The Fall of the Hindenburg Michael Morrison

Nonfiction- Airships (background) Before airplanes were commonly used for transportation, travelers usually crossed the Atlantic by ship or for a short time before and after World War 1, by airships. Airships are often called zeppelins after Ferdinand Count von Zeppelin of Germany, who designed the most successful crafts. They are also known as dirigibles or blimps.

Background (continued) In 1936, the Hindenburg began commercial air service between Germany and the US. During its short period of operation, it carried 1,002 passengers on 19 scheduled flights. The flight in May of 1937, in which 36 of 97 people aboard were killed when the airship burst into flames while landing, marked the end of the use of airships in commercial aviation. Today, airships are used occasionally for commercial or recreational purposes.

THINK / PAIR / SHARE What are some advantages and disadvantages of air travel? Use these words: descend, insist, inspect, restrict, transport

Read pg. 16 The events detailed in this article was one of Great-grandma’s strange truths. Explain what she meant by “Truth’s stranger than fiction”. Give 2 examples. E.C. Listen to… “About the selection” and The Fall of the Hindenburg

Notes Exposition- explaining or giving information

The Hindenburg Website links… airships.net