A Wave of Molasses Killed 21 People in Boston

[!NOTE] Historical File: A Wave of Molasses Killed 21 People in Boston Location: USA | Era: Archival History | Format: Documentary & Narrative Record

The Untold Story

In 1919, a wave of molasses moving 35 miles per hour killed 21 people in Boston.

A massive storage tank holding over two million gallons of molasses suddenly burst without warning.

The wave was strong enough to lift a train off its tracks and crush buildings for blocks. Residents said you could still smell molasses in Boston decades later - some say you still can. Follow along for the next disaster history quietly buried.

Historical Discussion

💭 The tank was rushed into service to cash in on wartime alcohol demand and was never properly tested before it was filled - and the lawsuits afterward are part of why engineers in the US now have to stamp and sign off on structural calculations. One disaster, and building codes changed nationwide.

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