What are some less - known dark history stories?

The Donner Party incident is a rather chilling story. A group of settlers got trapped in the Sierra Nevada mountains during the winter. They resorted to cannibalism to survive. It was a desperate situation that led to some truly macabre actions among the group.

There is a story about the Christmas pickle. In some German - American traditions, a pickle - shaped ornament is hidden on the Christmas tree. The first child to find it on Christmas morning gets an extra present or a special treat. Its origin is somewhat murky but it is thought to be related to an old German folk tale.

One little known story is about the female pharaoh Hatshepsut in ancient Egypt. She had to rule as a man in a male - dominated society. She dressed like a pharaoh and even wore a false beard. Another is the story of the Dancing Plague in 1518. In Strasbourg, hundreds of people danced uncontrollably for days, and some even died from exhaustion. There's also the story of the Voynich Manuscript, a mysterious book filled with strange illustrations and an undeciphered script that has baffled scholars for centuries.

There were also many cases in the United States where gay individuals faced discrimination and violence in the past. In some small towns, gay men were ostracized, beaten, and sometimes even killed. Their stories of fear, isolation, and the struggle to survive in a hostile environment are also part of the dark gay stories in history.

Another less - known story is about the role of women during the War of 1812. Women often had to take over farms and businesses while their husbands were away at war. Some women also served as spies or nurses. For example, there were women who provided valuable information about British troop movements to the American forces.

The Dancing Plague of 1518 in Strasbourg. Hundreds of people danced uncontrollably for days, some even until they died of exhaustion or heart attacks. The exact cause is still debated, but it might have been due to stress, mass hysteria, or food poisoning from ergot - contaminated rye.

The Donner Party is a harrowing story. A group of settlers got stranded in the Sierra Nevada mountains during the winter. Due to extreme hunger, they resorted to cannibalism. It shows the desperation that can overtake people in dire situations.

There was the case of the Philadelphia Negro Nurses. In the early 20th century, African - American nurses in Philadelphia faced discrimination in hospitals. But they formed their own organizations and fought for better working conditions and equal treatment. They provided care in their own communities and gradually made progress in breaking down barriers in the medical field.

One little known story is about the female pharaoh Hatshepsut in ancient Egypt. She managed to rule in a male - dominated society. She dressed as a male pharaoh and had a prosperous reign, building great temples like Deir el - Bahari. But after her death, her successor tried to erase her from history by defacing her monuments.

In Greek mythology, Prometheus sacrificed his own well - being. He stole fire from the gods and gave it to humanity. As a punishment, he was chained to a rock where an eagle would eat his liver every day, which would then regenerate overnight. His sacrifice was for the betterment of mankind.