US 5-cent coin featuring the Hindenburg airship.
The LZ 129 Hindenburg was a German zeppelin airship destroyed by fire upon landing in New Jersey on May 6, 1937. The accident killed 36 people (approximately one-third of those on board). At the time, it received extensive media coverage and signaled the end of airships as a means of transportation.
On May 6, 1937, after crossing the Atlantic, the Hindenburg approached the mooring base at Lakehurst Naval Air Station (New Jersey), after waiting several hours for the storm to allow docking maneuvers.
At 7:25 p.m., as the Hindenburg had already released its moorings and was approaching the tower, a flash of St. Elmo's fire, consisting of extensive sparks of static electricity (there was a thunderstorm and the air was electrically charged), was observed at the stern. Suddenly, the upper part of the stern caught fire, spreading almost instantly throughout the airship as the structure slowly fell on the passengers jumping from a height of 15 meters and the sailors assisting in the maneuvers. It was completely destroyed in less than 40 seconds, and its structure remained on the ground for a long time until it was sold for scrap.
