The world has many unique stories to share, and when it comes to modern history, you may think that you’ve seen it all over the years. As these beautiful and unedited pictures suggest, there will always be new stories to tell. These images show a different side to history, and might even change the way you look at some of the biggest cultural events in this and previous lifetimes. Let’s dive in!
Obama In His Youth
Nobody becomes the leader of the free world overnight. Even popular former US president Barack Obama had to start somewhere, and as this classic picture suggests, he was sociable in his youth too. Not only that, but his choice of glasses seems to show that he was at the forefront of 80’s fashion as well. Vintage Obama is just as cool as his more seasoned, experienced self and does little to taint his positive image.
Obama In His Youth
The Clintons
It’s safe to say that Bill and Hillary Clinton have had some hard times to work through in their 45-year marriage. Who can forget the Monica Lewinsky scandal, which brought a lot of shame on the White House at the time. Hillary has also had to overcome what was a painful defeat at the hands of Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election. This picture shows them around the time they met in the early seventies. Little did they know that they were headed for an adventure.
The Clintons
The Life and Times of Marilyn Monroe
Arguably the biggest star in history, Marilyn Monroe didn’t always have the very glamorous life she is most remembered for. Before she skyrocketed to fame, she was employed by the US military and helped to repair drones. Norma Jeane Doughtery certainly couldn’t have known that soon after this picture was taken, she would be transforming into Marilyn Monroe, and that life would never be as simple and uncomplicated as it was here.
The Life And Times Of Marilyn Monroe
Audrey Hepburn Goes Shopping
Hollywood starlet Audrey Hepburn is known for her grace, beauty and the fact that she speaks multiple languages. Although many pictures have been taken of her, one, in particular, seems to have been lost through the ages. In preparing for a role in ‘Green Mansion’, she was encouraged to spend time with her co-star Pippin, a deer. Here she is photographed with him on a trip to the grocery store. We’re sure animal rights organizations were not exactly thrilled.
Audrey Hepburn Goes Shopping
I Burn Lucy?
There’s no denying that ‘I Love Lucy’ was one of the best shows right out the gate when television started to become a mainstream household item back in the 1950’s. Lucille Ball was a fan favorite and her quick wit and charm dazzled audiences from across the country. In this peculiar picture, she is seen posing as her nose catches on fire. This was part of a skit, and the image has become a prominent pop culture moment.
I Burn Lucy
Pumping Iron
Marilyn Monroe wasn’t born with her figure, and just like many of us, she had to work out a lot to ensure she maintained her pin-up looks. These were all the rage back then, before society started to be more inclusive of a diverse range of body shapes and sizes. Marilyn is pictured here pumping some iron, and she was known to do squats and bench presses regularly to help maintain her idyllic physique.
Pumping Iron
Terminator Dances With Rocky
Back in the day, you couldn’t find a blockbuster action movie without Arnold Schwarzenegger or Sylvester Stallone playing some sort of part in the fim. The eighties saw the pair gathering fans by the masses, which has led to them being big stars to this very day. In this iconic picture, the duo is seen dancing together. It seems they stayed friends, even though they dated the same woman for some time too.
Terminator Dances With Rocky
Walt The Chicken Man
Walt Disney is the mastermind behind the Disney brand, and if you were a child in the 90’s, you have him to thank for those special memories of watching some of the best cartoons the world has ever had to offer. In this shot, he’s not exactly in his creative process. Instead, he’s doing what many of us do each day: eating some chicken. It’s said he was busy celebrating the success of two of Disney’s hit films.
Walt The Chicken Man
Peak Jimi “Ho Ho Ho”
This classic photograph shows something you might have never thought you would see in your lifetime. Music icon Jimi Hendrix is dressed as Santa Claus, holding albums that would soon go down in history as masterpieces. The picture was part of a promotional angle for his music, no doubt orchestrated by his management to try and drive up sales over the festive season. As historic charts reveal, it certainly worked.
Peak Jimi Ho Ho Ho
Comedic Genius Meets… Genius Genius
A little known fact about history is that comedy legend Charlie Chaplin and renowned physicist Albert Einstein were actually very close friends. The pair of geniuses were snapped together while Albert was on a US tour, which included a stop at Universal Studios where Charlie was shooting a new film. This was their first meeting, and the pair ended up keeping in touch and seeing each other regularly throughout the course of their interesting lives.
Comedic Genius Meets Genius Genius
A Young Dalai Lama
Although we’re used to seeing the 14th Dalai Lama now in his old age, it’s easy to forget that he was just a teenager when he took control of Tibet. Before that, he was also a baby, just like you and me. This picture shows him just a short while after his birth in 1935, a little over a decade before he would first take the reins and rule Tibet from 1950. We’re sure he looks at this picture with a big smile on his face.
A Young Dalai Lama
Ali and The Beatles
It has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it? When two of the biggest stars in the world come together regardless of the reason, people take notice. When Muhammed Ali (arguably the greatest boxer of all time) met the Beatles (arguably the best band of all time) met up the result was this iconic picture that now lives on in infamy. We’re sure the group exchanged a lot of laughs, and that this was a special moment for both sides of the camp.
Ali And The Beatles
The Disappearing Act
Harry Houdini is really known as one of the greatest escape artist of all time, and as his fans will recall, over his career he kept pushing the boundary more and more with his daring stunts. This is similar to how other illusionists go about what they do today, although they have the opportunity to share their work to millions on social media. In this picture, Harry is chained and ready to bury himself alive. Just your average day at the office, is that right?
The Disappearing Act
The First Class Experience Aboard The Titanic
It can be hard to remember that Titanic wasn’t just a record-breaking film, but that it was a true story where thousands of people lost their lives on the “unsinkable” ship. While there are museums all over the world to commemorate the event, pictures like this one, which shows the typical first class cabin, are a rare sight. These might have been wonderful while the ship was sailing, but naturally could drum up some hard memories for families affected by the tragedy today.
The First Class Experience Aboard The Titanic
Queen Elizabeth The Mechanic
While a lot of people enjoy learning more about her story on ‘The Crown’, a little known fact about the Queen of England is that she is the only female in the history of the royal family to have enlisted in the military. As an 18-year-old princess, she even served in WWII! While she wasn’t anywhere near battle of course, she still helped and was trained as a mechanic, as the picture here shows her in the midst of service.
Queen Elizabeth The Mechanic
Life’s A Game For Marilyn
One of the best ways for Marilyn Monroe to grab attention around her was not only to command all the attention in the room with her stunning looks. She also liked to show up for surprise appearances at events, and people went wild when this happened. Here, she is seen at a 1957 rugby match between the US and Israel. Would you believe this was her kicking the ball before the match? Apparently, the crowd roared at the sight.
Lifes A Game For Marilyn
Elvis The Soldier
It’s not altogether uncommon to find a celebrity who enlisted in the army before they rose to fame. For Elvis Presley, this happened after he had gained worldwide recognition, as in 1958 he was called to service for the US army. Already well known then, people couldn’t believe that they were serving beside someone who was widely considered a national gem. He was discharged early when his mother had a heart attack, and he wished to be by her side.
Elvis The Soldier
MGM’s Lion
If you’ve ever watched an MGM movie, you would have seen the lion roaring before the opening credits of the film. Few people know about the history of that revered piece of footage. This picture was there during filming in 1928, where Leo the Lion stole the show. We can imagine it was a bit of a scary scene having to deal with a real lion (CGI was not a thing back then), but luckily everyone survived the shoot without losing any limbs.
MGMs Lion
Dorothy Counts
Dorothy Counts is a name that should be sprawled across the pages of American history. She was the first African American woman to attend what was still an all-white American school back in the late 1950’s. The photo symbolizes how difficult it was to be viewed as different even back then, and she paved the way for more African Americans to join a movement for fair and equal opportunities for everyone. Remember her name and tell your children too.
Dorothy Counts
A Memorable Dive
Even without much context, this picture would certainly be “Instagram worthy” in modern times too. Here, Westminster Bridge and the Houses of Parliament in the UK are shown, with two people diving off into the river Thames. This special moment was captured right at the very moment, with onlookers in awe at what they were bearing witness to. Sometimes, all it takes is being in the right place at the right time.
A Memorable Dive
Teen Giant
Andre the Giant has a very unique story, filled with triumph and heartbreak. Known for his larger than life statue, this wrestler was even referred to as the eight wonders of the earth because of how big he was. That can’t have been easy on his psyche, and ultimately his gigantism is actually what caused him to die an early death. This photo shows a happy time, when he was still coming out of adolescence and finding his way in the world.
Teen Giant
Man’s Best Friend, Always
The internet has many pictures of people with their beloved pets, but few highlights the essence of the bond between man and his four-legged friend as perfect as this one does. This timeless picture shows a boy trying to dig out a golf ball from the nearest pond, with his dog holding onto his jacket to make sure that he doesn’t fall in. This special moment has brought a tear to the eyes of many.
Man Best Friend Always
Hemingway In The Tub
Known for his many eccentricities, Ernest Hemingway was more complicated than the writer persona he revealed to the world through his work. He cites the inspiration for one of his masterpieces as coming to him when he was sitting in his bathtub one day. If you’ve ever wondered what that might have looked like, look no further than the picture below, which should give you an exact idea. Bizarre and iconic at the same time.
Hemingway In The Tub
Albert Einstein At The Grand Canyon
It’s easy to think of Albert Einstein as a “mad” scientist who stayed cooped up in his lab for all the hours of the day. In fact, he liked to travel very much, and as this picture in 1931 shows, he stopped by at Hopi House at the Grand Canyon on his way to giving a lecture. Pictured here with a headdress, it’s believed that he had a special fascination with the Hopi, connecting with them on a deep level.
Albert Einstein At The Grand Canyon
The Two Roberts
Robert DeNiro wasn’t always the mobster boss we’ve come to enjoy seeing on the big screen. His talents stem from his own father, also called Robert, who similarly had a flair for the arts and theatre. In this rare photograph, the pair can be seen together when Robert junior was just a little boy. Citing his dad as a big inspiration to him in his awards speeches, it’s clear that this would be a cherished memory for the talented actor to this day.
The Two Roberts
Carol Wayne Interviewed
Although Carol Wayne was popular as a featured guest as the “Matinee Lady” on the Tonight Show, in this special picture you can see her being interviewed by Johnny Carson himself for his own show. The iconic moment would be one of her last TV appearances before a mysterious death in Mexico around a year later. Fans recall that it shows her energy and bubbly spirit, and naturally it is a great memory to her career.
Carol Wayne Interviewed
Marilyn The Diva
While working on ‘Some Like It Hot’, onlookers complained that Marilyn Monroe was not the easiest person to work with. There were claims of diva moments, fueled by her addiction to prescription pills, which naturally affected the overall feel of the movie too. In the image below, Marilyn is seen talking to director Billy Wilder, perhaps going over a bit of advice to help make the process a bit easier on everyone involved.
Marilyn The Diva
Jayne and Sophia
Some people are born for the limelight. It’s safe to say that Jayne Mansfield was one of those people. This picture is the epitome of her search for stardom, and the fact that she could never shy away from a camera that was nearby. To great contrast, Sophia Loren is shown here trying to avoid the photographer at all costs. She clearly did not want to be a part of Jayne’s moment of publicity. To each his own!
Jayne And Sophia
The Elusive Bikini Inventor
Who would have thought that the bikini was invented by a Frenchman? Louis Reard is well documented as the founding father of this popular swimsuit. At the time he was designing it, he could have never imagined that a simple two-piece swimsuit would change the world forever. In the picture below, he is seen fitting one of his designs on a model and testing to see if it was as durable as he hoped to promote it was.
The Elusive Bikini Inventor
Moments Before JFK’s Death
Unlike many of the pictures on the list, the next picture is easy to timestamp because it refers to a day that American history was forever changed. 22 November 1963 is the fateful day that JFK was assassinated while driving in an open car with his wife Jackie. This picture, which shows the president and first lady smiling broadly, is one of the last moments he was ever seen alive and lives on in infamy to this day.
Moments Before JFKs Death
First Moon Landing
Some of them said we would never be able to do it, but critics and naysayers were proved wrong when Neil Armstrong landed on the moon on that fateful day back in 1969. This picture was proof that there was more to human existence than our experiences on our home planet. Proudly displaying the American flag, the beautiful shot also ended the competitive race where various countries (including Russia) were trying to reach this elusive milestone first.
First Moon Landing
Back To The 19th Century
You don’t see an amazing picture like this these days without some form of editing done to please the masses on social media. In this rare picture, a native American man is seen peering out over the railway tracks in Nevada. The shot, which shows the vast landscape in the area at the time, dates back to 1868, and is now a precious reminder of a simple time in the history of the world.
Back To The 19th Century
The Origins of the Selfie
Could this be the first selfie ever taken? Historians seem to think so. This particular shot was taken by a woman 120 years ago in 1900. She is seen taking a picture of herself while standing in front of her mirror with a camera. We bet she’s turning in her grave at the amount of selfies that have taken over the world ever since. The photograph portrays human curiosity in beautiful black and white overtones.
The Origins Of The Selfie
The Infamous Post-Combat Look
This picture is one for the history books. Taken shortly after forty-eight hours of combat in an unknown region back in 1944, this US Marine is giving what is now famously dubbed the “thousand-yard stare”. Poets have used the eyes of the man in question as inspiration for capturing the troubles that war brings to the soul, and the photograph lives on all these years later thanks to modern technology.
The Infamous Post Combat Look
Albert’s Day Off
We mentioned earlier that people are used to thinking of Albert Einstein as “always working” or spending most of his time in the lab. This couldn’t have been further from the truth, as is shown here in a moment where he was relaxing in Palm Springs in January of 1932. He even has a pipe in his hand, and is shirtless to be able to catch some vitamin D from the sun. One could even argue that this shows a healthy work-life balance.
Albert S Day Off
The Mini U.S.S Enterprise
This decommissioned U.S navy aircraft carrier has had historians wagging their tongues for decades. The first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, it was also only the eighth naval vessel ever to bear this particular name. If only this shot was of the real thing! In fact, it is a model replica of “Big E” (as the carrier was affectionately dubbed by fans), with the photograph dating back to 1965 in downtown Los Angeles.
The Mini USS Enterprise
A Breakfast of Champions
Ever wondered what astronaut Neil Armstrong ate before he left earth for his mission to the moon? Well look no further. This photograph from 1969 shows him enjoying his last breakfast on his home planet, before leaving for a trip that would go down in the history books as one of the greatest achievements of man in modern times. Fried chicken for breakfast? It can’t get any more American than this.
A Breakfast Of Champions
The Wrath of Pearl Harbor
Who can forget the infamous attack on Pearl Harbor, which not only caused over 2400 fatalities but also led to America being dragged into WWII after months of trying to avoid getting involved? In this photograph, the moment where the USS Shaw exploded was captured, in what is now a scene that is etched into the minds of people from all generations. The movie based on the attack also did it justice with help from other pictures that were similar to these.
The Wrath Of Pearl Harbor
Paris Acting Like Venice
When looking at this picture for the first time, you might even think that it was a prank or a shot for a movie set. This couldn’t be further from the truth. The shot was taken following the Great Flood of 1910, which saw many Parisian streets filled with water. Row Boats were used to transport stranded people from their homes to dry land, not dissimilar to what you would be likely to see in the canals of Venice in modern-day.
Paris Acting Like Venice
The Very British Cup of Tea
During a raid orchestrated by Hitler in 1940, England was bombed in what is now famously referred to as the London Blitz. Even back then, a good cup of tea was something that was particularly British. As the photograph shows, one woman was more than happy to finish her cup of tea in the midst of the rubble that was scattered all around her. Perhaps she was just happy to have made it out alive.
The Very British Cup Of Tea
Young President Lincoln
We’re all familiar with the iconic shots of President Abraham Lincoln, one of the forefathers of the American constitution as it is known and supported today. With many statues erected in his honor, his image lives on in the hearts and minds of U.S citizens. Few people have seen a picture of him in his youth, and this particular photograph, which dates back to 1840, is the oldest known photograph of the popular president.
Young President Lincoln
Stalin The Family Man
Joseph Stalin might be remembered as a revolutionary and a dictator, but that’s not to say that there wasn’t another side to this serious and ambitious man. In this rare photograph, which is rumored to have been taken back in 1935, Stalin is seen alongside his two children, Vasily and Svetlana. We wonder what Christmas dinners were like at the Stalin house back then. Perhaps, we’ll never have the privilege of knowing.
Stalin The Family Man
A Different Kind of “Avengers”
Marvel’s ‘Avengers’ might be one of the biggest blockbuster movie series of all time, but a long time ago there was a different group of real-life superheroes that also went by the same name. These avengers are a group of Jewish assassins that worked to hunt down Nazi officers who committed atrocities during the course of World War II. This photograph is the only documented evidence of the gang, who preferred to keep a low profile. They were fictionalized in the Academy Award-winning film ‘Inglourious Basterds’ back in 2009.
A Different Kind Of Avengers
Don’t Look Down
Who knew that anybody could be as courageous as the woman in the picture below? In this iconic shot, she is seen making her way across a highwire right above Heumarkt in Cologne back in the late 1940’s. The snap was taken by one of her accomplices, and the event was widely publicized by the local media too. Thankfully, she made it all the way across without plunging to what would have been an imminent death otherwise.
Dont Look Down
The Effects of Pearl Harbour
Many historians can’t get enough of Pearl Harbour, and the fact that the Japanese attack inspired the strengthening of the allied forces against Hitler in a way that meant he had no chance of victory in the long run. In this particular picture, the effects of the bombing can be seen more clearly, showing that aside from the casualties, a lot of equipment was destroyed that fateful day in December too.
The Effects Of Pearl Harbour
Gandhi At Work
In this symbolic photograph, showing Mahatma Gandhi on the floor next to a spinning wheel signifying India’s struggle for independence, we get a glimpse into how the inspiring leader conducted business each day. Often portrayed as a “man of the people” who was regularly seen in public, few have had the privilege of seeing such an intimate and personal photograph of a man lauded for his humanitarian work. Consider yourself one of the lucky ones.
Gandhi At Work
New York City At Its Best
Grand Central Station is a historic cultural sight that is often referenced in films and TV shows set in New York City. The station used to have sunlight beaming through the windows at particular hours of the day, which can be seen in full force in the photograph (taken back in 1929) below. These days, this doesn’t happen anymore as skyscrapers have taken over the surroundings and the greater parts of the city too.
New York City At Its Best
Satch at the Pyramids
Affectionately dubbed “Satchmo” or “Satch” by his adoring fans, Louis Armstrong was perhaps The most influential figure in all history of jazz music. With a career spanning five decades, he didn’t have a lot of time away from performing, and as this photograph of him playing trumpet at the Giza Sphinx in Egypt suggests, he liked to take his passion with him wherever he went. Talk about a priceless moment.
Satch At The Pyramids
Hitler Goes To War
Adolf Hitler was not one to shy away from making public statements in front of his followers. Some of his public speeches were used to criticize foreign leaders, and others helped to idealize the Nazi way of life. In this photograph, he is declaring war on the US back in 1941, in a moment that for sure changed the landscape of the modern world forever. Just a few years later, he would be driven to his own suicide after imminent defeat at the hands of the allies.
Hitler Goes To War
The Private Military Base
It’s no secret that military bases are some of the most highly guarded places in the world. Countries don’t like to publicize anything about these bases, in fear that it might bring foreign invaders closer to their well-guarded secrets. In a rare sight, this photograph taken by a brave person back in 1988 shows inside a military base in Kazakhstan. The fact that the photo was released probably means they made it out without the snapshot being detected.
The Private Military Base
Pre-Rushmore
Mount Rushmore is for sure one of the most iconic landmarks in the United States, and millions of tourists flock to the region on a yearly basis. Few people have seen what the rock face looked like before construction began. This rare photograph from the end of the 1920’s shows exactly what it looked like before the area was transformed into the faces of the iconic American presidents Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln.
Pre Rushmore
The First Steps On The Moon
Your parents (or grandparents) probably remember exactly where they were on the day that Neil Armstrong took his first steps on the moon. This was only possible because the event was filmed and broadcast all over the world. Photographs like the one below symbolize the incredible moment that has long been studied as one of the most important milestones of mankind in the last century. The rest as they say, is history.
The First Steps On The Moon
Fragments of Liberty
While we’re used to seeing the Statue of Liberty as a symbol of American freedom across the media, few people know exactly where the statue itself came from. In this rare photo, men are seen unpacking the various parts of the statue once she arrived from France for the first time. Construction started back in September of 1875 and the statue remains a bright beacon of hope all these years later.
Fragments Of Liberty
Jackie Chan In Hollywood
Anybody who has seen Jackie Chan’s movies will know that he is renowned for a couple of outrageous stunts. If ever there was a picture that symbolizes the way he was, this one would be it. Here, he is pictured in 1996 as he was getting ready to climb the iconic Hollywood sign. The actor would perform countless more stunts after this, and always drum up a fair amount of publicity for his career in the process too.
Jackie Chan In Hollywood
The Death of a Legend
It turns out that Scottish band Franz Ferdinand actually got their name from one of the biggest legends in Austrian history. The Archduke of the same name (pictured here) was assassinated by a Serbian nationalist terrorist group on the 28th of June in 1914. The event caused great unrest in Europe, and it is widely believed that this marked the tipping point into what would eventually turn into the beginning of the first World War.
The Death Of A Legend
Mask Inspections
In 2020, we’ve all gotten a lot more used to mask inspections, thanks to the onslaught of the coronavirus pandemic. In this iconic picture from over 100 years ago, Indian soldiers take part in a mask inspection at Ypres in Belgium. Some might see a great irony in the fact that all these years later, masks are playing an important role in our daily lives, albeit in a vastly different set of circumstances than when the picture was taken.
Mask Inspections
The Brits And Their Football
This special photograph shows a team of British soldiers preparing for a football match sometime during the course of World War two. Historians suggest that it likely took part in Northern France, where they would have been required to wear gas masks while they played. It probably was about as comfortable as it looks in the famous shot. As it turns out, nothing can keep British people from their beloved sport.
The Brits And Their Football
Child Labor In The Early 20th Century
As this photograph of a group of young boys suggests, coal mining did not have adequate child labor laws in the U.S back in 1911. These children spent most of their hours in a day working in a coal mine rather than getting an education. As you can imagine, these kinds of practices are greatly frowned upon today, although they are still common in third world countries where access to resources are limited.
Child Labor In The Early 20th Century
One Of A Kind
We bet this is a photograph you never thought you would see in your entire life. Queenie the water skiing elephant was well known in the 1950’s for being the first (and probably only) of her kind. This photograph suggests that she enjoyed spending time in the water, and as the history books read, people couldn’t get enough of her antics. These days, animal rights activists might not be quite as happy with the idea of taking her out of her natural habitat.
One Of A Kind
Two African American Icons Meet
Malcolm X and Muhammed Ali are probably two of the most famous and iconic African Americans in the history of the United States. As the picture suggests, the two powerhouses had a very loud and animated chat after Ali won his match against Sonny Liston. The moment is now recognized by this photograph, which is often kept in the homes of fans of both of these great American heroes all over the world.
Two African American Icons Meet
Castro The Baller
Most history enthusiasts will be used to seeing Fidel Castro in formal uniform, as the Cuban revolutionary was often photographed with on official business, especially during his rule as president from 1976 to 2008. In this rare photograph from Krakow in Poland, the man himself is photographed playing basketball for fun, which is a rare sight for somebody known for the long hours he put in at work. You could almost believe that he was wearing a (now popular) onesie here.
Castro The Baller
The Romanovs in Russia
In this intimate and slightly heartbreaking family portrait from 1913, the Romanov family is shown as a unit for the final time. Tsar Nicholas II, his wife Empress Alexandra, as well as their five children (Olga, Tatiana, Maria, Anastasia and Alexei) were all shot and bayoneted just a couple of years later by communist revolutionaries, and the history of Russia was forever be changed by the incident. Nicholas is now known as the last ever Emperor of All Russia.
The Romanovs In Russia
A Rare Smile In WWII
In this lighthearted picture, two American soldiers are smiling and telling jokes in a bid to remain in good spirits in the wake of WWII. Soldiers had to do whatever they could to retain good mental health, in what was often unbearable conditions for anybody to be dealing with. The photograph is so good that it could almost be mistaken for a promotional image for a soda company you see on a billboard around America at the time.
A Rare Smile In WWII
Two Political Icons Fishing
You’re in for a real treat with the next shot. Who would have thought that two figures as popular as Fidel Castro and Che Guevara would ever be snapped together on a rare moment of downtime from work? In this picture, the two are seen fishing back in 1960. It doesn’t look like they had any idea (or were particularly bothered) by the idea of having their photos taken together, and if it wasn’t for Guevara’s hat, it may have looked like a regular fishing trip between friends.
Two Political Icons Fishing
The Somber Samurai
We’re used to seeing Japanese Samurais depicted in a very particular way in Hollywood blockbuster films. In this particular shot, which dates back to the early 1870’s in Japan, a real-life Samurai is shown in traditional dress in what might have been a moment shortly after defeat. He looks somewhat somber compared to the images we are used to seeing, which goes to show that you can’t believe everything you see on film.
The Somber Samurai
The Job Nobody Wants
Think your job is bad? As the next photograph shows, there are worse things to be doing. This death row inmate was forced to test the safety of a new roller-coaster that was being unveiled to the public back in 1958. If his expression is anything to go by, we’re not so sure that he sees this as the opportunity to be having a bit of fun. Whoever snapped the shot captured the moment perfectly and brilliantly.
The Job Nobody Wants
The Orphans Of Vietnam
Any war will always have massive casualties, some of which aren’t seen until well after peace has been declared. After the Vietnam war, hundreds of babies were orphaned. The US started “Operation Babylist” to send for the children and they were adopted in America shortly after. The photograph shows all the babies traveling by plane for what would be their first time on an airplane. They’re bound to have been too young to still remember the experience into adulthood.
The Orphans Of Vietnam
A Chimp For The History Books
While we’ve covered Neil Armstrong and his historic moon landing, we haven’t touched on the chimpanzee who paved the way for him to be able to do so safely. Ham the chimp was the first primate to make the trip to the moon and return back safely, as a test before humans were sent. The photograph shows a gleeful Ham holding a newspaper, proudly showing that he made the front page of the newspaper that day for his efforts.
A Chimp For The History Books
Showgirls Aboard
In the 1950’s, women played a far more stereotypical role in traditional jobs than they do today. As this photo of Swedish air hostess Birgitta Lindman shows, flight attendants had to look a specific way to be hired. Birgitta is seen in the photograph inspecting the outfit of a travelling showgirl, who likely also faced pressure to fit the stereotypical attractive mold. A gentle reminder that the world has come a long way since then.
Showgirls Aboard
Prisoner Of War Returns Home
Everyone loves a feel-good story like this one. Picture here is fighter pilot Robert Stirm reunited with his family after six years in captivity in Viet Cong. He was rescued as part of operation “Homecoming” in 1970, and if the expressions on the faces of his family are anything to go by, it was a moment nobody ever forgot. These types of prisoner exchanges also go a long way in resolving conflicts, so they are beneficial in more ways than just making families whole again.
Prisoner Of War Returns Home
Maurice Tillet
Russian born, French raised wrestler Maurice Tillet probably had a really hard time growing up, and it’s easy to imagine all the mean things he was called in his lifetime. As his career started developing, the media were quick to call him from “French Angel” on good days, to “The World’s Ugliest Man” on bad ones. Some people even suggest that he might have been the inspiration for Shrek the ogre. True or not, this picture reminds us of the importance of compassion no matter who we encounter.
Maurice Tillet
The Kidnapped Girls
This photograph has a shocking backstory. As history writes it, the woman shown here was one of two European girls that were kidnapped and gifted to a Native American chief. He raised them so well as if they were his own kids, and the pair grew up as part of the tribe. The face tattoos are meant to show their rite of passage, and their initiation into the community. We can only have the imagination of what the experience must have felt like.
The Kidnapped Girls
Hitler And His Six Faces
During the time of his political career, Adolf Hitler was not only two-faced in how he made agreements with other countries. He literally wore a multitude of different appearances over his political career, which experts suggest shows internal unrest within him. In this old picture, you can see some of these styles in the flesh, offering a theory that Hitler wore many masks during his time as the leader of the Third Reich.
Hitler And His Six Faces
Gaming In The Eighties
These days it’s easier than ever to download a game onto your smartphone and to play within a couple of seconds. YouTube gamers play each other remotely at the click of a button too. Gaming events back in 1980 were not quite as simple. Here is a photograph of the National Space Invader Championships that saw ten thousand people from all over the earth competing to be crowned the best of the best.
Gaming In The Eighties
The Popular James Dean
No matter how old are you getting, you’ve probably come across James Dean at some point in your lifetime. The iconic actor was hugely popular with women back in the height of his fame in the 1950’s, and as this photograph shows, it was an understandable obsession. The handsome actor was often seen with the best sports cars, which also grabbed the attention of husbands all over the United States. Everybody wanted a piece of the cooler than cool James Dean.
The Popular James Dean
The Giant Stingray
Here’s a picture that might be one of the only on the list that could be called into question for its validity. While nobody can be 100% sure about whether it is real or not, if it is, this stingray is probably the biggest one ever seen in world history. As it was captured by A.L Khan in the mid 1930’s, you’d be hard-pressed to believe that it would have been possible to stage such a shot in a time when technology was still very limited.
The Giant Stingray
Prohibition Aplenty
When alcohol was banned in the 1920’s in the United States, the black market soared with demand for stock. For some of the bootleggers in charge of these illegal operations, the law caught up to them in a very big and very public way. In this shot from Detroit in Michigan, authorities are sending a strong message by destroying the alcohol through a window and into the drains of the city. Talk about sending a strong message.
Prohibition Aplenty
Photographing Death
It’s a rare sight for anybody to capture a picture of a nuclear explosion, as the blast would take around 16 milliseconds to reach the person even if they were hundreds of miles away. The radiation would be an instant way to ensure that the person would be having major health problems almost immediately, or later in life. Nevertheless, this picture exists, and although tragic, it does highlight the power and many layers of nuclear warfare.
Photographing Death
The “Odd One Out”
Dorothy Counts has gone down in history for being the first African American to attend a then “all-white” school. Although the Supreme Court had ruled that segregation was illegal and that she should be able to attend at her own free will, she was tormented so badly by her white classmates that she didn’t even get through a week at the school. We’ve come a long way since then, but as the killing of George Floyd showed, there is certainly still a way to go to root out systemic racism in America.
The Odd One Out
The Origins Of Plastic Surgery
These days, plastic surgery can turn some of the most jarring features into beautifully sculpted areas. These kinds of doctors earn the big bucks as they help people to improve their self-esteem, but they also send a strong message about what society is “supposed” to look like. Back in the old days, the branch of medicine wasn’t as refined. Pictured here is Walter Leo, who had some more noticeable reconstructive work done after an injury sustained in the first world war. Today, one might call this a botched operation.
The Origins Of Plastic Surgery
Einstein and Pinocchio?
In this fascinating photograph, physicist Albert Einstein is shown with a mini model of himself, in the form of a puppet that might have given PInocchio a run for his money. The puppet belonged to a traveling group of performers that were making their way through the US in the 1930’s. Judging by his expression in the photograph, he was happy with the puppet, and sufficiently satisfied that it captured his essence.
Einstein And Pinocchio
Don’t Look Down
New York City was in a phase of great industrial expansion in the 1960’s. When the Manhattan Company merged with Chase, they needed a new building to operate from. The project would involve over 3000 workers, and in what is now seen as an iconic photograph, all the workers are shown inside the building. Windows hadn’t been fitted yet on all the floors, so there must have been some people who were very scared to look down. They probably wished for the photograph to be taken quickly.
Dont Look Down
The Shoemaking Process
Did you know that until the turn of the 20th century, pretty much all shoes were made from hand? Whether made from wood, plant-based materials or the most common leather, each was handcrafted and sold from there. It’s hard to believe that this was the case, especially now that we live in the time of automation, but as the photo so beautifully illustrates, things were not always as simple back in the olden days.
The Shoemaking Process
Not Your Average Bus Ride To School
It can be easy to complain about having to take the bus to school twice a day. The next time one of your children mentions this, tell them about the Moderna river in Italy, which children had to cross to get to school back in 1959. As the photo suggests, they were roughing it in an entirely different way to American schoolchildren now. Just imagine if any of them had a fear of heights.
Not Your Average Bus Ride To School
Once An Entrepreneur, Always An Entrepreneur
This young man clearly had an entrepreneurial mindset back in Berlin in 1931. While most children would sell lemonade from a stand outside their houses, he took things to another level by selling to people with a mobile unit. This meant he could target more customers in the average day, and he didn’t have to wait for people to come to him. With this mindset, he likely became a very successful businessman later in life.
Once An Entrepreneur Always An Entrepreneur
Marilyn At The Beach
There aren’t that many pictures of Marilyn Monroe when she was living an ordinary life as Norma Jean. In this photograph, the shy teen comes off quite nervous and awkward while posing in front of the ocean. This shows a completely different side to the woman who would eventually take on the role of global superstar with as much grace as was possible for someone who was clearly more reserved in real life.
Marilyn At The Beach
Madonna The Student
Even Madonna had to study to become one of the greatest performers of her generation. Known for being a dedicated student at the University of Michigan, the starlet is pictured here in a rare casual moment before her career led her to global fame. While she dropped out of college to move to New York, this picture is a reminder of a time when life was probably a little less complicated than it later became.
Madonna The Student
Robin Williams Gets Married
Who can forget the incredible comedian Robin WIlliams, who died as recently as August of 2014. The extroverted performer was actually very introverted in his private life, and as this photo from his marriage to Valeri Velardi in 1978 shows, he comes off rather shy. The cute couple were married for 10 years, before deciding to call it quits. This photograph serves as a nice memory of that time for fans that miss the actor and his iconic movies to this day.
Robin Williams Gets Married
Mark Twain And His St. Bernard
Mark Twain was a renowned American writer, often called the greatest humorist of all time. Some people refers to him as the father of U.S. literature. Few people know that dogs were a major inspiration for his work, and as this photo of him and one of his three dogs shows, he felt a deep connection to the animal. One of his best and famous quotes refers to the fact that if getting into heaven was done on merit, dogs would get in before people would.
Mark Twain And His St Bernard
The World Trade Center
The memory of the two towers might be shrouded in pain and devastation thanks to the events of 9/11, but that doesn’t mean that the original construction of the buildings should be forgotten in the history books. The port authority paid nearly $1 billion for the project to start in 1966. By 1979, both towers were ready and sold. The project might have taken a long time, but it had relatively few hiccups along the way, which is somewhat uncommon if you look at typical real estate developments today.
The World Trade Center
The Game-Changing Bicycle Prototype
In this photograph from 1946, Benjamin Bowden proudly shows off a prototype for what would soon become the first version of the modern day bicycle. It would take some time for it to be manufactured, however. Production began in the 1960s, and over 500 bicycles were made in the first run. If you happened to have one of these original bicycles in your possession today, which would have set you back less than $100 dollars then, you’d be sitting on a treasure worth fifteen times that.
The Game Changing Bicycle Prototype
JFK The Father
Caroline Kennedy, pictured here as a three-year-old when her father became the president of the USA for the first time, could never have imagined then that she would be growing up without having him in her life. This intimate photograph is one of few memories showing JFK in his role at home as a father. Shortly after his assassination, Jackie Kennedy moved to the Upper East Side with both her kids in a bid to start over.
JFK The Father
The Final Titanic Meal
In this historic photograph, the menu of food served on Titanic’s “final supper” before it sank can be seen by everyone. The combination of boiled potatoes, plum pudding, roast beef and stewed figs would be the last meal ever for many of the passengers. Sadly, over 1500 innocent people lost their lives in the icy ocean waters shortly after, in what was one of the world’s greatest naval disasters in recorded history.
The Final Titanic Meal
Just Another Day In The Cold War
When nuclear attacks were threatened during the Cold War, school children all around America had to be trained and prepared in case the sirens would go off at any moment. As can be imagined, this was a frightening state for most people to have to live through. In this photograph, children are seen ducking and recovering as part of a drill in 1951. Thankfully, the nuclear blast never came and life returned to normal.
Just Another Day In The Cold War
The Birth of Harley Davidson
Harley Davidson might be a globally recognized brand today, but the company had humble beginnings back in the early 1900’s when best friends William Harley and Arthur Davidson started a quest to engineer a bicycle with a motor, and no petals. The Wright brothers may have taken to creating an air travel solution, but these two were more interested in keeping their feet (and others) firmly on the ground for as long as possible.
The Birth Of Harley Davidson
Compassion Exemplified
In what is remembered as the moment where two of the most empathetic people in world history finally met, Princess Diana and Mother Teresa share a personal meeting that was captured for everyone to see. Both women were pioneers in changing the world for the better, and few would know that both would come to their untimely deaths not very long after. This earth is a better place thanks to both of these incredible and unforgettable women.
Compassion Exemplified
Not Your Average Bunch Of Musicians
Rockstars love a good jam session. Can you imagine what might have gone down if Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley got together in the same room? Thanks to this photograph, we don’t have to wonder. It must have been an inspirational meeting between some of the best creative minds in history, that no doubt encourages other artists to do the same in modern times as well.
Not Your Average Bunch Of Musicians
The Empire State Building
We promise that this is not an illusion. This shot of a brave steelworker on a break from construction of the Empire State Building performing a balancing act has gone down in history as a moment that few people can forget. Even the photographer had to be tremendously brave to take the shot, and it is said that he was in a dangling basket created to be able to take pictures nearly a thousand feet above what was probably a very busy street in New York. Better him than us!
The Empire State Building
A Sign Of The Times
When the stock market crashed in 1929, the Great Depression would bring despair into the lives of millions of Americans overnight. Unemployment reached new records, and people were doing whatever they could just to put a little bit of food on the table. Thankfully, things started to recover after World War II ended. As the photograph below suggests, we should never forget that what is granted to us can always be taken away, and we should be grateful for what we have in this moment.
A Sign Of The Times
The Peanuts Kids
The Peanuts Kids
The world-renowned ‘Peanuts’ comics have taken the world by storm, so when a television series was commissioned, creator Charles M. Schultz was particular about having children portraying the roles of the iconic characters he had invented. He also wanted them to be roughly the same ages as the characters themselves. Pictured here are the four lead characters, and the lucky children that got to take on the role of a lifetime.
The Peanuts Kids