History is full of epic battles, powerful emperors, groundbreaking discoveries… and some truly bizarre moments that sound more like the plot of a comedy film than real life. Today, we’re diving into a handful of strange historical events that prove truth really can be stranger than fiction. This site is dedicated to some of the strangest events and persons in history.
So buckle up—here come some of the weirdest stories the past has to offer!
1. The Great Emu War of Australia (1932)
When you think of a war, you probably imagine armies clashing on battlefields. But in 1932, Australia declared war… on birds.
After World War I, Australian farmers were struggling to protect their crops from huge flocks of emus—large, flightless birds native to the country. These emus were strong, fast, and very committed to eating all the wheat they could find.
The government decided to send in soldiers armed with machine guns to drive the birds away. But the emus proved surprisingly tactical: they scattered, dodged bullets, and used their speed to outrun the military. In the end, the birds won the war. The crop-eating emus lived to feast another day, and the soldiers retreated in defeat.
Who knew emus would make such formidable opponents?
2. A Pig Sparked an International Conflict (1859)
Wars often begin due to piles of political tension, but the Pig War between the United States and Great Britain started because one man shot one pig.
On San Juan Island (near modern-day Washington state), both British and American settlers claimed the land. One day, an American farmer found a pig eating his potato garden—and shot it. Unfortunately, the pig belonged to a British employee of the Hudson’s Bay Company.
Arguments broke out. Troops were deployed. Ship cannons aimed across the water. For a moment, it looked like a full-blown war might erupt… all over a wayward pig.
Thankfully, cooler heads prevailed. After a brief standoff, both sides agreed to joint occupation without bloodshed. Today, the Pig War is remembered with humor—and relief.
3. Napoleon Was Attacked by Bunnies (1807)
Napoleon Bonaparte—military genius, feared conqueror, and emperor of France—was once humbled by a horde of fluffy rabbits.
After signing a peace treaty with Russia, Napoleon’s chief of staff planned a rabbit hunt to celebrate. Hundreds of rabbits were released for the occasion. But there was one problem: these weren’t wild rabbits. They were tame, domesticated, and very used to being fed by humans.
Instead of running away, the rabbits ran toward Napoleon and his men—hopping, swarming, hungry for treats. Napoleon tried to escape into his carriage, but the rabbits continued to chase him.
It might be the only battle in history where Napoleon’s army retreated… from bunnies.
4. A Dancing Plague Swept Through Europe (1518)
Imagine a dance party that no one can stop—literally.
In July 1518, a woman in Strasbourg (then part of the Holy Roman Empire) began dancing uncontrollably in the streets. Within a week, dozens more had joined her, unable to rest. People danced for days.
Doctors believed the only cure was… more dancing. So they hired musicians and cleared open spaces for the nonstop dancers.
It didn’t help. Many collapsed from exhaustion, and some even died from heart failure. Historians still don’t fully understand what caused the phenomenon—mass hysteria? Poisoning? A psychological crisis?
Whatever the cause, it remains one of the strangest epidemics ever recorded.
5. The Day Everyone Thought the World Was Ending (1439 and many other years!)
Throughout history, people have predicted the apocalypse countless times. But one particularly strange panic occurred in 1910 when Earth passed through the tail of Halley’s Comet. Newspapers claimed the comet contained poisonous gas that could kill everyone.
People bought “comet pills,” bottled oxygen, and special umbrellas designed to shield them from toxic space dust. Others threw parties to celebrate the “end.”
Of course, the world didn’t end. The comet passed by peacefully, leaving behind nothing but embarrassment and a great story to tell.
6. The Cadaver Synod: A Trial for a Dead Pope (897)
If you thought drama was limited to modern politics, think again.
In 897, Pope Stephen VI ordered that his predecessor, Pope Formosus—who was already dead—be dug up and put on trial. The corpse was dressed in papal robes, placed on a throne, and asked to defend itself.
Not surprisingly, the dead pope said nothing. He was found guilty, stripped of his title, and tossed into the Tiber River.
This grotesque event became known as the Cadaver Synod. It remains one of the most bizarre acts in church history and a chilling reminder of how far political grudges can go.
7. When Baseball Tried to Prevent Home Runs… by Padding the Bats (1880s–1900s)
Home runs are now the highlight of any baseball game, but in the early days of the sport, officials thought they made things too exciting.
Leagues experimented with strange rules to stop big hits—including padding the bats with soft materials like rubber and even cork. That made the bat more like a giant pillow than a piece of sports equipment.
Naturally, players hated these changes, and fans were bored. The rules were soon tossed aside, allowing home runs to become the heart-pounding favorite they remain today.
8. The Lottery That Saved a Church with Almost Deadly Results (1740s)
In the early 1700s, a small town in England organized a lottery to raise money for church repairs. What could possibly go wrong?
The church leaders announced that one lucky person would win a new house. Thousands of people bought tickets—and then rumors began to spread that the lottery was rigged. Angry ticket holders stormed the area, and the situation became so violent that the army had to intervene.
The church was eventually repaired… but only after months of chaos and a hard lesson about managing expectations.
History Is Weird—And That’s Why We Love It
These stories remind us that the past wasn’t just dusty dates and serious events. It was full of unexpected chaos, hilarious misjudgments, and the occasional rabbit uprising.
Every era has its oddities, and each one adds color to the long, wild journey of humanity. So the next time you feel like the world has gotten weird—just remember: history has always been a little strange.