Hysteria
Spawned by rigid Puritan society and schoolyard gossip, this early American event led to the deaths of at least 25 villagers.
What are the Salem Witch Trials?
Susan Atkins was only 21 years old when she broke into the home of Sharon Tate, murdered her and her unborn child, along with four others under the direction of this "Helter Skelter" cult leader.
Who is Charles Manson?
Already a controversial lead singer, he appalled many by biting the head off of a bat onstage in 1982.
Who is Ozzy Osbourne?
Dubbed "The Clown Killer," he was a community birthday party performer until his arrest for at least dozens of murders in Illinois.
Who was John Wayne Gacy?
The time period in which Joseph McCarthy's 1950s Congressional hearings searched for Communists within Hollywood and other fields of art during is now known by this colorful name.
What is The Red Scare?
She has become synonymous with her weapon of choice (an ax), as she murdered her father and stepmother with one in 1892.
Who is Lizzie Borden?
With flashy and unique costumes already part of her schtick, she wore a dress entirely made of meat to the MTV VMAs in 2009.
Who is Lady Gaga?
Mistakenly named after the Mary Shelley novel, this monster is often depicted with green skin and bolts in his neck.
Who is Frankenstein?
After a radio broadcast of "The War of the Worlds" in 1938, thousands of listeners panicked, believing the United States was under attack by these.
What are aliens?
A controversial "not guilty" verdict was rendered in her case, despite overwhelming evidence that she murdered her young daughter, Caylee, in Florida in 2008.
Who is Casey Anthony?
In 1965, he had already been arrested 55 times for "obscenity" due to his often profane and taboo stand up comedy sets he performed in New York and Los Angeles comedy clubs.
Who is Lenny Bruce?
Numerous sightings have occurred in a lake in Scotland over the centuries for this (possibly) mythical creature.
What is the Loch Ness Monster?
Due to the popularity of music by bands like Judas Priest and Iron Maiden, the 1980s saw this rhyming hysteria occur in which many religious activists believed their teenagers were being sinisterly possessed.
What is the Satanic Panic?
Despite the iconic depiction of her son, Pamela Voorhees is the actual villain in the first film of this popular slasher series.
What is Friday the 13th?
Rock n' roll pioneer Screamin' Jay Hawkins would crawl out of a coffin, drink blood, and dress as a Voodoo King as part of his onstage act in the 1950s, is best known for this witchy tune included in numerous Halloween themed films and shows.
What is "I Put a Spell on You?"
Still unidentified, this serial killer taunted police in the San Francisco Bay area by writing cryptic messages including archaic symbols.
Who is The Zodiac Killer?