In 1325, the rival Italian city-states of Bologna and Modena went to war in a conflict later nicknamed the War of the Bucket. While political tensions between factions had been building for years, legend says the final spark came when Modenese soldiers stole a wooden bucket from a well in Bologna. Bologna demanded its return; Modena refused. The dispute escalated into a real battle at Zappolino, where Bologna, despite larger numbers, was defeated. The bucket became a lasting symbol of the rivalry. Whether it truly caused the war or simply represented deeper conflict, the story remains one of history’s strangest triggers.

In 1932, Australia launched a military operation against thousands of emus that were damaging farmland in Western Australia. World War I veterans turned farmers had requested government assistance as migrating birds trampled crops and fencing. Soldiers armed with machine guns attempted to control the population in what became known as the Emu War. However, the emus proved surprisingly resilient, moving in small groups and outrunning gunfire. Despite firing thousands of rounds, the soldiers struggled to make a significant impact. The mission was eventually abandoned, and the event became a humorous but memorable chapter in Australian history.

In 1518, residents of Strasbourg experienced one of history’s strangest events: the Dancing Plague of 1518. It began when a woman started dancing in the street without music or explanation. Within days, others joined her. Soon, dozens — possibly hundreds — were dancing uncontrollably for weeks. Some reportedly collapsed from exhaustion, and a few may have died. City officials, believing the cure was to let it continue, even hired musicians. Historians still debate the cause, with theories ranging from mass hysteria brought on by stress and famine to environmental factors. The true explanation remains uncertain, making it one of history’s most puzzling mysteries.