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HistorySurprise 5/5Difficulty 4/5Reviewed on September 14, 2026

In 1919, a molasses wave flooded streets of Boston.

Why it is true

On 15 January 1919, a tank of 8.7 million litres of molasses burst in Boston harbour. The molasses wave reached speeds of 56 kilometres per hour, killing 21 people and destroying buildings.

Source: Boston Globe

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