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In 1919, Boston was flooded with 2.3 million gallons of molasses moving at 35 mph, killing 21 people in what became known as the Great Molasses Flood.
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Dark HistoryFeb 04, 2026

In 1919, Boston was flooded with 2.3 million gallons of molasses moving at 35 mph, killing 21 people in what became known as the Great Molasses Flood.

A tsunami of molasses killed 21 people in Boston. The wave moved 35 mph through city streets. Victims were trapped in sticky syrup 8 feet deep. The flood destroyed buildings and elevated train tracks. Hot weather made cleanup take weeks.

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