The Tanganyika Laughter Epidemic: When Stress Went Viral in 1962

In this episode of The History AI Podcast, we explore the bizarre and fascinating story of the Tanganyika Laughter Epidemic of 1962—one of history’s strangest cases of mass psychogenic illness. Discover how uncontrollable laughter spread across villages in modern-day Tanzania, affecting over 1,000 people and shutting down schools and workplaces for months. Chuck and Marco delve into the social and psychological factors behind this mysterious outbreak, highlighting the impact of stress, emotional contagion, and cultural shifts in a newly independent nation. Perfect for fans of history, psychology, and the downright unusual, this episode will leave you laughing—voluntarily, of course! Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe to help us share more strange tales from the past!