash of swords or gunfire that would define their encounter. Instead, the intelligence of Lincoln and Shields, as well as John J. Hardin and R.W. English intervention prevailed. Whether through threats, apologies or explanations, both opponents left the island without bloodshed. This not only averted personal tragedy from the duel but also led to a deep and lasting friendship between two remarkable men.

Ale-pocalypse: the London beer flood of 1814

Imagine this: a giant tidal wave of beer hitting the streets of London. The London Beer Flood of 1814 seems like a tall tale, a bizarre and tragic event that rocked the city. When a massive tank filled with more than 135,000 gallons of beer burst at a local brewery, it released a torrent of alcohol that flooded nearby streets, homes, and even killed people . The immense power of the bear wave destroyed structures, causing chaos and panic.

Oregon's infamous whale explosion of 1970

On November 9, 1970, a massive, 45-foot, 8-ton whale washed ashore in Florence, Oregon, creating an immediate dilemma. The state highway division responsible for coastal management at the time decided to remove the whale with an unconventional approach – by blasting it with half a ton of dynamite, describing it as akin to clearing a highway blockage.

However, this plan failed spectacularly. When the explosion occurred on November 12, 1970, it surprised bystanders, resulting in a surreal scene of blood, dust and sand shooting skyward. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but a three-foot piece of whale collided with a parked car, seriously damaging its roof. Even worse than this spectacle was the persistent stench which clung to the witnesses for several days and made them feel nauseous. The strangest thing is that George Thornton, the engineer behind the explosion, considered it a success despite the devastation that followed.

cottingley fairies deception

At the beginning of the 20th century, two young cousins from Cottingley, England, captured the world's imagination with a series of photographs in which they appeared to depict themselves with fairies. The images of Francis Griffith and Elsie Wright with these supernatural beings sparked a frenzy of belief in the supernatural. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes, also became a strong advocate of his authenticity. The truth did not come out until decades later. The Cottingley Fairies were nothing more than carefully staged pictures using paper cutouts.