The great tsunami in Boston's history was brown and sticky. In 1919, Boston's North End was shocked by the appearance of a 15-foot wave of molasses, which was caused by an explosion of a 50-foot high tank filled with the syrupy food.

The tragic event killed 21 people and injured more than 150, and the force of the blast was reported to have demolished several tenements and knock a firehouse off its foundation.

Although the explosion was initially thought to be caused by anarchists, authorities later came to the conclusion that the warm weather and poor construction of the tank were the culprits. The parent company that owned the tank paid out almost $1 million to settle 125 claims.