On This Day

By Princessa

A German zeppelin called the Hindenburg made its first transatlantic flight between Europe and the United States in 1936. Named after the late German president, Paul von Hindenburg, the airship was the largest ever made. Built by the Zeppelin Company and filled with hydrogen, it was luxurious indeed, with two decks spanning the entire width of the ship. Ironically, after at least ten crossings in 1936, its first trip of the 1937 season ended in disaster when the Hindenburg burst into flames as it landed in Lakehurst, New Jersey, on May 6, 1937 - just three days before the first anniversary of its maiden flight. Of the ninety-seven passengers on board, sixty-two lived to tell the tale.