50 years ago: The “Pioneer Family” sculpture, crafted by W. Walter Campbell of Hollidaysburg and weighing 2 ½ tons, was to be dedicated in front of the Blair County Courthouse Sunday, May 9.

25 years ago: Former U.S. Rep. Bud Shuster, retired for less than a year, was the speaker at the Penn State Altoona graduation, had a speaking engagement about once a week and had formed a consulting firm but couldn’t lobby on Capitol Hill for one year after retirement.

10 years ago: The Blair County War Veterans Council, assisted by the Central Pennsylvania National Guard Veterans Association, treated about 30 residents of the Hollidaysburg Veterans Home, Randa Deshone military affairs activities assistant, to a meal at Hoss’s.

— Compiled by Tim Doyle

World history

Today is Wednesday, May 6, the 126th day of 2026. There are 239 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On May 6, 1937, the hydrogen-filled German airship Hindenburg caught fire and crashed while attempting to dock at Lakehurst, New Jersey; 35 of the 97 people on board and one crew member on the ground were killed.

Also on this date:

In 1882, President Chester Alan Arthur signed the Chinese Exclusion Act, which barred Chinese laborers from immigrating to the U.S. for 10 years. (The act would remain in effect until 1943.)

In 1889, the Eiffel Tower opened to the public as part of the Paris World’s Fair.

In 1935, the Works Progress Administration was established under an executive order signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

In 1994, the Channel Tunnel connecting England and France beneath the English Channel was officially opened in a ceremony attended by Queen Elizabeth II and French President Francois Mitterrand.

In 2004, President George W. Bush apologized for the abuse of Iraqi prisoners by American soldiers at Abu Ghraib prison.