The Puzzle of Herbert Morrison's Famous Cry
The Puzzle of Herbert Morrison's Famous Cry
On May 6, 1937, reporter Herbert Morrison was covering the Hindenburg disaster, a tragic event that occurred when the German airship LZ 129 Hindenburg caught fire and was destroyed during its attempt to dock at Naval Air Station Lakehurst in New Jersey. As Morrison witnessed the horrific scene unfold before his eyes, he famously cried out, "Oh, the humanity!"
This emotional outburst has since become one of the most iconic moments in broadcast journalism history. Morrison's cry captured the shock and devastation of the disaster, as well as the human toll it took on those aboard the airship and their loved ones.
The Hindenburg disaster marked a turning point in the history of air travel, leading to increased safety regulations and the eventual decline of airships as a mode of transportation. Morrison's emotional reaction to the event serves as a reminder of the power of journalism to convey the human experience in times of tragedy.
In conclusion, the event that caused reporter Herbert Morrison to famously cry, "Oh, the humanity!" was the Hindenburg disaster of May 6, 1937.