Buzz
Continuing from our earlier compilation of ten unusual episodes of mass hysteria, here is another set of ten fascinating cases. Mass hysteria occurs when a group of individuals collectively experiences panic, often believing they share the same illness or affliction. Symptoms can manifest purely through the power of suggestion and shared belief.
10. Angels of Mons
The Angels of Mons is a widely known tale about celestial beings who allegedly safeguarded British soldiers during the Battle of Mons in the early days of World War I. Research indicates the story is likely a myth, born from a mix of Arthur Machen's patriotic fiction, widespread rumors, collective hysteria, urban legends, and possibly intentional propaganda. The angelic narratives significantly uplifted morale on the home front during a period of waning public enthusiasm in 1915, highlighting the role of faith during times of war.
9. Kuchisake-onna
Kuchisake-onna, also known as the 'Slit-Mouth Woman,' is a figure from Japanese folklore and a modern urban legend about a woman disfigured by her jealous spouse, who returns as a vengeful spirit seeking to inflict the same harm she endured. In 1979, widespread rumors in Japan claimed sightings of Kuchisake-onna targeting children. In 2007, a coroner uncovered records from the late 1970s detailing a woman who chased children but was fatally struck by a car. Her mouth was horrifically slit from ear to ear, leading many to believe she was the source of the mass hysteria during that period.
8. Y2K Bug
The Y2K bug sparked fears that computer systems would malfunction on January 1, 2000, potentially leading to global chaos. Although no major computer failures occurred when the new millennium began, the preparations for Y2K had a profound impact on the tech industry. Nations like Italy and South Korea, which invested minimally in Y2K readiness, faced as few issues as countries like the United States and the United Kingdom, which spent heavily. The total global expenditure on Y2K preparations exceeded $300 billion, addressing a problem that ultimately never materialized.
7. Spring Heeled Jack
In 1837, a man in London reported encountering a bizarre figure leaping over a cemetery fence and landing before him. He described the entity as having pointed ears, a long nose, and glowing eyes. Months later, a young woman claimed she was assaulted by a similar creature in an alley, who attempted to kiss her with cold, clammy hands. Her screams drew a crowd, but no trace of the attacker was found. The tale grew, with some versions claiming the figure leaped over a 9-foot fence after fleeing a carriage. Despite numerous reports of attacks by 'Spring Heeled Jack,' as the creature came to be known, authorities dismissed the claims, and the legend faded into myth.
6. The London Monster
The London Monster was the name given to an individual who terrorized women in London from 1788 to 1790. Initial reports described a man who followed women and stabbed them in their backs and buttocks, with some victims claiming he had knives attached to his knees. Many women exhibited torn clothing and injuries, lending credibility to the claims. As the story gained traction, some women began fabricating attacks to gain attention, especially after it was noted that the Monster seemed to target affluent, attractive women. Rhynwick Williams was accused and convicted of being the Monster, despite a lack of solid evidence, and sentenced to six years in prison. However, reports of the Monster persisted even after his incarceration, leading historians to question whether the Monster ever truly existed.
5. The Villejuif Leaflet
In 1976, a typewritten list began circulating in France, claiming that several food additives were carcinogenic. The leaflet spread to England, Africa, Germany, and beyond, causing widespread alarm, particularly because citric acid—a common component in many fruits—was included. Books and other publications replicated the information without verifying its accuracy, and the leaflets were distributed in schools, hospitals, and health clinics well into the late 1980s. This misinformation triggered mass panic across Europe during the late 1970s and 1980s.
4. Sick Children in Georgia
In 1988, a group of parents at a school noticed their children exhibiting symptoms like paleness, headaches, nausea, vomiting, and dark circles under their eyes. Concerns grew as more parents reported similar issues in their kids. After the school was evacuated due to a suspected gas leak, parents became convinced the school environment was to blame. However, extensive testing revealed no harmful substances. Experts concluded that the parents had reinterpreted common childhood ailments and possibly imagined some symptoms, as none of the children themselves complained of feeling unwell.
3. Fan Death
Fan death is an urban legend prevalent in South Korea and Japan, claiming that sleeping in a closed room with an electric fan running can lead to death by suffocation, poisoning, or hypothermia. Fans sold in Korea often come with timer switches to automatically turn off after a set period, a feature heavily promoted for safety. This belief is so widespread that media outlets report it as fact, such as a 1997 Korea Herald article attributing heatwave-related deaths to fans depleting oxygen and lowering body temperatures.
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2. The Halifax Slasher
In the late 1930s, two girls claimed they were assaulted by a man wielding a mallet and wearing shoes with bright yellow buckles. As more reports of similar attacks surfaced, the weapon evolved into a razor or knife. The panic escalated to the point where the city nearly shut down, prompting Scotland Yard's involvement. Vigilantes attacked anyone deemed suspicious. The hysteria subsided when a woman who had previously reported an attack confessed to injuring herself. Police began arresting individuals for false reports, and the frenzy gradually died down.
1. Satanic Ritual Abuse
Satanic ritual abuse (SRA) emerged as a moral panic in the United States during the 1980s, spreading globally before fading in the late 1990s. Claims of SRA included accusations of physical and sexual abuse tied to occult or satanic ceremonies. In its most extreme form, SRA was portrayed as a global conspiracy involving powerful elites who allegedly abducted or bred children for sacrifices, pornography, and prostitution. This phenomenon has been likened to historical witch-hunts, blood libel, and McCarthyism, and is widely regarded as a baseless moral panic.
