We know what you are thinking. Is this a scene from the classic movie The Wizard of Oz? But no! This is a real-life image of something that actually happened. In a particularly huge flood in 1920, this house slid down the embankment and right into the water. We are not sure how this was possible, but perhaps houses built in those days didn’t have as strong foundations to keep them rooted to the spot in case of extreme weather conditions.
However it happened, it makes for a truly astonishing photo.
With welts and swellings of such magnitude, you might think these three boys were forced to take a photo after taking quite a beating. Well, they did—just not the kind you’d expect.
These three freshmen boys were victims of an intense snowball fight at Princeton University back in the 1890s. With sophomores intent on showing the freshmen boys their place, it's safe to say they didn’t exactly go easy on the winter game folks usually love.
People used to get into all sorts of trouble back in the day. Whether it was one of these lovely ladies' time of the month or they just delivered a child, this photo of a group of women holding up a mattress covered in an unidentified stain will forever live in our minds.
Luckily, it's immortalized in black and white. We just wish we knew the back story behind this unusual photo.
Theatrical showman Billy Rose was a famous staple of the New York entertainment scene for decades spanning across World War II and in 1939, he staged one of his most popular and famous shows of all, a fashion parade featuring his “Aquabelles”.
Here we can see the Aquabelles showing off bathing suits from the past and present—as well as modeling styles they project for the future! Isn’t it crazy to see what they predicted the styles of today would look like—they weren’t far off, were they?
The faces of Mount Rushmore are some of the most famous and iconic sights in American history, and we have all seen them either face to face or in pictures. But not many people have seen the legendary sculpture up close and personal in the way that these two fellows have, being the sculptors themselves, Gutzon Borglum and his son Lincoln.
Aboard the Mount Rushmore tramway, the two men get an incredibly close look at the cliffside sculpture as it begins to take shape. A great view for them—and an iconic photo for us.
They say the people you fight beside become your brothers for life, and that clearly seems to be the case for these two soldiers, photographed in the jungles of Vietnam in the ‘60s.
Instead of leaving his injured brother-in-arms in the jungle, this Navy Corpsman carried his fellow Marine on his back to safety, where hopefully, he was able to heal from his wounds and live to see another day. Talk about true heroes.
Mount Rushmore has become a symbol of the nation—people flock to South Dakota to get a look at the faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. But we haven't thought much about how difficult it must’ve been to actually create it—until we saw this picture.
With no harnesses to keep him secure, this guy is really living on a prayer as he carves the details of Thomas Jefferson’s eye out of the stone of the mountain. We can’t look away.
The 1960s was truly an iconic decade in more ways than one. As well as the revolutionary “peace and love” way of living, there was also a huge amount of change and innovation in all types of creative outlets, from music and art to even the fashion world.
Here we can see iconic fashion designer Christian Dior’s new and innovative styles of hats, being showcased by models of the moment Oonagh Dunne, Nena Dubois, and Anne Milling. What we wouldn’t give to be a fly on that wall!
Here we have a selection of models showcasing some of the iconic fashions and styles from the chicest decade of all time, the swinging sixties.
Fashion designer André Courrèges created these leather skirts, shaped like barrels and held up by bold suspenders. Coupled with another stylistic feature of the era, the cowl-necked blouse, these looks defined the revolutionary vibe of the decade and continue to influence fashion to this day. The bold lines and styles are so evocative of the sixties, it reminds us of the original meaning of chic.
Many a Brit will know and recognize the name of Butlins, the famous and popular holiday resort dotted all over the U.K. It’s not known for being the classiest or fanciest destinations, but families all over the country still love it and flock to it every summer.
So it may come as a surprise to many to see this super stylish and fashionable arrangement of women walking along and rocking their swimwear at the resort. It’s certainly not the sort of fashion we’d see today!
Is there anything more classy and glamorous than this picture! Here we can see three fabulous young women taking in a spot of tea atop a beautiful ski table, placed beautifully on top of an idyllic frozen lake.
These days, we’d be slipping about all over the place, before heading off to a cheap and cheerful café round the corner. Just as much fun, but not with the same kind of panache and effortless style that these ladies are so easily pulling off. What a time to be alive.
The snowy wonderland of Antarctica is still a mystery to us today, but back in the early 1900s, it was even more unknown—that was until photographers decided to explore the vast area and bring back photographic evidence of its beauty.
This perfect composition shows the magnificence of the earth’s creations, with the grotto in the ice showing just how small we humans are compared to these natural ice caves. What a humbling reminder of nature's scale and power.
While most of us think of fancy electric cars when we hear “Tesla”, the American-Serbian inventor, Nikola Tesla was a true force to be reckoned with, especially because he spent his life discovering the limits of energy.
This wild photo is actually a clever mashup of two shots—one with electric voltage crackling, and the other with Tesla calmly seated as if he’s just reading the morning paper. Even so, this crazy image captures both the power—and the daring eccentricity—of his mind-bending inventions.
The Macy’s Day Parade has become one of the best known and most loved traditions associated with Thanksgiving. Can you imagine the holiday without it?! But just look at this picture from all the way back in 1931, when the tradition had been running for less than 10 years.
The pomp and ceremony seen in this photo is just amazing, and even though the Parade is still a feast for the eyes, nothing can quite capture the magic of these early days of the tradition.
We often think of today’s era as the most technologically advanced, and of course in many ways that is completely true. The innovations and inventions taking place today move at a staggering pace, but we must take a moment to remember the life-changing scientific developments of history that enabled all of these amazing discoveries.
This amazing photo shows the experimental plant for extracting penicillin, as used by the research team at England’s Oxford University. Penicillin is of course one of the greatest medical developments in history, and this photo shows a truly pivotal moment in those advancements.
We thought we'd seen it all until we saw this disturbing image that captures moments before the execution of Anton Dostler. Dostler was a German general during World War II who became the first high-ranking officer to be executed for war crimes by the Allies. In 1944, he ordered the execution of 15 American soldiers who had been captured behind enemy lines in Italy.
He was tried for war crimes at Nuremberg, found guilty, and faced a firing squad in December 1945, making him a grim symbol of the consequences of following illegal orders.
Officially titled "Burst of Joy", this poignant photo shows Lt. Col. Robert L. Stirm coming home from the Vietnam War in 1973. Photographer Slava "Sal" Veder captured the moment at Travis Air Force Base in California, after spending more than five years in captivity as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam.
We can see Stirm's daughter Lorrie leaping with joy, with her arms outstretched, and the rest of the family beaming with happiness. The photo became famous worldwide for showing the mixed emotions of war.
Lois Collier was an American actress known for her work in the 1940s, particularly in B-movies and television series, where she brought charm and versatility to a variety of roles.
While it looks like she's being fitted for a new pair of shoes, in this iconic photo, she's actually trying on a movie studio replica of the “Spanish Boot”, a grisly torture device used in the Middle Ages to cause crushing injuries to the feet and legs.
In the Victorian era, post-mortem photography was a common practice where families would photograph their deceased children as a way to memorialize them. This practice emerged in the mid-19th century when high mortality rates, especially among children, made death a frequent part of life.
These photos often depicted the child in lifelike poses, sometimes surrounded by their favorite toys or in their family's arms, creating a semblance of peaceful slumber. This served both as a keepsake and a coping mechanism, allowing families to grieve and remember their lost loved ones in an era before widespread photography.
There's no denying that Raquel Welch was one of the most beautiful women to grace the big screen. Not only was she a movie icon in the 1960s and 1970s, she was also known for her political activism. In 1967, Raquel Welch joined a Bob Hope USO tour to boost the morale of the troops in Vietnam and it’s clear to see that she was achieving her objective.
The American GIs did nothing to hide how much they appreciated the talented actress’ good looks and dance moves when she invited them to join her onstage during the Christmas show at the 9th Infantry Division's Bear Cat base camp.
Believe it or not, this photo isn’t one of a man dressing in poor taste—it’s actually of President Calvin Coolidge, accepting his honorary membership into the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in 1927.
Coolidge was the first U.S. president to make an official visit to a reservation and advocated for tribal rights across the country, giving Native Americans citizenship. As a result, he was thrown a ceremony and given the name “Leading Eagle”—as well as this feathered war bonnet—to thank him.
Back in the Victorian era, there were tons of health conditions that rarely exist today. One of them was Phocomelia, a condition resulting in shortened or absent limbs. The most notable instance of this in history was the use of thalidomide, which caused severe limb deformities in thousands of babies.
Photographs like these documented the lives and challenges of these children, providing a poignant glimpse into the medical and social history of the time.
In the 1800s, the world was on the cusp of unlocking the mysteries hidden beneath the ocean's surface, and scuba diving took a daring turn with the emergence of hard hat diving suits.
They don't look anything like the advanced equipment we have these days, but this was a major upgrade compared to what they had before. So much so, that this man was posing next to his wife in his.
Halloween costumes aren't a recent thing, but they sure have changed over the years. In Victorian times, Halloween costumes were quite different from the ones we see today. Influenced by the era's fascination with the supernatural and the macabre, costumes were often handmade and designed to be eerie and otherworldly.
People would dress as ghosts, witches, and other spooky characters using simple materials like sheets, dark fabrics, and masks. Unlike the mass-produced, colorful costumes of the modern era, Victorian Halloween attire was more somber and crafted to evoke fear.
With our cities now full of modern buildings and new construction, it’s hard to imagine that not that long ago, our streets were stained by the slave trade that was located in so many places including St. Louis, Missouri, where this photo was taken.
In 1852, still 13 years before slavery was officially outlawed in the U.S., these men stood around Lynch’s Slave Market, just one of many markets in the hub of St. Louis. It’s staggering to see a photo that captures a piece of that history so starkly.
Goodness me! Now, each to his own, but some hobbies really are extremely strange. Here we can see Greek strongman Gus Lessis bending over backwards with an 800-pound rock on top of his chest. Next to him is a man readying himself to smash said rock with a hammer. Now this is a very impressive feat of strength, but we just have to ask ourselves—why would anyone do this?
We’d rather stay home with a cup of tea—and we don’t see this picture being recreated anytime soon.
Even though research and experimentation have continued to progress the creation of artificial limbs over the years, we had no idea their use dated all the way back to the 1800s.
A boot and shoemaker located in the UK crafted a pair of artificial legs for this young girl, allowing her to walk despite her disability. Even 130 years ago, people were finding ways to overcome challenges and live life fully. As they say, necessity is the mother of invention—and this is a perfect example.
People often think of astronauts as being overwhelmingly men, but did you know that women have been part of the global space travel effort for many decades, even though they’ve had to fight through various glass ceilings to make their way through.
Here we can see Jerrie Cobb in her astronaut training, learning how to control the spin of a tumbling spacecraft as it moves through space. Cobb made history when she was the first woman to pass all three phases of the Mercury Astronaut Program. Out of this world!
When we think of the 1920s, we usually think of flapper girls and fabulous parties, all the glitz and glamor of the roaring twenties. But in reality, a lot of the party scene that took place in this iconic decade was actually secret and behind closed doors—because of the prohibition laws that were in effect throughout the country.
Here we can see New York City Deputy Police Commissioner John A. Leach, who has just conducted a raid in New York City. And you can see that he has found a big barrel of liquor—and has ordered to be poured right in to the sewers. An astonishing sight!
During WWII, Americans of all walks of life stepped up to contribute to the war effort, helping in any way they could to support the U.S. military and their troops.
Here we can see an especially beautiful example, where a civil service walker has been captured painting the America insignia on the wing of a US Navy airplane. This stunning snap was taken at the Naval Air Base in Corpus Christi in Texas in 1942, and this hand-painted painstaking work is surely something we wouldn’t see today.
Martin Luther King Jr. was no stranger to threats. After all, despite, or perhaps because of his reach and influence across the country, his position placed him in a vulnerable position to those who didn’t agree or like the things he was saying. Still, this photo is haunting.
Standing with his son in their front yard in 1960, King had to pull out the cross that had been burned by folks clearly trying to send a threatening message. It’s hard to imagine the thoughts running through his mind at that moment.
Sometimes, when people make us so angry, we can’t help but flip them a small gesture to express our frustration—and at a Senate committee hearing in 1957, Union Boss Jim Hoffa did exactly that to attorney Robert Kennedy.
Ever the powerful, though controversial, man, Hoffa made sure this gesture was made somewhat subtly—though clear enough that Kennedy knew the message was directed at him. Hey, who said you had to be completely professional in court?
Harriet Tubman beat the odds in all kinds of ways throughout her life, eventually living to an impressive 91 years after a life packed with courage and grit. Born into slavery, she escaped in 1849 and went on to lead hundreds to freedom as a key player on the Underground Railroad.
Even in her later years, she didn’t slow down, fighting for civil rights and women’s suffrage. This photo of her as an older woman captures her strength and spirit, celebrating the huge mark she left on history.
John Glenn made history in 1962 when he became the first American to orbit the Earth. He set off in the Friendship 7 mission, circling the Earth three times before making a stunning landing in the Atlantic Ocean.
Here we can see members of the U.S. navy surrounding the waterborne aircraft, waiting for the famous astronaut to disembark the vessel. From the wilds of outer space to the ravages of the ocean—this photo is truly a glimpse into one of the most momentous and iconic moments of history.
It’s strange to see any picture of Albert Einstein looking like a regular person, doing regular things. His eccentric looks and demeanor, coupled with his truly legendary abilities and mathematical legacies, make him feel truly like the stuff of mythology rather than a regular guy, let alone a husband and father.
But here he is in 1939, looking like just a regular dad, albeit with a wacky hairdo, as his daughter sits on his lap while they both attend the opening of the Jewish Pavilion in Queens, New York.
We bet looking at the photo, you wouldn't think this man is a war criminal. A truly controversial man, Dr. Wernher von Braun contributed to the U.S. space effort after escaping to the United States to avoid being brought to justice for playing a major role in Germany's rocket program.
This photo shows him standing in front of five F-1 rocket engines, which would power the Saturn V rocket that sent astronauts to the Moon. While his life was full of both controversy and innovation, there's no denying he contributed to history.
This may look like a game or a photo of a child merely playing along at being a sort of conductor while in front of a classical orchestra, but that’s not the case. Because this is in fact Pierino Gamba, who was famous in the 1940s as a child prodigy in the world of music.
Before he was even 10 years old, Gamba was conducting orchestras, and he went on to become one of the most famous conductors in the world. Here he is at some point in the 1940s, conducting a powerful musical moment despite his tiny stature.
If you’re wondering why we don’t travel by airship, this photo will explain everything. The Hindenburg disaster on May 6, 1937, marked a tragic and unforgettable moment in aviation history.
As the massive German airship, filled with highly flammable hydrogen, attempted to dock at Lakehurst, New Jersey, it suddenly burst into flames. The fire claimed the lives of 35 people on board and one person on the ground. Images of the burning airship spread worldwide, ending the era of passenger airships almost overnight.
Though we truly adore the showbiz stars of today, there’s no denying that the Hollywood Golden Age was a true era of brilliance, glitz and glamor that we can never hope to reach those same levels again. And here we have a photo from all the way back in 1929, of Hollywood legends Joan Crawford and Dorothy Sebastian, posing alongside a portable phonograph.
What could possibly capture the dreamy moments of that legendary time more than a photo of these two stars and a long-forgotten piece of musical equipment? Truly a taste of times gone by.
This looks like an image of some super tiny miniature people! But actually, this is just a real-life photo of regular sized people, standing next to their camera in 1921. Yes, that’s right—this picture shows the photographers from the Mission Art Company and their device—a camera built into a large truck.
This camera is so enormous that it looks like a joke or some sort of trick! But this is actually what it looked like in those days—certainly not something you could carry around in your pocket for selfies.
We all know about the importance and usefulness of “upcycling”, one of the more popular trends on the internet today. But did you know that this actually has been a vital concept for many years, going back as far as the 1940s during the war?
Here we can see a woman at the Du Pont Research Laboratory working hard as she recycles a pair of nylon leggings, to use the new nylon material for military uses. How ingenious—and stylish!
What a wild ride! Here we have classic musical theater superstars Elizabeth Larner and Shani Wallis, having the time of their lives as they zoom down the super speedy Big Dipper ride at Festival Gardens. Behind them you can also see fellow stars Sybil Summers and Gail Kennedy, also known for their work across the stage.
What we wouldn’t give to hear all of their dulcet tones crying out in excitement and joy as they plunge to the bottom of this ride!
This scene looks like a pretty idyllic holiday resort, and actually is. What is so unusual about this photo, showing a young woman relaxing on a vacation in Alexandria, Egypt?
The reason you would never see this photo today is because it was actually sent from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. While a common sight at the time, these days the religious laws in Saudi strictly forbid women from revealing their bare legs, meaning an image like this would be considered totally unacceptable.
Clowns—you either love them, or you hate them. If you were there to witness the original Ronald McDonald’s debut in 1963, we have a feeling you might lean toward a more negative perception of them.
Played by TV weatherman Willard Scott, this early Ronald was more of a slapstick character than the polished clown later versions would become. Despite the odd look, this version of Ronald marked the start of one of the most iconic mascots in fast-food history.
These days, when your local area is hit by a heatwave, it often actually makes it a little easier for you to get to work—because everyone wants to get to somewhere where there’s a/c!
But back in the 1950s, the women working at Bardwell & McAlister Electronic Plant in Burbank, had no such luxury. That’s why you can see them all heading to work in super short shorts—to try and stay cool during the working day.
Though in many ways office attire has relaxed a lot since these days, it’s still a pretty iconic shot even by modern standards.
Did you know that before surfing became the sort of cool-dude sport it is thought of today, it used to be something of a dorky or questionable pursuit? That’s why it’s even more amazing to see this photo of six young women holding their surfboards before heading out to catch some waves in Southern California around 1930.
These days, you might well see keen surfers assembled on the beach, but they certainly wouldn’t be rocking this amazing vintage style.
At first glance, this may just look like a silly joke pic where someone has put some headphones on a monkey and got them to sit still. But if you know your history, you will know that 1923 saw an incredibly significant movement and trial regarding both monkeys and humans—or rather, the legality of teaching the theory of evolution rather than creationism in schools.
The famous Scopes “Monkey” Trial saw a teacher taken to court for teaching evolution to his students, and this amazing snap shows a monkey called Jock listening in to the verdict over the radio.
Would you be daring enough to try a bulletproof vest? We know we sure wouldn't be! Here we see a bold live demo at the Washington City police headquarters with WH Murphy putting a new bulletproof vest to the ultimate test. Standing less than 10 feet from an officer armed with an S&W Model 10 weapon, Murphy braced himself as two .38-caliber rounds were fired straight at his chest.
Remarkably, he took both hits without flinching, impressing everyone watching, including the Frederick County Police Department officers. This daring stunt was meant to prove the vest’s life-saving potential. It definitely left an impression!
French playwright Jean Cocteau was a creative master of many trades, excelling as a poet, playwright, novelist, designer, filmmaker, visual artist, and critic throughout the course of his long and varied career.
Here he can be seen at a cocktail party he threw in Paris in 1961, posing inside a giant bird cage. The party was in honor of his new play Théâtre Forain, just one of the many masterpieces this creative genius gave to the world of French theater. Oo la la!
This striking, iconic photo is not, in fact, a romantic gesture, but one of life-saving efforts. While we always thought it was between two lovers, "The Kiss of Life" captures the moment when performing routine maintenance, Randall G. Champion accidentally brushed a live low-voltage line at the top of a utility pole, getting electrocuted.
His safety harness prevented a fall, but he was unconscious. J.D. Thompson, who had been climbing just below him, immediately rushed to him and began mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. The intense image shows the life-saving moment, where every second mattered.
In the late 1800s, bison were nearly wiped out, with their population plummeting from somewhere in the millions to a couple hundred. A truly haunting image of man’s interaction with nature was captured in this photo of a massive pile of bison skulls, taken in 1892 outside Michigan Carbon Works in Rougeville, Michigan.
These skulls were then made into fertilizer, glue, and ash. The stark image of skulls piled high serves as a chilling reminder of the devastation caused by overhunting and the near extinction of a once-thriving species.
This iconic picture shows Broadway stage star Penny Edwards walking down a New York City street wearing nothing but a barrel!
The barrel has a sign on it reading, “I did my bit, did you?” What Edwards had done was donate the clothes she was wearing to the United National Clothing Drive, collecting clothes for the war destitute of Europe.
Did you know that during the Armenian Genocide many women were forcibly tattooed, many times on their faces? Taking place between 1915 and 1923 the Armenian Genocide was a systematic extermination of 1.5 million Armenians by the Ottoman Empire during World War I, driven by religious, political, and ethnic factors.
Under the rule of the Young Turks, Armenians were taken into captivity and tribal tattoos that covered faces and bodies signified assimilation into Muslim Bedouin and Kurdish households. This woman shows a powerful symbol of lived trauma and survival.
Nowadays we can travel all over the world using a huge variety of modern and efficient modes of transport, be it planes, cars, trains or boats. But does anyone remember the iconic launch of the Amphicar? This was an “amphibious car”, meaning it could operate on both land and water. So if you’re driving along the road and see an interesting looking stream, you can just bound right in and sail through it!
People still own amphicars to this day, but they’re not hugely popular. This was one of the first outings of the iconic vehicle, floating along the Regent’s Canal in London, England in 1964.
Everyone knows that the Wimbledon tennis tournament is the epitome of British style and class. Is it the stereotypical poise, is it the stiff upper lip, is it the ever fresh strawberries and cream served at every event to this day? We are not sure, but probably the crisp white tennis fashions have something to do with it—a tradition that the tournament’s been rocking since the 60s.
Here we can see a truly iconic moment, during the pre-Wimbledon fashion show, some stunning models show off the impeccable style that’s now become a staple of tennis fashion.
This bear isn’t any ordinary bear, his name is Wojtek which means “Joyful Warrior” and he took part in combat during World War II, becoming a war hero.
Polish II Corps stumbled upon the orphaned bear cub in Iran and to provide for his rations and transportation, he was enlisted as a soldier with the rank of private, and then he was promoted to corporal. During that time, he lifted heavy crates of ammunition on his back and after the war, he made the Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland his home.
Look at this mess! It looks like this computer is broken or somehow unraveled, with this massive labyrinthine collection of wires and tubes. But believe it or not, this is actually how the first computers actually looked, way back before transistors were introduced in the 1950s.
Here we can see an IBM engineer working on one of the first computers in 1949, working his way through the myriad wires and switches. These computers were so complicated that they needed 50 engineers to work them!
The tale of the Titanic’s sinking has become an iconic chapter in history, with survivors entrusted to tell its haunting story. Thankfully, Collapsible Lifeboat D was one of the few to carry people to safety as the ship sank.
It was the last lifeboat to be launched, as the others were either destroyed or washed away. Lifeboat D carried around 60 passengers, and this photo captures the chilling moment of its escape, floating in the icy waters. What a shock it must’ve been to everyone, both those on board and the ones who found them.
These days, when Christmas rolls around, children always seem to want the most up to date iPhone or computer game. Long gone are the days when they longed for old fashioned and wholesome toys!
And this pic of old-fashioned dolls and toy sets really makes us all feel so nostalgic for these long forgotten and simpler times. This array of potential Christmas presents looks like something out of a movie, but really, it’s just from a general store in 1953.
Those were the days!
We can’t even imagine what we are seeing here in this pic, happening on the beach today in modern times. As we know, these days people are free to do and wear whatever they like, with no one policing standards of dress or modesty regulations.
But in 1922, a man called Bill Norton was known to many as the “Bathing Beach Cop”, as he would go around measuring the distance between women’s knees and the bottom of their bathing suits. Can you imagine someone checking this now? They would need extremely long tape measures!
Kids these days love to play with cars, trains, and everything in between. While the toys have evolved just like the real thing, it turns out that this has been a beloved pastime for kids for centuries now.
They became popular in the early to mid-20th century and have since evolved, with modern versions made like the Little Tikes red-and-yellow style you might be more used to.
The Berlin Wall was a truly painful and dramatic chapter in Germany, and this haunting photograph, taken on November 30, 1961, captures the early stages of its construction. Built by East Germany, it was meant to divide East Berlin from West Berlin—but it became a true symbol of the Cold War.
In front of the Brandenburg Gate, East German soldiers and workers began to work on the wall. The wall separated families, friends, and an entire city for nearly three decades, marking one of the most tense moments in 20th-century history.
It's hard to imagine a time before Tel Aviv, Israel was thriving. But this photo taken back in 1909 marks the official birth of Tel Aviv. A group of 66 Jewish families gathered in front of a vast stretch of sand dunes near Jaffa, taking part in a historic lottery to divide a 12-acre plot of land. They used seashells to randomly select their plots.
At the time, the area was nothing more than a desolate land of sand. It’s hard to imagine that this spot stood in the same place that the vibrant city does now, just over 100 years ago.
It seems like people back in the day really wanted to prove they could cheat death—at least, that’s what it looks like when you see the workers painting the Eiffel Tower with limited safety equipment.
Despite the risky business, the tower still needed an upkeep every seven years, requiring around 60 tons of paint to keep it looking sharp. Hopefully, they eventually figured out some better safety measures, considering how often this task had to be repeated.
Though the huge markers of history may come and go, and the passage of time is one thing none of us can hope to stop or even slow down, there are some things we can count on to maintain throughout the ages. And one of those things is none other than cultural institution and everlasting television icon—none other than Sesame Street’s Big Bird.
Here is Big Bird (the man inside the costume is Carroll Spinney)—alongside host Bob McGrath, as they film a special location episode on the Hawaiian Island of Kauai.
These military maidens may look all glammed up for a day of fun and frolics by the sea, but they are actually taking part in a pretty worthwhile cause. This photo was taken in 1932 at the Army Relief Fete. This was a special event to raise money for the military and strengthen the U.S. troops.
These girls can be seen as they ready themselves to participate at the event, which was held at the Army, Navy and Marine Corps Country Club in D.C.
If you thought this photo reminded you of something nostalgic, you’d be right. A little boy named Christopher Robin received a teddy bear back in the 1920s from his father on his first birthday, who would later be known as Winnie the Pooh.
This bear, who captured the imagination of a young boy, would go on to inspire the beloved character, forever linking the real and the fictional in a cartoon that still resonates with audiences today.
This haunting photo stopped us dead in our tracks! It captures the heart-wrenching decision of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Chalifoux during the Great Depression. With a "For Sale" sign in front of their Chicago home, the jobless coal truck driver and his wife faced eviction and felt they had no other option but to sell their four children.
The mother is turning away from the camera, while her young children look confused and unaware of the dire situation. While it’s painful to look at, we can only imagine how difficult it must have been to put up that sign.
Here we can see Japanese-American artist and landscape architect Isamu Noguchi, surveying what would later become part of the Associated Press Building Plaque, an iconic feature installed in the Rockefeller Center and still standing to this day.
At the time, this feature was the largest-ever stainless steel casting—it was carved out in plaster, and then cast in stainless steel. Isn’t it astonishing! Whereas nowadays we are used to seeing it installed as part of the building, here it is in its earlier form when nothing but a genius idea.
Look at this astonishing display of style! This looks like an artist’s sketch or a beautiful painting, but it is in fact a real life photo from 1954. This stunning shot features models of the moment—Marla Scarafia, Pat Goldsworthy, Ann Farrar, and June Hatfield—strutting down a street in New York City, looking impossibly stylish and cool.
Move over Carrie and pals, these gals had the Big Apple in the palm of their hands way before the advent of the TV series—and showed off a sense of style that no one has ever been able to capture since.
What an iconic pic we have here. Featured in this photo are classic stars from the 1930s, Charles Ray and Lillian Bond. Charles Ray was known for his starring roles in a string of hit movies, whereas Lillian Bond made her name on the musical comedy circuit.
Here they are playing checkers on a giant outdoor board atop the Hotel Governor Clinton. And if that wasn’t enough, the game is being refereed by renowned composer Ted Barorn! Talk about rubbing shoulders with the elite!
As if we had any more reasons to be afraid to take public transportation. This dramatic train accident occurred when the Granville–Paris Express derailed at the Gare Montparnasse in Paris, France, in 1895. The train, running late, couldn't make up time due to faulty brakes and an ineffective air brake system.
The train barreled through the station's buffer stop, across the concourse, and through the station wall, landing on Place de Rennes below. Tragically, a woman was killed by falling debris. The wreck remains one of the most iconic and unfortunate moments in rail history.
Can you believe this is the first-ever photograph of a U.S. president? In 1843, this photo of John Quincy Adams was taken, however, he was no longer president at the time—he was actually serving as a congressman when the photo was taken.
Still, this image stands as the earliest known photograph of an American president and marks a fascinating moment in history, as politics continued and photography was just beginning. Think how different presidential images are today compared to this early photo.
Though it might shock you, this rare photograph from 1895 shows a young Winston Churchill at just 21 years old, long before he became the iconic British leader known for his wartime speeches and leadership during World War II.
Taken during his time as a cavalry officer in India, this image offers a glimpse of Churchill’s early life, well before he became a household name. With a determined look in his eyes, it’s hard to imagine that this young man would go on to shape the course of history in such a powerful way.
On September 3, 1967, Sweden made the bold move to switch from driving on the left side of the road to the right. Known as "Högertrafikomläggningen", the change was made to harmonize with neighboring countries and improve road safety.
After years of preparation and years of debate, the official shift happened overnight, with a nationwide campaign to prepare drivers for the switch. The change cost a ton of money and lots of confusion, but eventually, Sweden successfully made the transition.
We always knew the Statue of Liberty was large, but we’d never seen her quite like this. As the statue came over to the United States from France in 350 pieces, folks flocked to the site to see the work in progress.
Workers had to carefully unpack and reconstruct the 151-foot-tall statue, using a massive iron framework designed by Gustave Eiffel, the same engineer behind the Eiffel Tower. It was finally unveiled in 1886, becoming a true symbol of the country.
We always knew the Statue of Liberty was large, but we’d never seen her quite like this. As the statue came over to the United States from France in 350 pieces, folks flocked to the site to see the work in progress.
Workers had to carefully unpack and reconstruct the 151-foot-tall statue, using a massive iron framework designed by Gustave Eiffel, the same engineer behind the Eiffel Tower. It was finally unveiled in 1886, becoming a true symbol of the country.
This may look like a random and somewhat silly pic, but it’s actually quite a popular thing for young people to try and pull off in front of the camera. In this photo we can see high school students attempting to squeeze themselves into a Volkswagen Beetle, seeing how many of them they can actually fit inside the vehicle.
Over the years, people have tried to emulate this spirit and pull off the same feat, but this photo remains one of the most amazing ever—as there are no less than 31 teenagers stuffed into this car!
This photograph of Claude Monet, taken shortly before his death in 1926, captures the iconic Impressionist artist in his later years. By this time, Monet had largely retreated from public life, focusing on his famous garden in Giverny and continuing to paint his beloved water lilies.
Though his eyesight was failing, Monet's passion for art never failed. Just a few months later, Monet passed away, but his legacy lives on through his transformative works.
