1518

1518 was a year in the 16th century marked by several notable events in Europe, the Ottoman Empire, and international diplomacy.

The Dancing Plague of Strasbourg began in July 1518, with residents dancing for extended periods and incapable of stopping. The outbreak lasted for weeks or months and involved hundreds of people, with dozens said to have died. The exact cause remains debated, with historical explanations ranging from mass hysteria to possible toxin exposure.

In the Holy Roman Empire, the Diet of Augsburg was convened to address calls for religious reform and the controversy surrounding Lutheran ideas. The proceedings reflected growing tensions between reformist movements and established Catholic authorities within the empire.

The Ottoman Empire under Selim I continued its expansion in the Middle East following the defeat of the Mamluk Sultanate. By 1518, Ottoman rule had been extended over Egypt and the Hijaz, consolidating a broader regional influence and reshaping power dynamics in the region.

Diplomatically, the Peace of London (1518) was an effort to establish a general European peace, mediated by the Papacy and supported by major powers of the time. While it represented a significant attempt at consensus, the alliance did not prevent later conflicts in the following decades.

In exploration and trade, European powers continued to expand their networks along Africa, the Indian Ocean, and beyond, strengthening maritime links and commercial exchanges that would influence global dynamics in the years ahead.