Today In History: The Black Tom Explosion

Black Tom Ruins Following The Explosion

Black Tom Ruins Following The Explosion

July 30th: Today in 1916 a huge explosion rocked Jersey City, New Jersey at the Black Tom Depot as tons of munitions were blown up by saboteurs flattening a huge area, killing and wounding many. The munitions were targeted as they were due to be shipped to the British, so an active group of German agents infiltrated the facility and took jobs as guards. Once in place it was easy for them to plant explosives and blow the depot sky high. The explosion was huge and was felt as far away as Philadelphia with shrapnel from explosion hitting the Statue of Liberty. The saboteurs were caught but the attack shook America and led to new anti-espionage laws being rushed through. This explosion and the later attack on the Kingsland Ammunition Plant, submarine warfare and the infamous Zimmerman Telegram pushed a reluctant America into World War One on the side of the French and British.

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