The Hindenburg Disaster occurred on May 6, 1937, when the German airship LZ 129 Hindenburg caught fire while attempting to land in Lakehurst, New Jersey. The incident resulted in the deaths of 36 people, including passengers and crew members. The Hindenburg was a large, rigid airship filled with hydrogen, a highly flammable gas, which contributed to the rapid spread of the fire. The disaster marked the end of the airship era for passenger travel, as it raised significant safety concerns. Prior to the incident, airships like the Hindenburg were popular for transatlantic flights, but the tragedy led to a decline in their use and a shift towards airplanes for long-distance travel.