Black December: When Sharks Attacks Compelled The Government To Bomb The Ocean

Sharks rarely attack humans, but that doesn't mean you would want to swim here. (ABC News)

Even the gnarliest, saltiest surfers in the world admit that sharks give them the willies. Thankfully, sharks attacks are so rare that we don't have to worry about them most of the time, but "most of the time" did not include the period between December 18, 1957 and April 5, 1958, known as "Black December." During that short stretch of time, nine people were attacked by sharks along the coast of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, six of whom died of their injuries. Believe it or not, that was just the beginning of the weirdness.