The Great Stink That Brought London to Its Knees
In 1858, the smell of the River Thames got so bad it nearly shut down the British Parliament.
London dumped human waste, animal carcasses, and industrial chemicals straight into the river.
Then a brutal summer heatwave baked it into a toxic stew. The stench was so powerful people fainted in the streets.
Parliament was nearly brought to a standstill. Members fled committee rooms.
Some even discussed moving the government out of London.
Instead, in just 18 days, they passed a bill for a massive new sewer system — one still in use today.
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