Some of these stories sound like bad jokes or surreal fiction, but they’re very real.
Written by Ricardo Garcia
History is usually associated with wars, kings, revolutions, and major inventions. However, there are events on the dusty shelves of time that are so strange, absurd, and downright unbelievable that they challenge everything you thought you knew about the past. Some of these stories sound like bad jokes or surreal fiction, but they’re very real. From emperors who tried to appoint their horses to high office to people buried with bells in case they were still alive—here are 8 bizarre historical events that genuinely happened.
8. The Pope Who Gave Birth During a Procession
According to medieval accounts, Pope John VIII was actually a woman named Pope Joan who had disguised herself to receive a religious education. She rose through the church ranks and was eventually elected pope. But her secret was revealed in the most shocking way—when she gave birth during a religious procession.
Legend has it that the crowd was so outraged that she was stoned to death on the spot. Though historians debate her existence, the story had such an impact that, for centuries, popes were allegedly made to sit on a special chair with a hole in it, so church officials could verify their anatomy. Real or not, Pope Joan remains one of the strangest figures in Church lore.
7. The Dancing Plague of 1518
In July 1518, the residents of Strasbourg (then part of the Holy Roman Empire) were struck by a baffling and terrifying phenomenon: hundreds of people began dancing uncontrollably in the streets—and they couldn’t stop. It started with a woman named Frau Troffea, who danced for six days straight. Soon, dozens more joined her, convulsing to music only they could hear.
The strange epidemic lasted for weeks. Some dancers reportedly collapsed from exhaustion, while others allegedly danced to their deaths due to heart attacks or strokes. Authorities brought in musicians, believing it would help “dance the plague away,” but it only made things worse. Historians still debate the cause: mass hysteria, ergot poisoning, or even a psychogenic illness. Whatever it was, it remains one of history’s most rhythmic mysteries.
6. Napoleon Lost a Battle… To Rabbits
In 1807, after signing the Treaty of Tilsit, Napoleon Bonaparte decided to celebrate his diplomatic success with a grand hunting party. His chief of staff, Alexandre Berthier, was tasked with organizing the event. The plan was simple: release a bunch of rabbits into a field, let the emperor and his men hunt them down, and enjoy a leisurely afternoon of sport. But things didn’t go according to plan—mainly because someone made a monumental error in judgment.
Instead of sourcing wild rabbits, Berthier’s staff acquired hundreds—possibly even thousands—of tame, domesticated rabbits. These weren’t animals that knew how to run for their lives. They were used to being fed by humans, and when released, they didn’t scatter in fear. Instead, they ran straight toward Napoleon and his party, likely expecting food. Eyewitnesses described a surreal scene in which rabbits swarmed the field, jumped into the emperor’s carriage, and sent soldiers fleeing in confusion. Despite commanding victories across Europe, Napoleon was completely overwhelmed—by a flurry of fur and floppy ears. It may not have been his bloodiest defeat, but it was certainly the most adorable.
5. Victorian “Safety Coffins” Came with Bells
In 18th- and 19th-century Europe, people had a deep fear of being buried alive. So, they came up with a chilling solution—safety coffins equipped with bells. A string would be tied to the buried person’s hand, connected to a bell above ground.
If the person woke up underground, they could ring for help. Some graveyards even hired watchmen to listen for any ringing from the graves. The phrase “saved by the bell” may have originated from this terrifying custom—though boxing fans might say otherwise.
4. Why Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror’s Body Wasn’t Buried for Days
When Sultan Mehmed II (known as Mehmed the Conqueror) died in 1481, the Ottoman court kept his death a secret for days. The reason? A power struggle was brewing, and revealing the sultan’s death could trigger civil war.
To preserve his body, servants doused it in vinegar and musk, then packed it with ice. While the empire waited to see who would claim the throne, the city of Constantinople was eerily silent. The mighty sultan was dead—but for political reasons, no one dared to admit it.
3. The Roman Emperor Who Wanted His Horse in Office
Caligula, one of Rome’s most infamous emperors, took eccentric leadership to new heights. He adored his horse, Incitatus, so much that he built it a marble stable, gave it golden shoes, and—allegedly—planned to appoint it as a consul.
Historians disagree on whether Caligula was serious or just mocking the Senate. But whether it was satire or insanity, the story became a symbol of imperial arrogance and power gone wild. One thing’s for sure—this horse had more political influence than most people today.
2. Animals Were Put on Trial in the Middle Ages
Believe it or not, in medieval Europe, animals were held legally responsible for crimes. Pigs, cows, rats, and even insects could be arrested, tried, and sentenced. One pig was executed for killing a child. In another case, a group of locusts was summoned to court but didn’t show up—so they were cursed instead.
These trials were taken seriously, with legal representation and official proceedings. It was a strange reflection of the times, where justice extended even to the barnyard.
1. The Great Potato Riot of 1847
In Berlin, 1847, the price of potatoes skyrocketed. For the poor, potatoes were a dietary staple—and the sudden inflation pushed them to the brink. The result was the Great Potato Riot (or Kartoffelrevolution), where thousands took to the streets demanding food and economic reforms.
What started as a food protest turned into a full-blown uprising, seen as one of the early sparks that ignited the 1848 revolutions across Europe. It’s a historical reminder that even a humble vegetable can become the symbol of mass resistance.