Images: 78th anniversary of the Hindenburg explosion
May 6, 2015, marks the 78th anniversary of the Hindenburg exploding as it prepared to land at Lakehurst Naval Air Station in 1937, in Lakehurst, N.J. The massive hydrogen-filled zeppelin burst into flames killing 35 passengers plus one person on the ground.
The German dirigible Hindenburg crashes to earth, tail first, in flaming ruins after exploding on May 6, 1937, at the U.S. Naval Station in Lakehurst, N.J. The 1920s and 1930s were the golden age of dirigibles which crossed the Atlantic Ocean in about three days - faster than a ship. The Hindenburg was the largest airship ever built at 804 feet long and flew up to 85 miles per hour while held aloft by hydrogen, which was highly flammable. The disaster, which killed 36 people after a 60-hour transatlantic flight from Germany, ended regular passenger service by the lighter-than-air airships.
Associated Press
The Hindenburg zeppelin hits the ground after an explosion in midair destroyed the hydrogen-inflated German airship over Lakehurst, N.J., on May 6, 1937. The crew was preparing to land at the U.S. Naval base station when the explosion occurred. Thirty six of the 97 persons on board were killed.
Associated Press
The Hindenburg zeppelin burns after it exploded prior to landing on the U.S. Naval air station field in Lakehurst, N.J. on May 6, 1937.
Associated Press
The Hindenburg zeppelin burns after it exploded during the docking procedure at Lakehurst Naval Air Station, N.J., on May 6, 1937. The hydrogen inflated dirigible burst into flames, killing 36 of the 97 persons on board.
Associated Press
The remains of the wreckage of the German Zeppelin Hindenburg are removed from the U.S. Naval field in Lakehurst, N.J., on May 15, 1937. The airship exploded midair prior to landing May 6.
Associated Press
Members of the U.S. Navy Board of Inquiry inspect the wreckage of the German zeppelin Hindenburg on the field of the Lakehurst Naval Air Station in New Jersey, May 8, 1937. The Hindenburg exploded after morning on May 6, killing 36 people.
Associated Press
Clouds of smoke rise from the twisted metal frame of the German airship Hindenburg as rescue workers arrive to look for possible survivors, May 6, 1937, in Lakehurst, N.J. The Hindenburg exploded as it was mooring at the Lakehurst Naval Air Station.
Associated Press
German airship 'Hindenburg' photographed from a plane, is seen flying over Manhattan Island, New York, USA in the 1930s.
Associated Press
The Zeppelin Hindenburg floats in a hazy sky near the Empire State Building over Manhattan, Aug. 8, 1938. The German airship is en route to Lakehurst, N.J. from Germany.
Associated Press
The German dirigible Hindenburg, with the swastika symbol visible on its tail wing, is shown just before it crashed upon landing at the U.S. Naval Station in Lakehurst, N.J., on May 6, 1937.
Associated Press
The fabric-covered walls in the main lounge aboard the zeppelin Hindenburg are decorated with a map of the world showing the routes of famous explorers, seen in this undated photograph. The luxurious aircraft is scheduled to land the night of May 8, 1936, in Lakehurst, New Jersey, on the first of ten rounds between its home base in Germany and the United States.
Associated Press
Max Schmeling, German heavyweight, (indicated by arrow) as he arrive in his homeland on the Zeppelin Hindenburg fresh from his defeat of Joe Louis, American boxer on July 2, 1936.
Associated Press
The German zeppelin Hindenburg flies over Manhattan on May 6, 1937. A few hours later, the ship burst into flames in an attempt to land at Lakehurst, USA. Sunday, May 6, 2007 marks the 70th anniversary of the disaster.
Associated Press
The German dirigible Hindenburg floats over New York City on the afternoon of May 6, 1937 as it heads for Lakehurst, N.J. to complete the 21st crossing from Germany to the United States. Later in the evening, the airship burst into flames when attempting to land.
Associated Press
Thirty five people are now dead and missing from the giant German Zeppelin ìHindenburgî which crashed in flames whilst mooring at Lakehurst, New Jersey, United States on May 6, 1937. Aerial view of all that remains of the ill-fated airship ìHindenburgî showing the crowd and the mooring mast in rear.
Associated Press
The German dirigible Hindenburg, with the swastika symbol visible on its tail wing, is shown just before it crashed upon landing at the U.S. Naval Station in Lakehurst, N.J., on May 6, 1937.
Associated Press
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