Great Boston Molasses Flood

Historical Overview

The Great Boston Molasses Flood occurred on January 15, 1919, in Boston’s North End neighborhood when a massive storage tank containing millions of liters of molasses suddenly burst. A towering wave of thick molasses rushed through the streets at high speed, destroying buildings, sweeping away people and horses, and causing widespread devastation. Numerous people lost their lives and many others were seriously injured. The disaster led to major investigations into structural failures, industrial safety standards, and corporate responsibility. The event remains one of the most unusual industrial disasters in American history.