12. The Great Molasses Flood’s Barrier Failure (1919)
On January 15, 1919, a 50-foot-tall molasses storage tank in Boston’s North End ruptured, releasing 2.3 million gallons of molasses. The resulting wave, traveling at 35 mph, destroyed buildings, knocked over an elevated train, and caused 21 fatalities. The disaster led to significant changes in construction practices, including the requirement for professional certification for engineers and signatures and relevant calculations on building plans to ensure accountability for safety standards (time.com).
