The explosion in front of the J. P. Morgan building took place during a period of social and political upheaval in the United States. At noon on that fateful day, a horse-drawn wagon filled with 100 pounds of dynamite and 500 pounds of heavy sash weights detonated, resulting in a horrific scene. The blast shattered windows and caused extensive damage to nearby buildings, including the Morgan building itself. Eyewitness accounts describe the moment as a thunderous noise followed by a massive plume of smoke, leading to immediate panic among pedestrians and office workers alike.

Authorities quickly launched an investigation, and while no one was ever charged with the crime, suspicion fell on anarchist groups that were active in the country at the time. The bombing was regarded as an attack on the financial heart of America, and it highlighted the growing tensions between law enforcement and radical elements. The streets of Wall Street were lined with debris, and emergency services worked tirelessly to assist the wounded while searching for victims.

In the aftermath, the public demanded answers, and the event contributed to a wave of anti-radical sentiment across the nation. Security measures in financial districts increased substantially, and the event marked a pivotal moment in the subsequent crackdown on labor movements and anarchist activism. The magnitude and brutality of the bombing shocked the nation, catalyzing discussions surrounding national security and domestic terrorism that resonate in contemporary society.