This week in history
May 6, 1937
The German zeppelin Hindenburg catches fire and is destroyed within a minute while attempting to dock at Lakehurst, New Jersey. Thirtysix people are killed.
May 7, 2000
Vladimir Putin is inaugurated as president of Russia.
May 8, 1886
Pharmacist John Pemberton first sells a carbonated beverage named “Coca-Cola” as a patent medicine.
May 9, 1671
Thomas Blood, disguised as a clergyman, attempts to steal England’s Crown Jewels from the Tower of London. He is later acquitted and receives more money from the king than the 71-year-old guard stabbed trying to defend the jewels.
May 10, 28 BC
A sunspot is observed by Han dynasty astronomers, one of the earliest dated sunspot observations in China.
May 11, 1949
Siam officially changes its name to Thailand for the second time. The name had been in use since 1939 but was reverted in 1945.
May 12, 1846
The Donner Party of pioneers departs Independence, Missouri for California, on what will become a year-long journey of hardship and cannibalism.