So, set aside your history textbooks, put on a record from yesteryear, and prepare to embark on a journey through some of the most captivating moments in history. These photographs will undoubtedly stir your emotions and leave you yearning for more as the stories they tell continue to resonate through the ages.
German Officer
One of the leading members of the German government during WWII is seen here in front of a POW. This photo is very influential and powerful because, unlike the other imprisoned soldiers, we see a shirtless man standing in defiance when the officer and his men walk past the others on the other side of the fence.
Almost 150,000 American soldiers were held as POWs during the horrific days of the Second World War, and more than 170,000 British soldiers were captivated, too. It is believed that almost 30% of all prisoners never survived and found their death in the camps.
Jimi Hendrix
This image says a lot about the late Jimi Hendrix. It’s powerful because it was taken before his untimely demise at the age of 27 in 1970. He was an extremely talented guitarist, and he influenced many people during his reign. He also sang and performed his own music, which makes him one of the greatest in music history. Hendrix was even inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his contributions to music during his career.
Hendrix was phenomenal at playing blues, rock, jazz, soul, and whatever he put his fingers on. His versatility contributed to his unique signature in the music industry and to the distinctive sound he produced.
Andre, the Giant
This image shows a young boy who is completely in awe before Andre the Giant’s sheer height. Andre was over 7 feet and 4 inches tall and was a well-known wrestler and actor. His most famous role was in the film "The Princess Bride," where his gigantism, caused by an excess of the growth hormone, came to good use.
For more than 15 years, Andre the Giant was undefeatable in the wrestling ring, and he thrashed big names, including Hulk Hogan. Some consider Andre the eighth wonder of the world, and since his death in 1993, no one has managed to replace this phenomenon.
Audrey Hepburn, She's Just Like Us!
In this beautiful photo dated 1958, we see Audrey Hepburn holding a young baby fawn, which was her pet. Audrey was one of the most successful actresses of her time and was publicly known for her astonishing performance in "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and many other movies. She was married to Mel Ferrer, and besides wonderful films, she has left her legacy behind, too.
Audrey Hepburn took home the baby fawn when in 1959, the "Green Mansions" director suggested she took home the baby animal so they could connect and perform better together on set. They bonded and formed an unbreakable relationship, one that Hepburn would famously be recognized.
Times Square's Kiss
This next photo has been proven to be one of the most viewed kissing scenes around the world. This was V-J Day, otherwise known as “Victory over Japan Day,” which was marked by the beginning of the end of World War II. On August 14th, 1945, when the announcement was made that the war was over and Japan had surrendered, this sailor grabbed a total stranger and kissed her in the middle of Times Square in New York City.
The photo was taken by Alfred Eisenstaedt, who just happened to be at the right place and at the right time. In 2005, John Seward Johnson II presented in Times Square a reenactment of the kiss. The ceremony held at the time included Carl Muscarello and Edith Shain, who claim to be the kissing sailor and nurse.
Salvador Dali & Raquel Welch
Raquel Welch was one of the most desired women in the 60s. In this photo, we see the famous painter Salvador Dali, who painted a portrait of Welch. Dali painted her with passion and was infatuated with her together with the rest of the world. This photo was taken when Dali kissed Welch and thanked her for allowing him to express his art through her.
Over the years, Dali painted more than 1500 paintings; however, he was never known for his painting of beautiful women's portraits. He is most recognized with Persistence of Memory and the melting watches, which date back to 1931.
Woodstock
In 1969, Woodstock had over 400,000 people visit from all over the world. It lasted for three days and took place in Upstate New York. In this photo, we see an aerial view of the stated amount of people dancing and enjoying their freedom. These were the days of the Vietnam War, and it was time for people to share their love, connect with their spirituality, and spread their message of peace and love.
The heavy rain and muddy conditions didn't stop the crowds from roaring into the festival and marking their mark in music history. The event cost the producers almost $3 million and only made a profit of $1.8 million; however, the impact and significance Woodstock had on following generations, even to this day, is priceless.
The R.M.S Titanic
This is a photo of the R.M.S Titanic as it sailed its way from South Hampton to New York City. Before the dreadful sinking of this glorious ship, it was scheduled to set sail on April 10th, 1912, and on April 14th, 1912, just a few days after it left South Hampton, the thought to be “indestructible” ship hit an iceberg that pierced a hole in the frontal area of the ship and made it sink.
The ship hit the iceberg at exactly 11:40 P.m. and sank along with over 1,500 passengers who died because there weren't enough lifeboats to save everyone on board. A total of 2,224 people were on board that ship, and only a few made it out alive.
Albert Einstein
This photo was taken in 1939 in Nassau Point on Long Island, New York. Einstein is the brilliant mind behind the theory of relativity; he was the Nobel Prize winner in Physics back in 1921 and is one of the greatest contributors to science. Seeing a photo of Einstein in a pose like this, relaxed and enjoying the beach, is rare, and there are very few photos like this out there.
Albert Einstein once said that his vacation at Long Island was "One of the most restful and zestful vacations." Einstein led a relatively modest life with a daily routine of breakfast, a short walk, and then work. Whenever he was caught on holiday, it was a rare moment.
Sweden's Shift
Up until 1967, the Swedish drivers drove like the British people, and when the drivers were given the authority to drive on the opposite side of the road, it was chaos. It was a matter of time until a disaster happened, as the shift occurred overnight, and in Sweden, September 3rd is considered H day, which stands for Högertrafikomläggningen, the Right-Hand Traffic Diversion.
The idea of driving on the right side of the road was dropped on a few occasions, and more than 80% of the Swedish population was against this decision. In 1967, Sweden realized it only made sense to adapt its roads to its fellow neighbors, and since then, they have been doing it right.
Merry Christmas
This photo was taken in 1935 and featured Ralph Horton, Jr. and Kirk LeMoyne Billings alongside John F. Kennedy. This was not just any ordinary photo. It was a Christmas card the three portraited for, that was sent to all their families and friends. These were the days when Kenndy might have been popular within his own crowd; however, the words were still unaware of the great politician he was about to become.
Kirk LeMoyne Billings, who passed away in 1981, was a dear friend of John F. Kennedy and the entire Kennedy family. The two shared the same room in college; Billings was an usher at Kennedy's wedding and was a dominant supporter during his campaign for president.
The Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary
The Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary is located on the island of Alcatraz, just right off the coast of San Francisco. It was first opened in 1934 and closed down in 1963. Here is a rare photo of the last few inmates leaving the prison on the day it was scheduled to close. This came after a successful and violent inmate escape, which led to the prison closing in June of 1962.
In its prime days, Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary held the most dangerous prisoners, those who fled custody, and some of the most famous ones, such as Al Capone, Alvin Karpis, and Machine Gun Kelly.
Christmas During the Great Depression
The great depression hovered between 1929 and 1939 and is still spoken of to this day. It left a great impact on world economics and delivered a significant lesson that still affects major economic decisions debated today. This photo is of young children eating their Christmas Dinner. The dinner included cabbage and turnips, which were the only thing accessible at that time.
A typical Christmas during the Depression was not much different than any other day. It didn't always include presents; most people visited the church, and if you were lucky, you were served chicken alongside your overcooked cabbage and turnips.
A 1941 Christmas Feast
The first colored photograph was invented in 1890; however, it was not until the mid-20th century that colored images became more popular and eventually became the default. This photo is one of the few that dates back to the 1940s. This photograph is chilling and almost surreal. It is of a Christmas Party hosted by the then-German chancellor in 1941.
This photo, alongside others that were taken during that same dinner, was buried at the end of the war in a glass jar and was found only in 1955, almost ten years later. The German Christmas dinner was much more than just a holiday feast; it was a time for the propaganda of German traditions.
1890s Prosthetics
The earliest documentation of prosthetics goes back to 1579. A French doctor, Ambroise Paré, described in writing the prosthetics he used on some of his amputees. The artificial LED was only thought of in 1846, almost 300 years later, and since then, the science behind prosthetic limbs has constantly evolved.
In this photo, we see an 1890s version of the prosthetic legs given to a young child. As you can see, this girl is steadily standing with her two legs to give her support to stand. Back then, prosthetic legs had to be connected to your body to make sure that it would move properly with the designated limb.
Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. was one of history’s iconic role models. In this photo, the late civil rights leader is seen with his son on the front lawn of his home, taking a burnt cross out of his grass. Being the calm and loving person that he was, he took the cross off his lawn after it was burnt there by white supremacist individuals trying to make a statement.
He removed the cross while his son watched him, hoping to teach his future generation a lesson or two in life. These kinds of photos are not seen too often of great leaders in such intimate situations.
The 1920s Beach Authority
Back in the 1920s, there was a specific person appointed at every beach that had the authority to measure every woman’s bathing suit to make sure that it was long enough and not considered indecent. If you really think about it, people back then were very strict with women’s attire at the beach. If it was considered too short, she would be fined a hefty fee.
The inner feminist in us rejects this idea, and this for sure would not be accepted these days. The 20th century delivered the most change, especially in women's rights, than any other century before then, and this photo shows the progress humanity has made.
Spray Tanning
This was taken in 1956 in France when the quickest and most efficient way to get a tan was to get a fake one. Going down to the beach would have been too much of a hassle, so when these tanning machines were introduced, it was a complete game changer. Since then, the machinery has improved, and the opportunities are endless.
This Parisien woman is having her body spared in a darker shade. It was done using an infrared gun, which apparently didn't burn the skin. The fact that people could darken their skin in a matter of minutes was a surprising innovation that still goes on to this day.
Walter Yeo
This is Walter Yeo in a photo taken in 1917. He was an English sailor during World War I who received a very bad facial injury and needed serious reconstructive surgery. Yeo was thought to be one of the first individuals in the world to ever receive facial reconstruction by using a skin flap.
At the time, this type of advanced plastic surgery still did not exist, making his case the first in history. Walter Yeo's surgery was a turning point in medicine, leading to innovation with the first cosmetic plastic surgery conducted in 1962, changing the face of humanity forever.
Making the Berlin Wall
This is the Berlin Wall when it was built back in 1961. This wall was designated to separate East Germany and West Germany after the division of the country following the outcomes of the Second World War. It was built by the German Democratic Republic to cut off the Western part of the City, both ideologically and physically.
In this rare image, the people on the Eastern side of the city are the ones building the wall, while the ones on the Western side have no clue as to what is about to happen to their beloved capital. It would be a further 30 years before the world changed, and the wall would be torn down.
London, 1940
Although England didn't have camps and Germany didn't invade the land, during the Second World War, England, and especially London, was under constant bombing. This was called "The Blitz," and it left many parts of the city in total destruction. This photo was taken in London in 1940 and features a little girl amongst the ruins.
During The Blitz," many children were evacuated out of major cities and were moved to the countryside, or in worst cases, were shipped to other countries as the government did everything it could to save the younger generation. Australia was one of the places these kids were shipped over to.
Disneyland
This is adorable Shirley Temple; surrounded by Disney characters, every little girl's dream comes true. It was taken on December 23rd, 1937 when Temple was escorted by the dwarfs to the premier of the premiere of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," which just came out. Shirley Temple was no stranger to the camera, and she loved it just as much as it loved her.
Temple was an adorable child star best known for her performances in "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm" and "Little Miss Marker." In later years, she became the honorable American ambassador to Ghana and the former Czechoslovakia.
The Original Ronald McDonald
This is a photo of the original Ronald McDonald before he became what he is now. In 1963, this is how he looked like. This famous clown was the live logo for the fast food chain. In this photo, we see him carrying a tray of fries and drinks as he waves at the crowd and the photographer. At the time, his face was made of a cup nose and face paint that looked like a clown's.
Ronal Macdonald went through a few changes over the years, and in 2016, he left the brand for good. The resemblance of the McDonald's icon to a scary clown was never properly dismissed and caused a few controversial episodes over the years.
The Baby Cage
During the primitive years, people used baby cages like this which were meant to make sure that children were getting enough sunlight and fresh air. Seems a little dangerous, but that’s how people used to do it back then. This photo was taken around the year 1937 in a high-rise apartment building.
The cage consisted of a bed and was named "The Health Cage." Fresh air and ventilation were believed to be key for fighting pandemics, and this gained great popularity in the 1930s. The rise in urban automobiles and the question of safeness gradually brought down the use of the phenomenal.
The Hindenburg Disaster
Although this photo resembles the Titanic in a way, this is a photo of the Hindenburg Disaster taken on May 6th, 1937. This sensational photo occurred when the German airship carrying many passengers caught fire when it was trying to dock at a Naval Air Station Lakehurst in New Jersey. A total of 36 people were killed in the fire, and 62 people survived.
The event was marked by photographs, newsreel coverage, and eyewitness testimonies that were recorded and played back on the radio to this day. Such a rare opportunity to take this kind of photo and such astonishing footage of a devastating event.
Charlie Chaplin
It's not easy to try and imagine Charlie Chaplin before he became a star. He is best known for his signature mustache, hat, makeup, and attire, but in this rare photo, we see him totally raw. Here we see his 27-year-old self in 1916 before he became famous for his silent movies. Before he became well-known for his silent films, he was a writer, filmmaker, composer, and writer, among other things.
Charlie Chaplin was born in 1889 in London, England, and died on Christmas Day in 1977. His comedic timing during the silent film era in Hollywood helped him rise to fame, which we all know him to be to this day.
The King of Rock and Roll Before He Was the King
The kink of Rock N' Role is usually seen in his glamorous outfits; however, here we have a photograph of the late king in military uniform alongside other soldiers he served with during the Second World War. This was taken in 1958, a couple of years after he became internationally loved and known, but before he changed music, as known back then, forever.
This shot was taken while Elvis was serving his country. This was two years after his first number-one hit, "Heartbreak Hotel," was released and two years before his greatest hit' "It's Now or Never," came out and went viral within no time.
The Statue of Liberty
In this rare and periodic photo, we see a young child and a woman standing beside the face of the Statue of Liberty while it is being assembled in France. At the time, it was being prepared for shipment to New York to be displayed as a gift to the United States. This statue became a simple of America, both the country and its people.
This photo was taken in 1885, seen by the way the people were dressed back then. This is truly a rare and one-of-a-kind photo in this collection, presenting not only the people and how they looked back then but also one of America's most recognized symbols.
Chemical Warfare Precautions
With the Second World War rearing its ugly head in the winter of 1938, Men and women from all over the United Kingdom started to take precautions regarding Chemical Warfare. Of course, there were many rumors of a gas bombing at that time, which is why people took their own chance at safety; however, no gas was ever used.
Here in the photo, we see a woman walking down the street with her stroller, which is completely encased with gas-resistant material. This photo was taken in London in 1938, less than a year before the war that changed the world.
Olive Ann Oatman
This rare image shows Olive Ann Oatman. Her family came from Illinois, and in 1851 was captured and killed. Olive Ann Oatman and her sister were captured by a Present-day Arizona Native American Tribe called the Tolkepayas that later sold the girls to another tribe called the Mohave People. Her sister died of hunger several years later. Olive was lucky as she was able to return to American Society after spending five years imprisoned.
Later on, her tale was retold dramatically in the press in her own “memoir” through speeches, novels, plays, movies, and poetry. Many people still do not know what really happened to her while she was detained, but the tattoos sparked a media story long after her captivity.
Bernard Herzog
Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines, was a prisoner camp during the Second World War. This photograph shows American troops listening to his story after his liberation. The prisoners who fought during the Second World and found themselves in Santo Tomas were kept under harsh conditions, and many of them never survived.
The main concern was the prisoner's diet while in captivity. They most probably lived off plain white rice with no other food groups in their daily nutrition. Bernard Herzog returned to Marysville and worked for a local taxi company after the war ended; however, it is reported that he never truly recovered.
The Gustav Railway Gun
In this photo, we see the German leader look at the Gustav Railway Gun. This gun was used limitedly during the war. It was used primarily to break the French’s Maginot line of defense. It was a great weapon cannon, but they tried not to use it so much so as not to use up everything all at once. Such a heavy weapon should only be used on special occasions or in desperation.
The Gustav Railway Gun was developed in 1930 by Krupp in Rügenwalde. The Krupp family was a 400-year-old dynasty known for developing and producing steel, ammunition, and artillery weapons.
The old Stockholm Telephone Tower
This is a rare photo of the old Stockholm Telephone Tower. This amazing tower was built in the Swedish Capital of Stockholm; however, it was found in several neighboring countries in northern Europe. It was primarily used to connect more than 5,000 telephone wires shortly before the telephone companies started burying their wires, but there was a limit to the number of wires it could hold.
Since most people didn't like what it looked like because of the danger and the eye sore, the tower burned down in 1953, and with that, it changed the way we connect our telephone wires. These days, all wires are either buried underground or use digital technology.
Space Cats
In the 20th century, traveling into space was kept as an unknown mystery until, in 1969, the first man landed on the moon. Up until then, many questions were left with a big question mark, and experiments had to be held, like the one shown in this photo of a cat in a weightless environment. Scientists used a kitten as a replacement for human testing for medical specifics in space.
Captain Druey P. Parks flew an F-94C jet to 25,000 feet in the air to study the reaction of the cat while it was up in the sky. The cat did not suffer any trauma while in the sky, and the research was able to provide further data before launching a human for the first time.
The Birthday Procession of Queen Elizabeth
When it comes to British customs and tradition, one has to be aware of the rules on how to faint with grace. In 1970, during the Birthday Procession of Queen Elizabeth, one of the soldiers passed out, presumably because it can get very hot wearing the traditional uniform, and they are also obliged to lock their knees while standing.
Trooping the Colour, the annual parade celebrating the monarch's birthday, involved the king or queen riding around the many troops presented before them. The queen is seen here inspecting the troops from the back as part of the traditional ceremony. The camera froze this scene, creating historical (and hysterical) moments in history.
Ham the Chimp
The first attempt to send a chimpanzee up into space is a familiar story. The ape's name was Ham, also known as Ham the Astrochimp. On January 31st, 1961 Ham was launched into space from Cape Canaveral and thankfully returned back to Earth unharmed except for a small bruise on his nose.
Ham's journey was part of Project Mercury, a U.S. space program, and lasted only 16 minutes. This was part of an experiment that was meant to clear the final hurdles before launching the first human astronaut into space. Ham lived happily for a further 22 years in The National Zoo.
Sarah Silverman's Headshot
The differences between back then and nowadays headshots are significant. Just by looking at the famous one of Sarah Silverman, it is clear that a lot of progress has been made in photography and in Hollywood. Saying that some things remain exactly the same.
It was never easy for young actors to get cast during auditions, so they had to go through the hard way like all the others before they became famous. They regularly heard the word NO much more than they did the word YES and. This image is a headshot of Sarah Silverman, who said that she remembered the day this was taken very clearly. The photographer gave her his blazer so she looked more mature.
The Karshorter Racecourse
In this photo, German soldiers try to practice at the Karshorter Racecourse in Berlin in 1935. In fact, they did not only train themselves, but they also trained their horses to stay still and not be disturbed by the sound of gunshots. This was only to make sure that they did not end up panicking during combat.
Although standing on the horse's saddle with both feet was not a common act, they usually kept one foot in a stirrup. When mechanized warfare following WWI was introduced, soldiers no longer had any use for their horses. However, the German reign and the Soviets still used millions of horses in their military operations in WWII.
Muhammad Ali & Mike Tyson
Muhammad Ali is considered one of the greatest boxers ever, if not THE greatest. Saying that, Mike Tyson is not far behind. They fought at different times and never opposed each other. This rare photo of Ali and Tyson was published on Tyson's Instagram page. All he wrote was "Still a Fan," which basically says it all.
During their careers, Ali fought in over 500 rounds, while Tyson participated in only 200. Muhamad Ali was known as one whose aim was to knock down and embarrass his opponent. They are incomparable; however, each left a significant mark on American sports history.
Disguise
This image was created by the American makeup artist Eddie Senz. She is best known for her uncompromising work on many Hollywood movies, including "Invisible Avenger" and "The Light Ahead.". She is also known for her remarkable work on the portrait of the former German chancellor.
The top left photo is the original image of the country leader, and the rest are the same image, just doctored. This was done several years after the Second World War ended, giving OSS agents an idea of what he could have looked like under disguise. The former German leader took his own life after being hunted by the Russian troops.
Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali was no doubt one of the greatest boxers of all time. Before he became who he was, he was named Cassius Clay, a young man from Louisville, Kentucky, who was destined for great things. In this rare photo, we see him training and posing underwater at the Sir John Hotel in Miami in 1961.
Muhamad Ali was also known as "The Greatest," and even to this day, he is regarded as one of the most significant sportsmen of the 20th century. The man who started off as an amateur boxer at the age of 12 changed the way people saw boxing and left us with the wonderful quat; "Float like a butterfly. Sting like a bee. You can't hit what your eyes don't see."
The Last Known Public Execution in America
This rare photo is the last known public execution in America, which took place on August 14th, 1936. It was the execution of Rainey Bethea. This public performance contributed to the end of public executions in the United States forever. This was an item of personal interest and controversy as it involved several mistakes and chaos.
Florence Thompson, who was at the time the sheriff of Davies County, was the one who was supposed to execute the hanging of Bethea; however, when former policeman of Louisville, Arthur L. Hash, offered to do it instead, Thompson willingly accepted. Hash showed up drunk and missed his shot creating disarray out of what was already a controversial event.
Mini Mount Rushmore
Mount Rushmore was truly one of America’s greatest creations. In fact, it was even supposed to be much larger than it originally was. In this photo, we see the monument’s designer, Gutzon Borglum, scrutinizing the scale model. Sadly, this scale model was never continued because the project ran out of money.
Mount Rushmore was designated to celebrate the great presidents of the nation and the greatness of the country they delivered with them. The completion of the memorial site took four years to fulfill, and it represents the first 150 years of great American history. To this day, it is one of the most visited places in the country.
Babies for Sale
Kim Cotton made history, and the world before her was very different than what it is today. Cotton was the first surrogate mother, leaving an unerasable mark on the pages of history. She is from the UK and working for an agency; she was paid for carrying the child of another couple.
She never met the people who would soon be the parents of the baby she carried, unlike today when many families form a strong relationship with the surrogate mother. Her actions made history with the NHS ( British Health System) after surrogate services partly sponsored by the government.
Inejiro Asanuma
Inejiro Asanuma was a Japanese politician who was quite known for his controversial socialism and advocacy on the post-war in Japan. He also was known for supporting the Chinese regime at the time. In this rare photo, Asanuma is seen attacked by a young seventeen-year-old with a sword during a televised debate on October 12, 1960.
This highlighted event in Japanese history sparked a mass demonstration and caused the disintegration of the Japan Socialist Party, which eventually was resurrected as the Social Democratic Party in 1996. The young attacker was Otoya Yamaguchi, and right after he took Asunama's life, he took his own.
Stacked Barrels
In 1942, the authorities collected and stacked all of the barrels that you see in the photo because it was ready to be set on fire. This was during the prohibition when liquor was outlawed. This law was instituted in 1920, and it lasted until it was supported by a coalition of rural protestants and urban progressives.
On December 5th, 1933, this was codified in the 18th Amendment, which was repealed with the passage of the 23rd Amendment. In the long run, however, this has proved to be an unsuccessful project, but it did reduce all alcohol consumption to about 20%.
Buster, the Roller-Skating Rooster
If there was such a thing as roller skating popularity back then, you would never believe your eyes when you see this photo. Here is Buster, the roller-skating rooster. This photo was taken on Aug 17, 1952, when the buster made his way between a girl’s legs during a photo session with the former Los Angeles Times staff photographer Leigh Weiner.
The rooster was owned by Billy Lehr. As it turns out, Lehr trained his rooster to skate, and they would practice on the Los Angeles sidewalks. The rooster was known to ice skate, too, and his photo on ice skates has been documented, too.
Free at Last
This is one historical moment. It was taken on December 7th, 1953, outside the Supreme Court Building in Washington. This day would bring years of history to an end and place society on to a new and bright future. These people in line were waiting to hear the arguments regarding the constitutionality of segregation in public schools.
In May 1954, life changed forever for so many people. The Supreme Court ruled that what began in 1896 would come to an end, and segregation in public schools would now and forever be unconstitutional. He explained that segregation violated the Fourteenth Amendment of the Equal Protection Clause. Separation could not be equal.
Roller Skating at the Disco
Ah, the Disco Era! Who could forget all the roller skating and the constant need to disco? Certainly, this is one of those photos that we just can’t get enough of. Did you know that roller skating was invented in the 1930s? Although it was first introduced during this time, it never really became as popular as it was in the 70s.
In this image, we can see people having a ball in 1979 at the Roxy Roller Disco. The 1970s and early 1980s swept New York ( and eventually the entire world) with dazzling bright colors, introducing a new dancing era that still pumps to this day.
Reichserntedankfest Rally
In 1934, the Thanksgiving Celebration of the Reich, otherwise called the Reichserntedankfest Rally. There were over 700,000 participants. It was such a big event that no one expected to have that many people in one place. It was a powerful event, too, and it certainly boosted morale and royalty among German Citizens.
Although this photo may look like a rally to so many people, it isn’t. It is a Thanksgiving celebration and can sometimes be mistaken for rallies at Nuremberg. This was taken almost five years before the Second World War broke, so the regime rallies in such great volume would only take place a few years later.
A Liverpool School During the War
During the Second World War, the British Islands were constantly bombed by Germany, and as a precaution, all citizens of the UK were required to wear a mask. Children were not an exception, and the entire population had to practice wearing these masks to ensure they were ready should the worst come.
Everyday activities, especially for these young children, would not be interrupted by the masks, and life had to go on. The children in this photo are seen waiting patiently in line for their turn on the seesaw. The discomfort of wearing this is disturbingly felt by looking at them and their body language.
The Prohibition
This photo shows alcohol being poured from out a window during a prohibition. Any business owner will go through all kinds of trouble to make sure that their business thrives, and after police had found out about the illegal business going on inside an apartment, naturally, they had to dispose of the booze.
Prohibition was embraced by the American government in 1919, and it managed to hold on until 1933. During this time, alcohol became banned, which led to criminal offenses performed by those who traded it. The prohibition was proved to be ultimately unsuccessful in the long run because many people draw parallels between contemporary recreational illegal substances and alcohol.
Nagasaki, 1945
This photo is of the before and after of the Japanese city of Nagasaki. It was bombed on August 9, 1945. A plutonium bomb was detonated over the city, killing over 39,000 to 80,000 people that day. These photos only show rare proof of what had happened.
The bombing of Nagasaki was the beginning of the end of the Second World War. Six days after the horrific event, the Japanese army surrendered, and on September 2nd, 1945, the Instrument of Surrender was signed. Studies claim that there was no other way to bring the war to an end, and if atomic weapons were not used, the war would have resulted in many more casualties on both sides.
Kobe, 1945
The bombing of the Japanese city of Kobe was all part of the strategic campaign that was waged by the United States of America against civilian and military targets. A few months later, during the war, the city was bombed for the second time because it was the sixth-largest area of Japan, with a population of over one million people.
This photo is unique and rare and shows the city of Kobe from a bird's view. The raid that took place on the 16th and 17th of March 1945 was one of the harshest ones in that war, making only the bombing of Hiroshima more tragic and devastating.
The Gadget
The device seen in this photo is called Trinity. It was the widget used for nuclear testing that was nicknamed The Gadget. This device was considered the first ever Atomic Bomb made to be tested at the Trinity Site in New Mexico on July 16th, 1945, near Alamogordo. It was also the first bomb to be detonated in the Manhattan Project. J. Robert Oppenheimer came up with the code name “Trinity,” which was taken from a line of John Donne's Poetry.
The structure of The Gadget was used again, and it replicated the design of the Fat Man, which was the bomb used during the last days of the Second World War.
The Bikini Atoll Program
In this photo, we see the nuclear testing at the Bikini Atoll program, which was a series of 23 nuclear devices detonated by the United States between the years 1946 to 1958. Seems a bit scary that it was detonated so close to neighboring islands, but these weapons were tested on the reef itself and in the air.
This all started in July of 1946 with Operation Crossroads, a nuclear weapon test. The island of Bikini Atoll, which is one of the 23 islands that consisted of the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean, was uninhabitable because of all the radiation.
Testing a Bulletproof Vest
In this photo, we see the testing of a bulletproof vest dated back to 1923. This demonstration was shot live at Washington City police headquarters. The two men in the photo are WH Murphy and his assistant at the Protective Garment Corporation of New York. The vest weighed about 11lb, which was considered comfortable and efficient because it fit perfectly on the body.
Soon after this vest was tested, the Protective Garment Corporation of New York started to manufacture a lightweight vest for the police to use. Of course, these men were inventors and salesmen, and their main goal was to convince the police that their vests worked and that they would save hundreds of lives.
India’s First Satellite
India's first experimental satellite was all solid; it weighed more than 17 tons, was over 20 meters high, and had the ability to place 40 kg of class payloads in LEO ( Low Earth Orbit). It was launched in July of 1980, making India the sixth of the prestige space-faring nation club. This is a rare photo of the satellite, which looks nothing like it would have done today.
The SLV-3 (Satellite Launch Vehicle-3) project paved the way for many future satellite projects, such as the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and the Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV), which were both successful.
Osama Bin Laden & Family
In the late 1990s of the past century and well into the beginning of the 2000s, Osama Bin Laden was the number one wanted man by the American government. Bin Laden was known for his extreme and terrorized ways, threatening the entire free and democratic world. In May 2011, he was finally caught and killed; however, his life was not always to the extreme.
In this photo, you can see a young Osama Bin Laden, who appears to be like any other normal kid his age. This photo was taken during a trip to Sweden with his family in the 1970s. He is second from the right with no worries to his name and no clue as to what the future was about to bring.
The Last Chopper
In an attempt to prevent the spread of the regime, the U.S. found itself at was in Vietnam and involved in foreign policy, national feer, and economic interests, which didn't completely end until late 1975. A place that was a completely foreign land was soon to become a clear definition of an era.
In this photo, the horrors and most devastating hours are presented as an American Evacuee tries to get a spot on the last chopper out of the US embassy. This was in 1975 when people were being evacuated from Saigon. This man knew that if he missed this ride home, there might not be another.
The Atomic Bomb Testing
The Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) was once known as the Nevada Test Site (NTS), where nuclear tests were conducted. Between 1951 and 1992, more than 1000 tests were accomplished, 900 of them being performed underground. This rare photo shows o testing site in the mid-50s of the last century.
Mannequins were used regularly on these sites and were dressed in different clothing and accessories. It was important to evaluate the impact and effect of nuclear weapons, and at the time, this was the most efficient way. The 1990s saw the last of these tests, as they didn't simulate reality anymore.
The Cape Canaveral Missile Test Annex
The Cape Canaveral Space Force Station is a headquarters located near the Patric Space Force Base in Florida. Numerous American space explorations were launched from there, including the first U.S. astronaut in orbit. In September of 1962, the Cape Canaveral Missile Test Annex took place, and some rare photos were shot.
The controversial relationship between John F. Kennedy and Vice President Lyndon John was no secret. In 1962, the two weren't as close as the president and his vice ought to be, so seeing the two in this photo so close to one another is definitely rare. There aren't too many photos out there showing the two so close.
The MGM Lion
During the 1980s and 1990s, every Hollywood picture opened with a lion. Here’s a rare photo of the MGM lion rehearsing the famous whine that indicated the movie was about to begin. This was released in the studio in 1928. Now, the lion was not just any lion. He had a name and personality, and he was an undetachable part of the film industry.
The MGM Studios used to name all of the lions they used while making movies; however, they were all called Leo. The only one that had a different name was the one that was used in the movie openings, and he was named Jack.
The Winter War
Also known as The Winter War, the riots between Russia and Finland took place between 1939 and 1949 and are not much spoken of because it was another battle in the Second World War. The former Soviet invasion suffered many losses, and although it was considered stronger than Finland, it managed to make little headway. This next photograph is of Finnish troops on skis marching toward the front.
The cold weather was not a threat to the soldiers on either side and even in the most severe conditions, the troops were loyal to their homeland. Many soldiers on both sides ended up as casualties due to severe cold weather that was unsuited for human living.
Democracy in Afghanistan
This photo is a rare moment in History. Higher education, access to public transportation, and a professional career were still part of Afghanistan women. In those days, women were not supervised by their husbands, and unlike today, they were able to wear Western clothing. Since this photo was taken, many things have changed.
From the late days of the 1980s until the early days of the 1990s, the regime in Afghanistan changed, and almost all women's rights were taken away from them and outlawed by the new leaders of the country. This photo also reflects how extreme Afghanistan has become and how women are considered second-class citizens.
Helen Keller & Charlie Chaplin
Helen Keller was an American advocate and author; however, she was best known for her disability as she could not see or hear. In her early life, she communicated using home signs; however, she then learned how to read and eventually earned a university degree in art. In those days, Charlie Chaplin was a British filmmaker who rose to fame through his unique silent films.
This rare image shows a very young Helen Keller seated center with the amazing Charlie Chaplin. Keller taught Chaplin sign language, and although she herself couldn't see any of the movies, she still made an effort to watch them.
Tiananmen Square, 1989
In the 1980s, China was going through significant changes, and the traditional regime began bending its own rules and allowing foreign investors into the country. The purpose was to boost the economy and improve living standards. This led to a corrupted government which led to student riots.
In the spring of 1989, Chinese students who pleaded for political freedom gathered in Tiananmen Square and were then put down by the government in a horrible and brutal display of power. It was a sad day for China; thousands of students were killed, and on that day, the country changed its ways forever.
The Moon, 1972
In 1972, Apollo 16 went on its moon mission and left behind more than it came back with. Astronaut Charlie Duke, who was on Apollo 16, decided to take a photo with his wife and two kids. On the back of the photo, he wrote, "This is the family of astronaut Charlie Duke from planet Earth who landed on the moon in April 1972."
He left the photo on the surface of the moon, where it still remains to this day, along with his footprints. This was Charlie Duke's third and final trip into space, and he has for sure left his mark up there.
Evelyn McHale
Evelyn McHale was a bookkeeper born to a family of nine. Her mother suffered from untreated depression, which probably answers what ended up with Evelyn's life. Her mother's condition led to the family breaking up, and Evelyn eventually moved to the Big Apple. She was engaged to Barry Rhodes and tried to live a normal life until tragedy struck.
In 1947, she leaped to her death from the top of the Empire State Building, which was almost 102 floors up in the air, and landed on a vehicle that was parked just below the building. Robert Wiles, a photography student, happened to pass by and documented the moment.
Pablo Escobar
Pablo Escobar has always been a fascinating character both to people in the United States and even to people from other countries. Here we see Pablo Escobar posing as the revolutionary Pancho Villa. This image is hung at the Enviagado Prison, one of the prisons where Escobar was incarcerated and where nine of his inmates managed to escape.
To many, Pablo Escobar was considered a great leader. He fed the poor, reconstructed their neighborhoods, and made them do anything for him. He stimulated positive change, and in those people's eyes, he was their savior. It is believed that in his prime days, Escobar made more than $50 million on illegal activities.
The Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty was first built in France before arriving in New York. This photo is a rare glimpse of the statue just as it was being prepared for being shipped and pieced together very carefully on her pedestal. In the photo, you can also see the left hand holding the tablet while the workers construct the rest of her parts.
The statue was a gift of appreciation from the French government, representing their gratitude and in honor of the alliance during the American Civil War. The photo was taken in 1884 before the statue became one of America's greatest symbols that represents everything this country stands for.
The Mona Lisa
Painted in 1503 by Leonardo da Vinci, the Mona Lisa has become one of the most famous female figures in art, if not THE most famous one. No trip to the Louver would ever be complete without visiting her, and it is considered an archetypal masterpiece of the Renaissance period. During WWII, there was no way a precious painting like this could have been left in the museum, and the Mona Lisa was hidden in the French countryside, away from war and in safety.
In this photo, she is seen being returned to the museum after the war ended. The Mona Lisa is one of the most valuable paintings in history; some say even more than one billion dollars.
Lewis Payne
Lewis Payne is also known as Lewis Thornton Powell or Lewis Paine. Either way, he was an American Confederate soldier who was accused of taking William Henry Seward's life as part of the Lincoln assassination plot, one of the most talked about conspiracies in American history. It was believed that Lewis broke into Seward's home the night Lincoln lost his life. In this rare photograph, Lewis Payne is seen just before his sentence.
Lewis worked for the Confederate Secret Services, and initially, he was the one supposed to kidnap Lincoln together with William Henry Seward and former Vice President Jhonson and turn them in. Then, there was a change of plan, and Lewis was appointed to kill Seward.
The Real Anastasia
One of history's greatest mysteries is the unsolved disappearance of Anastasia Romanov, Tsar Nicholas II's daughter. Tsar Nicolas was related to the British Royal Family by being King George V's first cousin. During the revolution of 1917, Nicholas's life was taken along with his entire royal family, but since his daughter went missing, there were rumors that she had survived and vanished.
In this rare photo, Tsar Nicholas is seen with his beloved daughter as she playfully holds a cigarette to her mouth. It is believed that this photo was taken just days before the devastating execution of the entire Romanov family. Years later, it was confirmed that the remains found were indeed Anastasia and that she had lost her life brutely, too.
Mannequin Bomb Testers
The Mannequin Bomb Testers were created in the 50s of the 20th century. They were initially built in Nevada and were intended to test how people would react after a nuclear attack. Houses were constructed, cars were built, and a completely imaginary town came to life. Various shelters were built behind or beneath each house to see how efficient each one was.
Even the residents wore different kinds of material in their clothing so the effect of the attack could later be tested and compared. In this photo, we can see the result of one of the houses after an attack. No one could stay oblivious to the destructive results left after such an experiment.
The Cape Canaveral Missile Test Annex
In September of 1962, John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson received a tour of the Cape Canaveral Missile Test Annex. This photo is extremely rare as it was very unlikely to have seen a photo of the President and Vice President in the same room. One thing we know, the two did not get along together, and taking a photo of the two was not something that was done, by the way.
President John F. Kennedy and Vice President Lyndon Johnson are surrounded by other members of the government who are not shy to express their concern and apprehension, knowing what must have gone through those two heads.
The Fuhrer’s Chancellery
It is clear when this photo was taken; however, you'll be surprised that these are not German soldiers. This snapshot was taken in 1945, literally moments after the Allied forces barged and took the first steps in what would soon be the end of World War II. In this photo, there are soldiers standing in front of the Fuhrer’s Reich Chancellery in Berlin.
In a few innocent moments of comforting joy, the soldiers mocked and imitated the former German leader. This photograph says so much with so few words about one of the most difficult times in the past century.
Americans Leaving Vietnam
The Vietnam War is one of the harshest and most significant parts of History, being a turning point to many events that took place later on in time. Overall, the 1970s brought many noticeable moments that went down in history, and the departure of American troops from the Vietnamese land is without no doubt one of them. The vision of US soldiers leaving the war zone was one of the most heart-wrenching moments ever documented.
In the last days of the war, the remaining soldiers tried to do everything in their power to escape. At the time, clinging onto a chopper was the most logical thing to do, as this was a guaranteed ticket back home. Many soldiers, unfortunately, were shoved down and lost any chance of getting on it.
Queen Elizabeth
World War II had a lot of significant moments, and many of them are documented in photographs. One of those noteworthy snapshots is of the late Queen Elizabeth II, who voluntarily served in the Women’s Auxiliary Territorial Service. The then princess is seen here in her uniform, serving, in a different manner, her kingdom.
During the Second World War, she serviced and drove trucks for the army. The future queen was only 18 years old when she served alongside the troops, unknowingly stepping on her already set path as a monarch. Just seven years after this photo was taken, King George VI would have died, turning Elizabeth into the youngest Queen on the thrown.
Abbey Road
If we had to choose the most famous album cover ever released, it had to be The Beatles, 1969, Abbey Road. It was the Fab Four's eleventh album and the last one they ever recorded together. The four fabulous musicians crossing the road have become an iconic symbol of the band; however, taking this shot wasn't as easy as it seems.
This photo was not done spontaneously and had to be taken a number of times before the perfect one was shot. Until this very day, the real Abbey Road in London is a famous landmark amongst all tourists and not only Beatles lovers.
April 1945
Sometimes, there is no need for more than one photo to understand history better. The eyes of this woman say so much about where she comes from and what she has been through that sometimes there is no need for deep details. This photo was taken in 1945 when the Jewish prisoners from the internment camp were finally freed from the clutches of the Germans.
These people managed to escape the death train they were on, realizing they were on their way to liberation. These refugees were making their way toward the liberating troops who set free the occupied countries and the prisoners.
John F. Kennedy's Funeral
This famous photo is one of the most famous ones in history. Very young John F. Kennedy Jr. saluted his father alongside his mother, Jacqueline Kennedy, during his father’s funeral. What is most captivating in this photo is that such a young boy is reflecting such a sad moment and devastating experience.
Jacqueline's half-hidden face is something that can't be ignored or stay oblivious to, as it only enhances and strengthens the agony and bitter feelings this family was going through. Stan Stearns, who took this photo, encapsulates not only this family's most difficult hours but also the nation's grief.
Women Hunger Marches
Following the Great Depression, unemployment became rampant in Europe and the USA. In this photograph from 1934, we see a group of women who had joined a hunger march in Great Britain. These women, in particular, wished to see Prime Minister Ramsay McDonald, but he refused them. The main focus of the hunger strikes was to get rid of the Means Test, which had specific requirements about who qualified for social welfare.
With unemployment of just under 2.8 million in 1932, these women believed the Means Test should be abolished. Even today, the Means Test still exists in Britain, and it is generally used to assist citizens with care costs if one has no or little savings.
Hampton Students Studying Telephone Assembly
After the 13th Amendment was passed, the Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute was opened with the sole mission of educating those who were previously enslaved. However, it broadened its mission to simply provide African Americans with an education. In this instance, the students are busy learning the ins and outs of telephone assembly.
With Benjamin Franklin Johnston’s photograph, we witness a historical landmark – the true impact of Lincoln’s 13th Amendment. This photograph was taken some 30 years after the 13th Amendment became a constitutional right and made a significant change to the nation. Slavery was banned, and as a result, more than four million people were free.
Brooke Shield Graduates
While this actress has become a household name after her success in sitcoms such as “Suddenly Susan,” Brooke Shields also had much success in academics at Princeton. Quite surprisingly, the actress took a degree in French Literature. She also joined several of the university’s clubs, including the theater club Princeton Triangle and the Cap and Gown club, not knowing that she had a bright future ahead of her in the movie industry.
In 1987, she graduated from a prestigious university. This photo is of her graduation day. Though she would go on to achieve much more in her life, the young actress looks proud of her accomplishment here.
Nikola Tesla in His Laboratory
You have probably seen this iconic photo. This scene captured here looks like something out of the movie “The Prestige.” Or rather, the movie seems to resemble Nikola Tesla’s Laboratory. What is interesting is that the scientist/inventor took this photo to demonstrate how safe alternating current is. Two hundred fifty thousand volts of alternating current, to be more precise!
Clearly, it was safe because Tesla had time to write, perhaps a bit of journaling or a crossword puzzle. Who knows? Tesla may have proved how reliable this type of electricity was, but sadly, we went with Edison’s invention. To this day, Tesla still stands for prestige and innovation.
August Landmesser
This photo has certainly been spotted before, but few people know the identity of the man refusing to do the salute. On June 13, 1936, this photograph was taken at a German navy training in Hamburg. The man in the picture refusing to salute is August Landmesser, who refused to participate in the national socialist rally that took place in pre-war Germany.
One of the reasons why Landmesser was unwilling to participate in the salute was that he was involved in a relationship with a Jewish woman, Irma Eckler. Sadly, for his transgressions, Landmesser was sent to prison, and he was later killed after being conscripted unwillingly into the German military.
The Einsteins
When we think of this great scientist, we often imagine him busy with intricate calculations or something like that. Not here, though. This photo has such a story behind it. We can see Albert Einstein, alongside his daughter Margaret Einstein, taking their oath for U.S. citizenship. Albert Einstein had to flee Germany after the regime changed and forced him and other Jews to seek a safer haven.
When the new German chancellor came into power in 1932, the future for Jews and any other minority was uncertain. Einstein predicted the worst and was saved. During the war, he assisted the American Navy and helped to evaluate new weapon systems.
The Boston Marathon 1967
Kathrine Switzer is an American television commentator and author, and she is also a marathon runner. She changed history in 1967 by becoming the first-ever female runner to complete a marathon as an official registered participant. This next photo has gone viral, especially since gender inequality has become a big discussion.
Trainer John Semple is caught on the camera trying to remove her and stop her from running, as up until then, women were forbidden to participate in any competitive sports. Fortunately, Switzer is supported by her boyfriend and running partner, Tom Miller. Switzer finished the marathon in just over 4 hours and became the first woman to have completed this marathon.
The Berlin Wall 1961
This photograph is a memento from earlier days in Berlin. When the city was still split in two, we see the grave consequences of this wall dividing the city. On May 9, 1961, we see a couple holding up two babies who live in West Berlin. On the other side of the wall are the babies’ grandparents living in East Berlin. While this photo shows a divided city, it also demonstrates unbreakable family ties.
The Berlin Wall stood tall for more than 30 years, keeping families and loved ones apart. In 1989, as the Iron Curtain was being ripped apart, the Berlin Wall came down with it, joining the East and West parts of the city back together again.
The Remains of Cosmonaut Vladimir Kamarov
The cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin is a familiar enough name, but Vladimir Kamarov’s name is not as well-known. The two cosmonauts had been friends. Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev wanted to make a statement about Soviet superiority. On April 23, 1967, the space capsule Soyuz 1 was sent to orbit the Earth, and Kamarov was the intended pilot.
The problem is that Soyuz 1 was not safe. If Kamarov did not join this mission, Brezhnev would have assigned Gagarin, so Kamarov went on the mission. And in this photo, these are the remains of Kamarov as the space capsule crashed into the earth.
Frida Kahlo
For a couple of seconds, you might be wondering which of the people in this photo is of the Mexican painter Frida Kahlo. The correct answer is the center one. Here we see a picture of Kahlo dressed up like a man. Though the Mexican painter was only 19 years old in the photo, we already saw a side of Kahlo that is both open and experimental.
This photo was taken by Guillermo Kahlo on February 6, 1926, in Mexico. She was best known for her uncompromising and unique self-portraits and her ongoing interest in diversity, identity, and the human body.
Repainting the Eiffel Tower
Completed on March 31, 1889, the Eiffel Tower is the quintessential image of Paris. But to keep that image in tip-top shape, the tower needs to be maintained and repainted. Here, we see a group of painters who take on the risky job of repainting the Eiffel Tower. Needless to say, it is not a job for the faint-hearted.
This photo was taken in 1924, about 35 years after the tower was finished. These days the tower is regularly maintained, and a fresh layer of paint is put on every seven years, just like Gustave recommended when he first designed the Parisian iconic symbol.
Guess the Military Leader
If you have to play a game guessing the military leader, you might be surprised to learn that this is a picture of the young Winston Churchill, one of Great Britain's most significant leaders. Here, the young Churchill looks dashing in his uniform as he was assigned to the rank of Second Lieutenant in the 4th Hussars.
While Churchill has gone down in history for his feats during the Second World War, the young Churchill made some impressive earlier contributions. Though he was captured by the Boers during the Anglo-Boer War in South Africa in November 1899, Churchill managed to escape, bringing him much recognition.
The Carving of Mount Rushmore
This is probably not a typical photo of the 3rd US President, Thomas Jefferson. Instead, it is an extreme close-up of his eye. In 1927, American sculptor Gutzon Borglum, with the help of his son, Lincoln Borglum, began the task of carving the faces of four American presidents. The four presidents were chosen because they distinctly shaped the nation into what it would become.
In this photograph, we see a worker dangerously hanging onto the eyelid of Thomas Jefferson, revealing the great risks involved in the carving of this US monument. The four carved presidents are one of the most visited sites in the United States, and over two million people tour the site annually.
Marilyn Monroe
This actress is the quintessential blonde beauty, and this one iconic image of her has stood the test of time. This one is a photo of the actress during the filming of a scene of “The Seven Year Itch” where she is speaking to her co-star, Tom Ewell. The photo that became iconic is when the blower from the subway grater activated, lifting the actress’ skirt. Taken so many years ago, it is unlikely this photo will ever disappear from collective memory.
The famous photograph was taken by Sam Shaw, and at the time, he was unaware that his work of art was about to become one of the most famous images in the world. The dress was made to her measurements, and she wore it to perfection.
Sinking of U-175
U-boats were a class of German submarines that caused much panic among the Allied power’s navies. They were built especially to use against the U.S. and the Western European countries during the Second World War. On April 17, 1943, the U175 was sent on its third patrol in the Atlantic. In the North Atlantic, southwest of Ireland, the US treasury-class cutter, “Spencer,” could fulfill the mission it had been sent on – to hunt U-boats.
Here we have an image from the Coast Guard of the “Spencer” that has a view after it opened fire on the U-175. Though 13 crew members were killed, the “Spencer” managed to rescue 19 who had been on board the U-175.
Graffiti on the Reichstag Walls
The Second World War continued until September 1945; however, this was in the Pacific as in Europe, and the fighting had come to an end on May 7. Here is a picture of the Reichstag in Berlin. The Russian attack was severe, and the Germans expected no kindness from the Russians. After almost six years of chaos and brutality, it was time for revenge.
If you look closely at the text scribbled on the walls, you will also see that a lot of the graffiti in the picture is written in Russian, a symbol of the Russian takeover. There were over 27 million casualties on the Russian side, making this one of the most devastating episodes in Russian history.
The Most Infamous Boxing Match
They say a picture says 1000 words. This one tells 1000 words about a battle that occurred on July 3, 1899. At the turn of the 20th century, we learn a lot about the recreational activities and fashion choices of naval officers. Boxing is certainly not a popular pastime, nor is the diaper-looking pair of shorts seen on the boxer on the left.
This amazing photo was taken by Edward H. Hart on the anniversary of the battle of Santiago, Cuba. Up until the early 1800s, Boxing was preserved in European countries; however, once it reached American shores, it sunk in and hit hard.
Finishing Fat Man
Here we see the finishing touches being made to Fat Man, aka the bomb that was dropped on the city of Nagasaki on August 9, 1945, three days after Little Boy was dropped on Hiroshima, the first ever nuclear bomb used in war.
It is a bit odd to think about why Fat Man would need to be painted days before its mission; however, we believe there must have been a reason. It is one of those bizarre questions one cannot answer about human nature. What we can answer is when and where this photo was taken, which was in early August on Tinian Island in the Pacific.
Margaret Hamilton and Software Listings for Apollo
Born in Paoli, Indiana, in 1936, Margaret Heafield Hamilton would later become one of the most accredited computer scientists in the country. She became the director of the software division at MIT. Yet, her most important feat was creating the flight software for the Apollo Mission with her team. In the photo, Hamilton is standing next to the listings for the Apollo program.
That being said, the Apollo project and onboard flight software had several hiccups, but thanks to Hamilton and the Apollo team, the project was mostly a success. Also, Hamilton has been credited with creating the term “software engineering.”
Nine Sovereigns at Windsor for the funeral of King Edward VII
This photo might not strike anyone as particularly significant, but what is interesting is when it happened and who was present. Here, we see 9 kings who were reigning over various monarchies in Europe. Some present include Tsar Ferdinand of Bulgaria, Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany, and King George V of Great Britain.
Though they are gathered here for the funeral of King Edward VII, in less than five years, the First World War would break out, and these nations would be at each other’s throats. George the Fifth was ruling Great Britain at the time and was succeeded by King George the Sixth and then Elizabeth the Second.