May 6 in American History

May 6, 1937 — the Hindenburg disaster

The German passenger airship Hindenburg burst into flames while landing in Lakehurst, New Jersey, killing 36 people as a horrified radio announcer cried, "Oh, the humanity!" The disaster, captured on film and radio, ended the age of passenger airships almost instantly — and marked an early moment when live media brought catastrophe into American homes.

Common Questions About May 6

What happened on May 6 in American history?

In 1937: the Hindenburg disaster. The German passenger airship Hindenburg burst into flames while landing in Lakehurst, New Jersey, killing 36 people as a horrified radio announcer cried, "Oh, the humanity!" The disaster, captured on film and radio, ended the age of passenger airships almost instantly — and marked an early moment when live media brought catastrophe into American homes.

Why is May 6 significant?

The German passenger airship Hindenburg burst into flames while landing in Lakehurst, New Jersey, killing 36 people as a horrified radio announcer cried, "Oh, the humanity!" The disaster, captured on film and radio, ended the age of passenger airships almost instantly — and marked an early moment when live media brought catastrophe into American homes.

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