Ep 14. Dancing Plague, Tracking Santa, Annie Londonderry

In the season 11, episode 14 of Mysteries at the Museum, titled "Dancing Plague, Tracking Santa, Annie Londonderry," viewers are taken on a journey through three fascinating historical mysteries.

The first segment delves into the enigmatic "dancing plague" that swept through Europe in the 16th century. The unusual phenomenon saw groups of people suddenly bursting into frenzied dance, unable to stop despite exhaustion, injury, and even death. Host Don Wildman explores the various theories behind the bizarre episode, from ergot poisoning to mass hysteria, and examines the modern-day parallels of group mania.

Next up is a festive seasonal mystery – the origin of the Santa Claus tracking system. Many people are familiar with the technology that allows children (and adults!) to follow Santa's progress on Christmas Eve, but few know the fascinating backstory of how it came to be. This segment explores the role of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) in starting the tradition in the 1950s. Through first-hand accounts and archival footage, we learn how a wrong number led to a beloved holiday tradition.

Finally, the episode profiles a woman ahead of her time – Annie Londonderry, who in 1894 became the first woman to bicycle around the world. At a time when women were expected to stay at home and tend to domestic duties, Annie embraced adventure and challenged social norms. Don Wildman travels to Boston to see the very bicycle that Annie rode on her remarkable journey and learns about the obstacles she faced along the way.

Overall, "Dancing Plague, Tracking Santa, Annie Londonderry" fulfills the show's premise of exploring intriguing and sometimes obscure mysteries while also providing historical context and fascinating insights. Viewers will be left with a newfound appreciation for the quirks and complexities of our world.