What are some well - known history ghost stories from Europe?

The story of the Flying Dutchman is quite famous. It's a spectral ship doomed to sail the seas forever. Legend has it that the captain made a pact with the devil and as a result, his ship and crew are cursed to be seen as a ghostly apparition by other sailors at sea.

One origin of well - known ghost stories is from local legends. For example, in Scotland, the legend of the Grey Lady. These stories often start from a real - life event, like a tragic death in a castle, and then over time, they get passed down and embellished. In some cases, like the story of the Headless Horseman in American folklore, it may have been inspired by superstitions and the spooky nature of the local landscape.

The story of Alexander the Great and his horse Bucephalus is also quite interesting. Alexander tamed the wild horse when he was young, and it became his loyal steed throughout his conquests. There was also a story in the Aztec civilization where a priest once slipped on a banana peel - like object during a solemn ceremony, which caused quite a stir among the people.

Yes, there's the Tower of London. It has a long history of beheadings and imprisonments. Many people claim to have seen the ghosts of Anne Boleyn, one of Henry VIII's wives who was beheaded at the Tower. She's often seen walking around the Tower grounds, sometimes carrying her head under her arm. There are also reports of other ghosts of prisoners and guards.

The ghost story of the Alamo is quite well - known. There are rumors of the spirits of the brave defenders still lingering there. Their presence is felt as a sense of honor and pride. Some visitors claim to have seen shadowy figures near the walls where the battle took place.

There is a story about a sage in Indian history. A king challenged the sage to make a mango tree bear watermelons. The sage agreed. He then uprooted the mango tree and planted a watermelon vine instead. His literal interpretation of the king's impossible demand in a practical way was quite humorous.

Sacagawea was a Native American woman who played a crucial role in the Lewis and Clark Expedition. She was pregnant when she joined the expedition. She survived the difficult journey across the uncharted American West, facing harsh terrains, extreme weather and potential danger from different tribes. Her knowledge of the land and her ability to communicate with local tribes were vital for the success of the expedition.

Joan of Arc is a well - known historical figure with a great girl power story. A young peasant girl, she led the French army to several victories during the Hundred Years' War. She believed she was on a divine mission and her fearless leadership at such a young age is truly remarkable.

The story of George Washington and the cherry tree is a classic example of integrity. As a young boy, when he was asked about cutting down the cherry tree, he replied 'I cannot tell a lie' and admitted to it. This simple story has been passed down through generations to teach the importance of honesty.

One well - known ghost story is 'The Bell Witch'. It's about a witch that haunted a family in Tennessee. There were strange noises, objects moving on their own, and the witch would torment the family members, especially the father and a young girl. Another is 'The Amityville Horror'. A family moved into a house where a brutal murder had occurred, and they experienced terrifying things like cold spots, strange voices, and apparitions.