The Boston Molassacre

January 15, 1919 - It was on this day that a huge tank of molasses exploded in Boston. It sent a 20-foot wave of brown syrup pouring through the city's North End neighborhood. 21 people died and over 150 were injured.

Here's a description of the tragedy by author Stephen Puleo:

Molasses, waist deep, covered the street and swirled and bubbled about the wreckage. Here and there struggled a form—‌whether it was animal or human being was impossible to tell. Only an upheaval, a thrashing about in the sticky mass, showed where any life was... Horses died like so many flies on sticky fly-paper. The more they struggled, the deeper in the mess they were ensnared. Human beings—‌men and women—‌suffered likewise.

Boston residents claim that on hot days you can still pick up the sweet scent of molasses.