Exploration
On May 3, 1952, Lt. Col. Joseph Fletcher became the first person to stand on the exact geographic coordinates of the North Pole. He flew there in a ski-modified C-47 that also carried a passenger who would become the first person to visit both poles. Because no reports have surfaced, it can only be assumed that he didn’t find Santa Claus or any elves.
Presidents
On May 4, 1977, British journalist David Frost interviewed former President Richard Nixon. The interview was televised and Nixon talked about the Watergate scandal. When his Russian counterpart at the time of his presidency was brought up, Nixon replied that he wouldn’t want to be a Russian leader because they never know when they’re being taped. What else was Nixon hiding?
Oregon
On May 5, 1945, a school teacher and five children dragged a Japanese explosive balloon, not knowing what it was, out of the woods near Lakeview, Ore. It exploded when they began tampering with it, killing all six people. It was one of only a handful of times the continental U.S. was attacked during World War II.
Air travel
On May 6, 1937, the Hindenburg, pride of Nazi Germany and the largest dirigible ever built, burst into flames upon touching its mooring mast in New Jersey. Lighter-than-air travel fell from favor. No dirigibles survived World War II, which is unfortunate, because they are an irreplaceable part of history.