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In 1518, hundreds of people in Strasbourg danced themselves to death in a plague that lasted for months, with some dancing for days without stopping.
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Dark HistoryFeb 04, 2026

In 1518, hundreds of people in Strasbourg danced themselves to death in a plague that lasted for months, with some dancing for days without stopping.

The Dancing Plague of 1518 killed hundreds in Strasbourg. People danced uncontrollably for days without stopping. Some died from heart attacks and strokes. Authorities hired musicians thinking music would cure them. The dancing spread like a contagious disease.

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