40 Fascinating Stories Told by Rare Historical Photos
Iconic moments happen every day in the world, although most of the time, we are all too busy looking at our screens to notice them! Throughout the ages, people have been fortunate enough to capture some of the most defining moments in history, as well as just random things which one would look back at and smile. You don’t need a college degree to capture awesome moments in life, as proven by these snaps. Let’s hope some of the people involved in them had good health insurance, though, as quite often, capturing iconic moments means sitting very close to danger!
Man Sitting on a Submarine, Date Unknown
We hope this guy had some good health insurance because we’re pretty sure most wouldn’t cover him for acts as reckless as this! Nobody knows who the man is, or why he is sitting on top of a submarine. What we do know though is that it looks like one hell of a way to get the adrenaline pumping through your body! What’s worse is that the submarine actually appears to be moving! That’s crazy, but we guess you’d have to be, to even try and sit on top of a submarine in the middle of the ocean.
The First Moon Photo, 1969
There are very few moments that will ever be more iconic and memorable than the moon landing of 1969. The photo above was taken by famed astronaut Neil Armstrong and it was the very first photograph ever taken on the surface of the moon. We wonder if one day we’ll be able to adopt technology so that a private jet could make the trip! Even if that happens, we doubt everyday folk will be able to afford it, at least not at first. Perhaps it will be something to do once, like going to Bali for one’s honeymoon.
First Known Selfie, 1900s
Despite what the younger generations might tell you these days, they didn’t, in fact, invent the selfie. Just take a look at the photo above. Nobody knows who the woman was and clearly, technology has evolved a long way from the camera in her hand, but there is no shadow of a doubt she is taking a selfie. It is regarded as probably the first one ever taken, and as it was the 1900s nobody can really contest that. Do we wonder if she trained with a personal trainer for a few weeks before taking the snap? You know, just to look her best in a time before Instagram filters.
USS Gerald Ford, 2017
Construction of the USS Gerald Ford began all the way back in 2005, which means it took 12 years until it started getting put through its paces out at sea. This photo depicts the vessel being tested before being officially commissioned for duty. If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s true that there is a lot of money in war, then all you need to do is look at the USS Gerald Ford, which costs around $13 billion to make, plus around $4 or $5 billion in research and development. Even a small fraction of that could have done wonders if it went towards providing health insurance for Americans with mental health issues and perhaps prevented a couple of mass shootings along the way.
Neil Armstrong’s Breakfast, 1969
The diet of an astronaut is usually very strict and needs to be checked and monitored for health and weight purposes. However, we think we can let Neil Armstrong off as he indulges in his last meal on earth, for a while. This photo shows him enjoying breakfast before leaving the planet and heading to the moon. He was probably trying to add a few pounds on before the inevitable weight loss that occurs from eating space food. Still, it must have felt almost like a condemned man’s last meal, considering he was about to go where no man had gone before…
Rare Photo of Kim Jong Un on Horseback, Date Unknown
Kim Jong Un is the North Korean leader, and although not much is known about him (or his dictatorship in North Korea), it’s quite clear that the Western world isn’t that much of a fan. In a rare moment for us, this photo emerged of the ruler, horse-riding around army training grounds. He doesn’t look like the kind of man who would launch nuclear weapons against the US and start a war with only one outcome, does he? As nobody can really say anything bad about him, it’s hard to judge whether his mental health has deteriorated to such a level that he would think nuclear war is a solution to anything – but if death is his only other option, he just might do it.
Jamie Lee Curtis Routine in Perfect, 1985
Perfect is a movie that came out in 1985 and follows the story of John Travolta as he gets romantically involved with Jamie Lee Curtis. The film was pretty bad but there was one scene which became an overnight sensation. It involves Jamie Lee Curtis wearing a rather revealing and skimpy outfit while demonstrating an insane aerobics routine. If she was our personal trainer we’re not sure if we’d have been distracted by the outfit or the intense and, at points ridiculous, routine she performed. Either way, the scene is iconic in its own right and should be checked out – even if only to see the garish fashion sense of an ’80s gym!
Original U.S.S. Enterprise Model, 1965
Is there a treatment for being a huge Star Trek geek? Even if there is, we don’t want treatment. We don’t want anything but that beautiful ship, the U.S.S Enterprise. The photo, reportedly the first-ever of the model, was taken back in 1965. If we had been involved in the creation of that model, we’d be incredibly proud. Do we wonder if it was ever auctioned off for charity? If not, perhaps the powers that be should consider it as we think it would raise a lot of money. Many collectors would be willing to pay top dollar to have this piece of Star Trek (and cinema in general) history.
Hitler and Hanna Reitsch, 1937
At one point in time, Adolph Hitler was considered a revolutionary figure. A character who rose to power due to the tumultuous time that followed the Great War. Fast-forward a few years and his nightmarish reign ends in fire, destruction, and the death of millions. In the photo, we see Hitler and his friend Hanna Reitsch sharing a drink. She was a highly skilled pilot and would regularly test out the new aircraft developed for the Nazis. If they were any closer you might think a divorce attorney would be called in soon, since Eva Brown was actually the woman he married, even if this happened shortly before his death.
Paris Floods, 1910
You’d never think it possible today and if there wasn’t photographic proof like the above image then you’d probably never believe it. But back in 1910, a fierce and wet winter caused the city of Paris to flood. It was so bad that people had to use rowing boats in order to get around the City of Light! Reports suggest that water levels rose more than eight meters above normal, which is just absolutely crazy. We hope all those affected had health insurance, as we imagine more than a few people would have had to pay a visit to the hospital.
USS Shaw Explosion, 1941
Moving on to a more horrific moment in history, this photo captures the tragic moment the USS Shaw exploded, during the vicious attack on Pearl Harbor. The offensive took place on December 7th, 1941 and not much was documented as it happened (understandably so given the circumstances). You’ve probably watched the movie Pearl Harbor, which gives an excellent (if a bit too imaginative) account of what happened, especially if you gloss over the love triangle forced upon you mid-way through the movie. The desire for revenge for this sneak-attack led to the inhuman treatment many Japanese POWs received throughout the war by enraged American soldiers.
XB-70 Valkyrie Prototype, The ’60s
There was once a program called the B-70 program, which saw the development and production of a deep-penetration, nuclear-armed strategic bomber. The USAF battled hard for it to be mass-produced but unfortunately, enemy technology caught up and the cons far outweighed the pros of development. The project was scrapped and the one remaining prototype can be found in the National Museum of the United States Air Force. It’s as close to giving it to charity as we’ll likely see.
SAS Airlines Uniform Check, Date Unknown
We’re pretty sure the employees of the Scandinavian Airlines must have endured a grueling regime with a personal trainer because they simply look stunning. The uniform is figure-hugging and highlights desirable features, which helps with the illusion of the glamorous side of flying. In the photo we have one employee checking the length of another employee’s skirt. The uniform is provided by the airline but even so, checks need to be made. We can’t see the full length but we have a feeling it might be a little on the short side. No wonder so many people enjoyed flying with them!
Abraham Lincoln’s First Portrait, 1840
Everyone knows Abraham Lincoln. If you’re from America, you’ve no doubt had history lessons talking all about him. If you’re from elsewhere in the world then you’ve probably learned that he used to be a vampire hunter alongside his personal trainer, or at least that’s what the movies would have you believe. Truth be told, he was a visionary who changed the world and this photo is allegedly the earliest one ever taken of the former President. We don’t know much about it but experts estimate it was taken around 1840.
Worst Parking Skills, 2001
We like to think that flying is safe, in fact, experts would have you believe you are much safer traveling in a can in the sky than you are driving a car. Hmm…we’re not sure if we trust that claim but it certainly isn’t the case for this Boeing 747-368, which took a wrong turn in Kuala Lumpur. We’re not sure if the pilot had just taken a college degree in something other than how to pilot a plane, but as the plane was taxiing away from a maintenance area, due to a fault, the controls ceased up and the plane inevitably ended up in a ditch at the airport. The nose of the plane suffered a lot of damage but luckily no passengers were on board.
Cologne High Wire Walker, 1946
There are many photos that show the devastation wrought by WW2 and this photo depicts it perfectly. It was taken in Cologne in 1946 and you can clearly see the destruction of the city in the background. If you pay attention to the foreground, though, you’ll see a tight-rope walker effortlessly and elegantly walking high above the rubble. One might question her mental health for willingly walking along a very slim rope at dangerous heights, but nobody can take away the serene contrast the photo has of both destruction and beauty emerging through the darkness.
Soldier’s Thousand Yard Stare, 1944
Everybody knows how traumatic war can be for people but it would be impossible for anyone to really empathize unless they had experienced it themselves. Take this photo of an American Marine, Theodore James Miller. Without a single word, you can sense the chilling memories that will forever be etched into his mind. He had just endured two full days of intense, brutal combat at the Battle of Eniwetok when the photo was taken in 1944 and you can tell he has seen things. Soldiers are often underappreciated and their mental health deteriorates when they return home. Photos like this can be a lesson to us all.
The Real Avengers, Date Unknown
You might be thinking that Marvel and their Avengers didn’t take to the streets during World War II, and you’d be right. But this rag-tag group of men and women weren’t fictional characters but they did call themselves The Avengers. They were Jewish assassins who, after the war was over, made it their job to track down and eliminate Nazi officers who had tried to escape or hide. They didn’t need a college degree. They didn’t need permission. All they needed was the thirst for revenge and a skill set that enabled them to carry out their task. We like to think justice was served.
Stalin With His Children, 1935
Ther then-leader of the Soviet Union is pictured here alongside two of his children. Joseph Stalin was said to be a manipulative man who couldn’t be trusted. He was ruthless, blood-thirsty and responsible for the death of millions of people. Could you blame his mental health or was he born a murderer? Truth be told he was once nothing more than an alcoholic and his mom wanted him to become a priest. We guess he decided he’d rather send people to god rather than work on his behalf. In the picture, though, he seems like an ordinary father, nothing hinting to the beast within.
The Native & The Transcontinental Railroad, 1868
The Transcontinental Railroad changed and revolutionized the US and it was truly an achievement for the history books. The photo shows a Native American man, probably pondering how his land had changed and how the big metal track in front of him would further transform his world. It was taken in Nevada in 1868 and is a real testament to a world now forgotten. Considering the treatment of both the land and the Native Americans by the U.S., we wouldn’t be surprised if the man in the photo did not feel all that optimistic about the bright future that the government promised.
The Destruction of Pearl Harbor, 1941
The devastating attack on Pearl Harbor shook the world to its very core and has become one of those tragedies which live on through the ages. The attack, which took place in 1941, cost so many lives and started the war with Japan. In this photo, we can see the wreckage that remained in the aftermath of the terror. We can’t even imagine what would be going through one’s mind if they were there, witnessing the pain and screams of men trapped beneath the water or in burning wreckage. It must have haunted their dreams and affected their mental health for the rest of their lives.
Picturesque Grand Central Station, 1929
The Grand Central Terminal in New York is an iconic location and this photo shows it off in all of its glory. It was taken in 1929 and the rays from the sun illuminate it majestically and transform it into an otherworldly location. It’s a sad tale though, as that sun never shines through the terminal anymore due to the ever-increasing high rises and skyscrapers that surround the area. It doesn’t take someone with a college degree to realize how much the world seems to be changing in such a short period of time.
Louis Armstrong in Egypt, The ’50s
There’s no question that Louis Armstrong was one of the most talented musicians to ever walk the earth, mastering jazz and developing it into a real and respected art form. In the photo above we can see Louis playing his trumpet in front of the wonder that is the Great Sphinx of Giza. You can also see an Egyptian man enjoying the treatment to his ears as he snaps a photo. It was taken in the ’50s and artfully captures a moment in time that would have been etched into the memories of anyone witnessing it.
Hitler Declares War on the US, 1941
Out of all the photos on this list, this one is perhaps one of the most important, bearing the most repercussions of almost any other moment that was captured. That’s because it depicts Adolf Hitler declaring war against the USA. Originally the photo was in black and white having been taken in 1941 but Mads Madsen has since colorized it. Amazingly, the picture is actually of a positive moment, as it marks a turning point in the war. With America entering the conflict on the side of the allies, Germany began to slowly but surely go into retreat. It would also aggravate Hitler’s mental health issues, as the specter of defeat started weighing him down.
Statue of Liberty, 1870s
The Statue of Liberty has become an icon in its own right, an attraction for tourists and an image closely associated with America. It’s ironic that the monument was a gift from France – a random act of charity. The exact date of the photo isn’t known, but as construction started around 1875, we can safely assume it was somewhere around that time. In the photo, you can see construction workers go about as they work on the 93-meter-tall statue. Do we wonder what kind of health insurance they would have needed to work on such a job?
Jackie Chan in Hollywood, 1996
Jackie Chan might not be in as many movies these days as we would like, but then the star is aging. He’s one of the biggest talents to emerge out of China and is renowned for doing his own stunts in every single movie he is in – and we love him even more for it. Every flip, punch and jump you have ever seen him do, is done by him and him alone. In this photo from 1996, you can see Jackie Chan preparing to take on the challenge of climbing up the famed Hollywood sign. Yeah, we think he is one star who definitely didn’t need to work with a personal trainer before doing fight scenes.
Franz Ferdinand, 1914
Franz Ferdinand was the Archduke of Austria and was the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne. While visiting Sarajevo in Bosnia, he was assassinated in 1914 in a moment that would change the course of history. His death was the spark that set off World War I, as countries maneuvered into strategic positions to capitalize on his death or to avenge it. A defining moment in time. The photo above has been colorized (as originally it was in black and white) and depicts the royal prince looking stern and powerful. Maybe a term in his health insurance policy was that in the event of his death, the world must fight for control, or maybe the stars were right for the madness of WW1.
Soldiers in Ypres, 1917
1917 saw the death of thousands upon thousands of soldiers as World War I entered its penultimate year. The battle of Ypres in Belgium was a monumental one, which saw troops advance a lowly 5 miles over the course of 3 months, suffering devastating casualties in the process. You can look at this photo and either focus on the soldiers crossing the track in the Chateau Wood, or you could let your eyes wander slightly to the background to witness the devastation as bombs have utterly destroyed what was once a flourishing woodland. Any witnesses to that brutal bombardment likely had to undergo years of therapy to repair the damage done to their mental health. It’s no surprise PTSD was first observed in World War 1 veterans, though they called it “shell shock”.
British Soldier Football Team, 1916
If there’s one thing which you can never stop, it’s a game of soccer. The account of the Germans and the British ceasing hostilities and spending Christmas exchanging gifts and playing ball is truly one of the most iconic moments that occurred during the war. Even in all of that devastation, soldiers once again became fellow men. The photo above isn’t of that occasion but it does show how much the British love soccer. It was taken sometime in 1916 and shows a group of soldiers wearing gas masks, preparing to play a game of soccer during World War II. We can’t argue with their commitment, even if their mental health could be questioned.
Coal Miners, 1911
Kids today complain that they don’t have the latest iPhone or video game and feel they are hard-done-by when they are asked to do chores around the house. If they took a trip back in time to 1911, they’d have found themselves put to work regardless of their young age. The photo above depicts a group of boys as they prepare to enter the coal mines. You could either look at them and hope they have good health insurance, or you could argue that it’s quite heart-breaking as these kids are subjected to work long hours in the dangerous pits of the mines. Although we’d like to think that this kind of exploitation is long gone, it merely moved to develop countries, where many corporations now manufacture their products.
Malcolm X & Muhammad Ali
Malcolm X was regarded as one of the most influential people during the ’60s, as he started a movement against discrimination towards African-Americans. He was also hated by various groups, though, as the government accused him of inciting racial hatred and violence. In this photo, you can see famed boxer Muhammad Ali having some fun with Malcolm X after his victorious fight against Sonny Liston. The treatment of the black community is something that makes media headlines even today and it probably won’t be long until we see another Malcolm X trying to make a change.
Fidel Castro, 1972
Fidel Castro was a revolutionary politician from Cuba who ruled the country from 1959 all the way to 2008. He is pictured here in 1972 playing basketball in Poland. Despite being loved in his own country – or allegedly so anyway, throughout America he was considered a brutal dictator, a tyrant who gave his people the worse kind of treatment. Given how long his time in charge of the country was, this point could be debated. Whatever the case, Fidel was a man who definitely secured his place in the history books.
The Romanovs, 1913
Tsar Nicholas II was once the feared ruler of Russia but as his reign went on, respect for him was lost and he soon became thought of as weak and incompetent. His decisions during WWI saw Russia lose an estimated 3.3 million people, a devastatingly high number. It was due to these heavy losses that many believe his empire began to crumble. In 1917 he was relieved of his crown, setting in motion events which led Russia to become the country it is today. This photo, taken in 1913, shows Nicholas with his daughters and his wife before their lifestyle came falling down. The treatment of the tsar and his family by the Bolsheviks was brutal and they were all executed in 1918.
Soldiers in WWII, Date Unknown
WWII caused massive devastation, as countries lost millions of people through violence, famine, and disease. It was a bleak time that seldom saw anything positive or lighthearted which is probably why this photo stands out so much. In it, we can see two American soldiers showing off some crude humor. It’s refreshing to see something happy during such sad times and just goes to show that no matter what kind of hell one goes through, humor is one of the best and often the only way to maintain one’s mental health.