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50 Color Photos That Make History Look Truly Stunning

Thanks to the great advances made to photo editing technology, pretty much anyone can try their hand at the art of colorizing black and white photos. All it takes is a lot of skill and a ton of time -- and we mean a crap ton. Colorizing some photos can take hours. Thankfully, others can only take 30 minutes at most.

In no way are we saying that the process is easy.  However, for those with the patience and skill, it’s possible to make the past come alive in full living color like never before! It gives us all a chance to see history we've seen a million times in a different light. 

In this slideshow, we’re counting down the most iconic, stunning colorized photos from history. These photographs depict the whole spectrum of the human experience—from the fun and lighthearted to some of the darkest moments in humanity’s past. What unites them all is that they have been painstakingly and impressively enhanced from their original black and white origins into something colorful and alive. You truly have never experienced history like this! 

We hope you love these colorized photos as much as we did. It certainly taught us a thing or two!

Audrey Hepburn

Audrey Hepburn

Audrey Hepburn was a film and fashion icon. Born in 1929, she's ranked as the third greatest female screen legend. She rose to fame after starring in the romantic comedy Roman Holiday in 1953. She went on to star in several successful films, receiving multiple awards. 

Besides being a star in the entertainment and fashion industry, Hepburn also devoted much of her time to UNICEF. She donated her time and money to working in some of the poorest communities of Africa, South America, and Asia. She received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award posthumously.

Donaldson Collection/Moviepix/Getty Images

The Beatles

The Beatles

In this iconic photo, you can see the members of the Beatles crossing Abbey Road just outside EMI Studios. That morning, the photographer was given only ten minutes to take the photo while standing on a step ladder. An interesting fact about this photo is that it is part of the only album sleeve cover to show neither the artist name nor the album title on its front cover. 

When you're the most famous band in the world, I guess you can leave out that information! You can also just make out the license plate on a Volkswagen Beetle in the background. After the album was released, the license plate was stolen from the car. 

The Dust Bowl

The Dust Bowl

The Dust Bowl represented a tough time in American history. It was a period during the 1930s in which severe drought and failure to apply smart farming methods caused this damaging phenomenon. It's been the subject of many cultural works, including The Grapes of Wrath.

In this photograph, you can see a dust storm approaching Stratford, Texas in 1935. Farmers had completed deep plowing of the Great Plains throughout the previous decade. This removed the native, deep-rooted grasses that held the soil in place. Between this and the drought, huge dark clouds blackened the sky, reducing visibility to three feet or less. 

(Credit: NOAA George E. Marsh Album, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

Charlie Chaplin

Charlie Chaplin

Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin Jr., born 1889, was an English comedic actor, filmmaker, and composer. He was a star in the era of silent film and became a worldwide icon through his on-screen persona, the Tramp. His career lasted more than 75 years and saw both adoration and controversy.

He was born into poverty with an absent father and a struggling mother. Chaplin began performing at an early age, getting signed at age 19. By 1918, he was one of the world's most popular figures. In the 1940s, controversy, including an FBI investigation, forced Chaplin to leave the U.S. and abandon his persona. Nonetheless, he continued to be extremely successful due to his genius. 

(Cassowary Colorizations, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

Thomas Edison and Henry Ford

Thomas Edison and Henry Ford

Thomas Edison was born in 1847. He's best known as the American inventor and businessman. He developed technologies including things like electric power generation, electric communication, sound recording, and motion pictures. His inventions have obviously had a huge impact on our modern world. 

Henry Ford was born in 1863 and was also a businessman—along with being an industrialist and founder of the Ford Motor Company. He was a chief developer of the assembly line, converting an expensive luxury into something more accessible. His ideas revolutionized and shaped the transportation industry. 

Transcendental Graphics/Archive Photos/Getty Images

Lee Harvey Oswald

Lee Harvey Oswald

Everyone knows about the infamous Lee Harvey Oswald. He assassinated President John F. Kennedy - as far as we know - which sent the entire nation into mourning. This photograph was taken in 1963, just as he was being transported for questioning before his trial. But what happened next really complicated things.

if you know your history, you know Lee Harvey Oswald was, of course, killed at the age of 24 before he was ever convicted for the assassination of JFK, which was the subject of many conspiracies - particularly that Oswald wasn't the only person involved in the assassination. 

(Dallas Police; Warren Commission, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

New Orleans Desegregation Crisis

New Orleans Desegregation Crisis

With the historic 1964 Civil Rights Act, federal measures to enforce school desegregation were put in place. This happened in the South first. Reports say that from 1969 to 1972, the percentage of African Americans attending schools that were at least 90 percent black dropped from 78% to 25%. 

Some school districts redrew school attendance zones. Others paired all-black and all-white schools so that one became an integrated school for grades 1-3 while the other had grades 4-6. Some even bused kids to schools outside their neighborhoods to make sure they were meeting the racial balance. 

H. Armstrong Roberts/ClassicStock/Archive Photos/Getty Images

Oglala Man

Oglala Man

In this 1899 photograph, we see the portrait of Oglala Sioux Shout At, taken in Omaha, Nebraska. The Oglala, meaning "to scatter one's own" in Lakota, is one of the seven subtribes of the Lakota people. A majority of the Oglala live on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. 

The Oglala are a federally recognized tribe whose official title is the Oglala Sioux Tribe. However, many Oglala reject the term "Sioux" due to the theory that its origin may be a derogatory word meaning "snake" in Ojibwe, enemy of the Lakota. Oglala elders relate stories about the origin of the name "Oglala" and their emergence as a distinct group sometime in the 18th century. 

GraphicaArtis/Archive Photos/Getty Images

Charles Lindbergh

Charles Lindbergh

Charles Lindbergh made history when he became the first person to fly across the Atlantic completely solo in 1923. He made the 3,500-mile journey in 33 ½ hours, and his success gave hope to others who wanted to cross the Atlantic, including Amelia Earhart, who made the journey in 1928. 

At the start of his career, he lived modestly as a US Air Mail Pilot before rising to fame. He would serve during WWII in combat missions and as a consultant. He died of lymphoma on the island of Maui in Hawaii. He is considered one of the most notable persons in aviation of the 20th century.

Print Collector/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Iconic Actresses

Iconic Actresses

Portraits look a lot different nowadays and in more ways than one. They've been around for years, and this is one of the older, vintage portraits for iconic actress Grace Kelly at the height of her career during the 1950s. It certainly highlights how our definition of beauty has changed since portrait photography began!

Grace Kelly reached the pinnacle of her film career during the '50s. Born into a wealthy Philadelphia family, Kelly's journey to stardom was meteoric. With her striking beauty, poise, and talent, she captivated audiences and critics alike. Kelly's collaborations with renowned directors showcased her versatility and acting prowess.

Bettmann/Bettmann/Getty Images

Claude Monet

Claude Monet

This photograph depicts famous French Impressionist painter, Claude Monet in 1899. Monet is regarded as one of the founders of French impressionism, and he is especially famous for his nature and landscape paintings. And he's one of the first artists that comes to mind when you think of famous painters.

Oftentimes when you think of the great artists of old, you don't imagine a photograph of them. You may be lucky to see a sketch or painting of them. That's why having a colorized photo of Monet is so cool. Especially one that dates back well over 100 years ago!

Photo Researchers/Archive Photos/Getty Images

Britt Ekland

Britt Ekland

Anyone else remember Britt Ekland? She was an icon of beauty, style, and grace. She was a witchy temptress in The Wicker Man and one of the first Bond Girls. This photo shows her in her Mayfair, London apartment in 1972. We're loving her vibes!

It is said that Peter Sellers long struggled with insecurity and depression. In addition to alcohol and substance abuse,  Peter Sellers' issues put a strain on their marriage and his health as he suffered from a series of heart attacks. Britt Eckland had stayed by him through the toughest years of his life before his death.

(Allan warren, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

Brigitte Bardot's Breakout Film

Brigitte Bardot's Breakout Film

Today, everyone knows the name Brigitte Bardot. She was known for her beauty, but also her ability to act. Her breakout film was ...And God Created Woman (1956). At the time she was in her early 20s, and she had no idea where her film career was going to go. 

She became known as a symbol for the emancipated persona on camera. In addition to acting, she also did some singing work and has advocated for animal rights. French actress Brigitte Bardot had married a total of four times. She is now 86 years old and has just one child.

(Image via Iéna Productions/Union Cinématographique Lyonnaise)

Samurai Training

Samurai Training

Here, we see a picture of Samurai of the Satsuma Clan during the Boshin War period in the 1860s. The Boshin War, sometimes known as the Japanese Revolution or Japanese Civil War, was a civil war in Japan. Forces of the ruling Tokugawa shogunate and those trying to return political power to the Imperial Court fought this short war.

The war ended with an Imperial victory. It marked the end of the shogunate and restored Imperial rule. If this event sounds familiar, it's because of the 2003 Western interpretation The Last Samurai. It combines the Boshin War, the Satsuma Rebellion, and other uprisings of ex-samurai.

(Felice Beato, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

Battle of Verdun

Battle of Verdun

In September 1916, amidst the carnage of World War I's Battle of Verdun on the Western Front in France, the landscape bore witness to both heroism and tragedy. Three women, donning the emblematic Red Cross armbands, braved the horrors of war to provide aid and comfort to the wounded. Their presence symbolized the resilience and compassion amidst the chaos of battle.

Meanwhile, the French ambulance staff worked tirelessly alongside them, navigating the treacherous terrain and relentless bombardments to evacuate the injured from the front lines. With their vehicles serving as lifelines amid the devastation, these brave men and women risked their lives daily to save others.

Galerie Bilderwelt/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Grace Kelly

Grace Kelly

Grace Kelly -- or should we say Princess Grace Kelly -- was easily the most beautiful woman in the world. That's precisely why she caught the eye of Rainier III, Prince of Monaco. After that, it's completely understandable that she ditched Hollywood to become royalty. Of course, in spirit, she always was royalty.

The American actress only starred in a total of 14 films, along with a variety of television shows, but of the work, she did she has easily cemented her legacy in Hollywood. Of course, it's difficult to say how well she would be remembered to this day if it weren't for the fact that she became a Princess. 

Sunset Boulevard/Corbis Historical/Getty Images

Princess Diana's Infamous Black Dress

Princess Diana's Infamous Black Dress

Shortly after Princess Diana and Prince Charles split, she came out wearing this short-cut, stunning black dress. It outlined her figure beautifully, and for that reason, it became referred to as the "revenge" dress. She certainly looked amazing! Princess Diana was always beloved by the public even though the royal family wasn't her biggest fan.

Princess Diana and Prince Charles had divorced by 1996 due to Charle's extramarital affairs and depression within the marriage. Still very much in the public eye after her divorce, she was killed in a car crash involving paparazzi in 1997. Photographs like these are all that we have left to remember her by.

Princess Diana Archive/Hulton Royals Collections/Getty Images

The Romanov Sisters

The Romanov Sisters

This picture of the Romanov sisters was taken in 1910, eight years before they were brutally murdered. Their father, Tsar Nicholas II, was the last monarch of Russia before Lenin ordered their execution during the Russian Revolution. It is one of the great tragedies in Russian history and won't be forgotten.

 Russian Imperial Romanov family consisted of Emperor Nicholas II, Empress Alexandra, and their five children: Anastasia, and Alexei. they were murdered by  Bolshevik revolutionaries under the command of Yakov Yurovsky. At least four other notable people were killed that night and their bodies were mutilated and stripped in order to prevent identification.

Print Collector/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

The San Francisco Earthquake of 1906

The San Francisco Earthquake of 1906

This photograph depicts the aftermath of the Great San Francisco Earthquake in 1906. You can see great plumes of smoke behind the buildings. It's one of the most significant earthquakes of all time not only because of its sheer size, but because of the knowledge gained from it. 

At about 5:12 a.m., a foreshock occurred, with the earthquake breaking loose 20 to 25 seconds later. The strong shaking lasted 45-60 seconds. It was felt from southern Oregon to just south of Los Angeles and as far as central Nevada. What is perhaps most remembered is the fire it spawned. The previously estimated 700 deaths is most likely a severe underestimation. 

Photo 12/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

Louis Armstrong

Louis Armstrong

Louis Armstrong, known as one of the greatest jazz musicians of all time, poses for a photo in 1953. Armstrong is best known for his songs, “What a Wonderful World” and “When the Saints Go Marching In.”  He was popular then, and people still listen to him today.

Louis Armstrong was renowned for his skills as a trumpeter and a vocalist.  His career expanded five decades through different eras of jazz. Born and raised in New Orleans, a centre for the jazz scene, he lived until the age of 69, dying in 1971 from a second heart attack.  

(World-Telegram staff photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

Jackie Robinson

Jackie Robinson

Jackie Robinson, born in 1919, was a baseball player who became the first African American to play in the MLB. He started at first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947 and won Rookie of the Year. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962. 

Robinson went on to play in six World Series and was a key player in the Dodgers' 1955 World Series championship. The MLB retired his uniform number 42 across all major league teams in 1997—he was the first professional athlete in any sport to be so honored. 

(Osbrun, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

Mahatma Gandhi Laughing with Granddaughters

Mahatma Gandhi Laughing with Granddaughters

In this 1901 photo, you can see Mahatma Gandhi enjoying a laugh with his two granddaughters, Ava and Manu, at Birla House in New Delhi. Born in 1869, Gandhi is a world-renowned name, known as a political ethicist who used nonviolence to lead the way for India to become independent from British rule. 

Mohandas is his birth name—Mahatma is Sanskrit for "great-souled" or "venerable" and was given to him in 1914 in South Africa. He fought for civil rights, led campaigns against poverty, and built religious amity. He was imprisoned many times and for many years in South Africa and India. He was assassinated in 1948.

Bettmann/Bettmann/Getty Images

Marilyn Monroe in Korea

Marilyn Monroe in Korea

This is a picture taken in 1954 when Marilyn Monroe greeted troops during her Korea USO tour. She put on 10 shows for an estimated 100,000 servicemen. During this time, Monroe and Joe DiMaggio were actually on honeymoon in Japan. While he was attending baseball clinics, Monroe took the opportunity to support the troops.

One serviceman is quoted, saying, "I was with a group of Navy guys who happened to be at Daegu Air Force Base when we heard Marilyn would entertain there that night. We convinced our transport pilot to find something wrong with our R4D transport, so we could delay the return flight to our ship in Tokyo Bay for that one night."

(USMC Archives, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

The Hindenburg Crash

The Hindenburg Crash

The Hindenburg was an incredibly sad tragedy, but it was also a valuable learning lesson. It taught us that hydrogen shouldn’t be used to fuel aircrafts because any small charge could cause a disaster. This photo was taken in 1937 just as the blimp went down - a horrifying and fascinating scene.

You've probably seen plenty of photos of the Hindenburg crash before, but they've certainly all been in black and white. This colorized version breathes new life into the Hindenburg crash photo and really puts you in the scene. Could you imagine if you saw this in person? What would your reaction be?

Photo 12/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

Migrant Mother

Migrant Mother

This photograph was taken by Dorothea Lange in 1936, and it has become an iconic image. The purpose of the photo was to raise awareness of and provide aid to poor farmers during the Great Depression. The woman pictured here, Florence Owens Thompson, and her children are in a camp filled with field workers who are out of work due to the failure of their crops.

The photographer recalled her encounter with the mother years later, saying, "I saw and approached the hungry and desperate mother, as if drawn by a magnet. I do not remember how I explained my presence or my camera to her, but I do remember she asked me no questions."  The photo became a symbol of the plight of migrant farm workers during the Depression. 

(Original photo by Dorothea Lange. Colorized by John Boero., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln

This photograph, taken in 1860, shows Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth president of the United States of America. Before becoming president, he was a lawyer and statesman. Lincoln led the nation through the American Civil war and was successful in preserving the Union, abolishing slavery, bolstering the federal government, and modernizing the U.S. economy.

Lincoln managed his own re-election campaign. He wanted to heal the war-torn nation. While attending a play at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C., he was fatally shot by John Wilkes Booth. Lincoln is remembered as a national hero and as the greatest president in American history. 

Stock Montage/Archive Photos/Getty Images

Vietnam War

Vietnam War

This picture, titled "USO Show, Hill 10", shows soldiers enjoying a show in 1969. The Vietnam War was a very unpopular war, beginning with a conflict in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Officially fought between North Vietnam and South Vietnam, North Vietnam was supported by communist allies while South Vietnam was supported by anti-communist allies.

Lasting almost 20 years, U.S. involvement ended in 1973. The number of Vietnamese soldiers and civilians killed ranged from 966,000 to 3 million. During the course of the war, a large portion of the American population was opposed to U.S. involvement. By 1970, only a third of Americans believed the U.S. had not made a mistake by sending troops to fight in Vietnam.

(USMC Archives, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein is one of the most famous names in the world. Known as a genius, he was a theoretical physicist and, perhaps lesser known, a violinist. He was the mastermind behind the general theory of relativity. Born in 1879, we see a colorized photograph of him posing for the camera. 

Besides relativity, he also contributed to the development of the theory of quantum mechanics. His famous formula,  E = mchas been dubbed "the world's most famous equation". He received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921. Today, "Einstein" is synonymous with "genius".

(DonkeyHotey, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt

Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt

In this photograph, Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt poses for a picture in 1904. A man of multiple nicknames, he was also often referred to as T.R. He was a politician, soldier, conservationist, historian, and writer. Oh, and he was the 26th president of the U.S. He became a driving force for anti-trust and Progressive policies.

As a sickly child with horrible asthma, he overcame his health issues by living a strenuous lifestyle. He had a vast range of interests and had somewhat of a "cowboy" persona. After becoming president, he prioritized conservation and established national parks, forests, and monuments. He won the 1906 Nobel Peace Prize. He's noted as one of the greatest U.S. presidents. 

(socolorization, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

Mulberry Street

Mulberry Street

Pictured here is a view of Mulberry Street in New York City's Little Italy in 1900. The street has been listed on maps of the area since at least 1755. During the American Revolution, it was usually referred to as "Slaughterhouse Street" for the slaughterhouse of Nicholas Bayard. 

Mulberry Street was named after the mulberry trees that once lined Mulberry Bend. In 1896, newspaper reporters characterized the Mulberry neighborhood as "laborers", "artisans", and "junkmen". "Here are all sorts of stores, pensions, groceries, fruit emporiums, tailors, shoemakers, wine merchants, importers, musical instrument makers...There are notaries, lawyers, doctors, apothecaries, undertakers...". It was a bustling place!

(Library of Congress, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

Elvis Presley, Priscilla Presley And Lisa Marie

Elvis Presley, Priscilla Presley And Lisa Marie

You've probably seen this photo of the King and his family before, but have you ever seen it in color? The photo features the one and only Elvis Presley along with Priscilla Presley, and their daughter Lisa Marie. All of the family has had plenty of time in front of the spotlight.

Elvis Presley met the future Mrs. Priscilla Presley at a party in Germany in 1959. She was just 14 years old. They stayed in touch by phone until 1962 when she would come to visit him in Los Angeles and started a relationship. They would eventually move to Graceland together and married in 1967. Their child was born nine months later in 1968. They would separate in 1972 and finalize the divorce in 1973.

Bettmann/Bettmann/Getty Images

John, Jackie, and Caroline Kennedy

John, Jackie, and Caroline Kennedy

In this 1960 photograph, John F. Kennedy, Jacqueline Kennedy, and Caroline Kennedy all pose for a family photo. Often referred to as JFK, he was an American politician who became the 35th president of the U.S. He was also the youngest person to assume the presidency by election. 

He was a war hero turned politician. While serving as a senator, he published a book that won a Pulitzer Prize. He narrowly defeated his presidential opponent, using his humor, charm, and youth to assist in his campaign. He was assassinated in Dallas in 1963.

(Dell Publishing, 1960. Photograph by Jacques Lowe, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr.

Born in 1929, MLK was an American minister and activist. He is arguably one of the most prominent leaders in the civil rights movement. He advanced civil rights for people of color in the U.S. through nonviolence and civil disobedience. He led the resistance against Jim Crow laws.

In this 1963 photo, you can see him speaking in front of a crowd. He led marches, protests, boycotts, and movements. During the March on Washington, he delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech.  King was jailed multiple times. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. His assassination in 1968 led to national mourning and angry riots.

(Colors by Emijrp, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

British Soldier WWI

British Soldier WWI

This photograph shows British troops in the sand dunes at Dunkirk, 1940. Without telling the French, the British began planning for Operation Dynamo, the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Forces as the German troops advanced into mainland territory. Ships began gathering at Dover for the evacuation. The British Army started to evacuate unnecessary personnel. 

This was when the shortage of food and water was noticed, and chaos ensued among the soldiers. BEF was ordered to attack southward to reconnect with the remainder of the French forces. It was impossible to carry out, and both forces withdrew to Dunkirk as fast as possible. With the German army still advancing, the Allies barely had time to prepare defenses and prevent the Germans from stopping the retreat. 

(Cassowary Colorizations, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

Sigmund Freud

Sigmund Freud

This photograph was taken in 1921. Sigmund Freud, born in 1856, was an Austrian neurologist and the founder of psychoanalysis. He lived and worked in Vienna, where he ran his clinical practice. In 1938, he fled Austria to escape Nazi persecution. He died in exile in the United Kingdom the following year. 

Freud developed therapeutic techniques such as the use of free association. His redefinition of sexuality to include its infantile forms led him to formulate the Oedipus complex. He also developed a model of a psychic structure comprised of id, ego, and super-ego. He also postulated the existence of libido. 

(Photocolorization, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

French Soldiers During WWII

French Soldiers During WWII

Pictured here is a Free French infantryman, native of the Chad colony, who was awarded the Croix de Guerre. During WWII, Chad was the first French colony to rejoin the Allies in 1940 after the defeat of France by Germany. This photograph was taken in 1942.

Under the administration of Félix Éboué,  a military column and two battalions of Sara troops moved north from N'Djamena (then Fort Lamy) to engage Axis forces in Libya, where, in partnership with the British Army's Long Range Desert Group, they captured Kufra. A total amount of 15,000 Chad soldiers participated in World War II.

(Cassowary Colorizations, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

Buffalo Bill Cody

Buffalo Bill Cody

Buffalo Bill was also known as William Frederick Cody was one of the most famous figures of the west. He was a bison hunter, soldier, and most famously of all, a showman. Born in Iowa territory, he would serve in the Union from 1863 until the end of the Civil War in 1865. The nickname Buffalo Bill he earned was for his time as a supplier of buffalo meat to Kansas Pacific Railroad workers.

Buffalo Bill started working as a showman in 1872 with his stage debut being "The Scouts of the Prairie." The first show was a flop but it wouldn't be long before Buffalo Bill became world-famous thanks to his Buffalo Bill's Wild West touring show that traveled all around the United States, and in Europe at least eight times. He even performed for Queen Victoria. Nobody you know was alive to have seen any of his shows, so this colorized photo is as close as you can get.

adoc-photos/Corbis Historical/Getty Images

Charles Darwin

Charles Darwin

Charles Robert Darwin was born in 1809. He was an English naturalist, geologist, and biologist. He is widely known for being a key contributor to the understanding of evolutionary biology. He also proposed that all species of life descended from a common ancestor, an idea that is now generally accepted. 

Darwin has been described as one of the most influential figures in history. He published his theory of evolution in his 1859 book On the Origin of Species. He studied at Cambridge University and took a five-year voyage on the HMS Beagle, studying the geographical distribution of wildlife and fossils. 

(Julius Jääskeläinen, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

Titanic in the News

Titanic in the News

Before there was a blockbuster movie about it, and a few others before that, people had heard about the sinking of the Titanic from the newspaper. In this famous photograph, a newsboy stands on the corner with the famous headline about the sinking of the RMS Titanic, which occurred on April 15th, 1912. 

In the sinking of the Titanic, around 1,500 people were killed, although the exact number cannot be known. The ship was under the command of Captain Edward Smith who went down with the ship. But since Jack and Rose were not real people, they are not counted amongst the dead and this photo is mostly what we actually have from this moment in time.

(Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

Grigori Rasputin

Grigori Rasputin

Grigori Rasputin was a Russian mystic and self-proclaimed holy man. He befriended the Emporer of Russia, gaining considerable influence. He acted as a healer for the imperial couple's only son, who suffered from hemophilia. He was murdered by Prince Loussoupov in 1916. This photograph was taken in 1908. 

Rasputin was assassinated by noblemen who opposed his influence over their rulers. It is often suggested that Rasputin's reputation helped discredit the tsarist government and helped precipitate the overthrow of the Romanov dynasty. He remains a mysterious and captivating figure in popular culture. 

Apic/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Warsaw

Warsaw

In this rare Agfacolor photo (an invention from 1936) dated 1944, we see a scene from Warsaw, Poland, in the Old Town Market Place. This was during the fight of Poles against the German Nazis called the Warsaw Uprising. The photographer was a corporal in the Polish Home Army.

The uprising was timed to coincide with the retreat of the German forces from Poland ahead of the Soviet advance. However, the Germans were able to regroup and defeat the Polish resistance, destroying the city in retaliation. The Uprising was fought for 63 days with little outside support and was the single largest military effort taken by any European resistance movement during WWII. 

(Ewa Faryaszewska (1920-1944), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis

Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis

Singer, actor, comedian, and film producer Dean Martin and his friend actor, comedian, singer, film producer, director, and screenwriter Jerry Lewis. These two amazing actors formed a comedy duo that lasted for ten years. They first performed in nightclubs, and, due to incredible success, tried on the radio. 

Their greatest achievement, however, was branching out into TV and films. Martin's career arguably reached new heights after the team split up, as a recording artist for the Capitol and Reprise labels and as an actor in westerns like Rio Bravo. Lewis remained with Paramount Pictures, at one point becoming their biggest star. 

(Cassowary Colorizations, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

German Youth Member

German Youth Member

In this photograph, we see a member of H. Youth, age 13, captured by the U.S. Army near Nartinzell in 1945. As German casualties escalated with the combination of Operation Bagration and the Lviv-Sandomierz Operation in the east, and Operation Cobra in the west, members of the Hitlerjugend or H. Youth were recruited at ever younger ages. 

By 1945, the Volkssturm was commonly drafting 12-year-old Hitler Youth members into its ranks. During the Battle of Berlin, Axmann's German Youth formed a major part of the last line of German defense and were reportedly among the fiercest fighters. Although the city commander ordered Axmann to disband the young formations, the order was never carried out, and the youth brigade took heavy casualties from the advancing Russian forces; only two survived. 

(Cassowary Colorizations, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

U.S. Soldiers at Makin Atoll

U.S. Soldiers at Makin Atoll

The ruins of Rouen stood as haunting reminders of the devastation wrought by World War I in the aftermath of the conflict. Among the most poignant images captured during this time is the famous colorized photograph depicting a woman and children standing amidst the rubble of a building destroyed during the war in Rouen, France, 1919

In the photograph, the woman's stoic stance mirrors the resilience of the human spirit amid destruction, while the children, innocent yet surrounded by chaos, symbolize the innocence shattered by the ravages of war. The ruins of Rouen, once a thriving city, bore witness to the horrors of modern warfare, serving as a stark testament to the toll of conflict on civilian populations. Yet, amidst the desolation, the photograph also reflects a sense of hope and determination to rebuild and move forward, illustrating the strength and resilience of the human resolve in the face of adversity.

Archive Farms/Archive Photos/Getty Images

V8 Rationing

V8 Rationing

An American schoolboy using a War Ration Book to exchange a tin of V8. Rationing in the U.S. started with the British government encouraging the U.S. to do so. What first affected tire and car manufacturers, soon implied civilians with the creation of the first ration books. 

The "Sugar Book" was released in 1942, through schoolteachers, PTA groups, and volunteers. A national speed limit of 35 mph was imposed to save fuel and rubber for tires. Sugar was the first consumer commodity rationed, followed by bakeries, ice cream, and coffee. The black market grew exponentially utilizing the illegal sale of stamps. Eventually, all rationing ended in 1946.

(Cassowary Colorizations, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

Vintage Halloween

Vintage Halloween

Is it just me, or was Halloween a lot more authentically scary back in the day? The masks are completely unrealistic but add to the chilling effect. The costumes themselves are questionable, with what seems to be a clown, a witch, a baseball player, and a police officer—the other two look to have racist intentions, which wouldn't be surprising given the time.  

Could you imagine this group showing up at your house asking for candy? You definitely wouldn't want a trick from them. They look more like they're participating in The Purge than a past Halloween. Today's costumes are certainly more detailed and gruesome, but there's something about the simplicity of these costumes that evoke maximum creepiness. 

(Cassowary Colorizations, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth II

In this photograph, we see a formal portrait of Queen Elizabeth II in 1959. She is wearing the Vladimir Tiara, the Queen Victoria Jubilee Necklace, the blue Garter Riband, and the Badge, Garter Star, and the Royal Family Orders of King George V and King George VI. 

She is pictured here at 33 years old, seven years into her reign. She would go on to reign for 70 years until her death this past year. It was the longest of any British monarch's reign and the longest verified reign of any female sovereign in history. 

(Library and Archives Canada, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

Operation MED CAP

Operation MED CAP

In this picture, we see Second Lieutenant Kathleen M. Sullivan treating a Vietnamese child during Operation MED CAP, a U.S. Air Force civic action program. Through this program, a team of doctors, nurses, and aides travel to Vietnamese villages, treat the sick, and teach villagers the basics of sanitation and cleanliness. 

The mission was to get Western medical help to the villages while building bonds of trust between the civilian population and the American military. One medic recalls feeling both exhausted and exhilarated. "Doing good just feels good." By 1970, the effort treated an average of 150,000 to 225,000 outpatients per month. 

(National Archives at College Park, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

Royal Wedding

Royal Wedding

The Prince and Princess of Wales return to Buckingham Palace by carriage after their wedding. Diana wears a wedding dress by David and Elizabeth Emmanuel and the Spencer family tiara. The wedding took place on July 29, 1981. As we all know, it was not a happy ending for this royal couple. 

Prince Charles and Princess Diana shared a troubled marriage for 15 years before officially separating. It is said that both were unfaithful during their time together. They would divorce in 1996. A year after they divorced, Diana was killed in a car accident. 

Princess Diana Archive/Hulton Royals Collections/Getty Images