The best way to maintain memories is through taking photos. This is particularly the case when the memories in question are rare historical occurrences that will probably never be witnessed again in the same glory. Photos serve as evidence that people in proceeding generations can capitalize upon to obtain critical information of the past.
This article will present you with a long list of rare historical photos that we are confident you won’t find anywhere else. On top of photos of some of the most outstanding architecture of all time, we also present you with images of people and scenarios involving scientific inventions.
Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, is one of the most impressive structures ever made by man. Anyone who has had the opportunity of visiting this tower will tell you that it is not your standard skyscraper with regular lifts and conventional architecture. Instead, the Eiffel Tower is a product of careful thought and planning coupled with an extremely high sense of accuracy.
Its construction began on July 1, 1887, and ended on April 15, 1889. This photo was taken in 1988 when its construction was still in progress. The first floor had just been completed. The next picture is one you might have seen before.
A Young Boy Seeing His Dad Leaving
This picture was taken by the photographer Claude Dettloff at the beginning of World War II. The title of the photograph is “Wait for me, Daddy”. It pictures soldiers leaving for World War II, and a young boy reaching for his father amongst them.
It is a very emotional picture, because it shows the human side of the war. Indeed, it must have been really hard for the families to be separated and to see the men leaving for war. This is also the reason why this photograph got so famous: The emotional side was very touching for the public.
League of German Girls
The so-called League of German Girls was an organization that was created in 1930. This program was created by the national socialist party of Germany.
The organization was created as an educational programm for girls in age of 14 to 18. It should teach them valuable skills during the hour they were not at school. The activities that were offered were such as: camping, summer camps, tradition, sports. It was an instrument of propaganda supposed to teach girls how to later become good mothers, wives and housewives.
The organization was dissolved in 1945, with the end of the national socialist party and of World War II.
“Lunchtime Atop a Skyscraper”
This is one of the rarest and most historic photographs of the GE Building, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, ever since its construction. The photographer, Charles C. Ebbets, managed to capture this impressive photograph during one of the captivating moments that depicted this magnificent structure’s root development.
Few people can even dream of standing a safe distance from the edge of an 840-feet tall building. However, the construction workers depicted in this photograph had no problem eating their lunch from this height and even going as far as smoking cigarettes while sitting on a metal bar. This photograph was taken on September 20, 1932 when the 69th floor had been completed.
Young Robin Williams
Film: Happy Days
If you are reading this then you have the rare opportunity of viewing Robin Williams when he was still at the developmental stage of his acting career. If you are well versed with his shows then you must know just how much seeing him as a young boy is a tremendous privilege.
The photograph was taken by Daniel Sorine, a professional photographer in Central Park, 1974. It depicts young Robin Williams and another unidentified individual posing as mimes. Sorine didn’t know that one of the mimes would grow to become one of the most successful and famous actor and comedian in the United States.
Elephant on Board!
If you a big fan of the circus, then you must surely know the Ringling Brothers Circus. At present, it is defunct but back then, it used to be one of the most entertaining spots in the country. Part of the success they enjoyed emanated from their reputation of sparing no expense in entertaining people. They went out of their way.
You can take for instance, this picture captured in April 1963 in the Bronx. A full-grown elephant can be seen getting off a train with its trunk curled to the side. The child’s expression in the middle foreground is a clear indication that the circus is about to begin.
The Unorthodox Entertainer
Film: The Detective (1968)
Celebrities have always had a way of bringing attention to them even when we list expect it. They could be performing something, as usual, such as taking a stroll down the park or just carrying a bag of groceries from their favourite spot and still manage to capture a lot of attention.
Things were not any different with famed singer and actor Frank Sinatra. In this photograph taken in 1964, Sinatra can be seen descending a helicopter with a drink in hand. The catch here is that Frank was labelled a functional alcoholic by medical professionals. He drank at least one bottle of whisky each day and still managed to be fully operational.
Stardust Casino and Hotel
This photograph is one of the most comprehensive historical images of the Las Vegas strip. It was captured in 1968. The Las Vegas strip is impressive even from this black and white photograph but the point of interest here is the Stardust Casino and Hotel.
After its completion the Stardust was recognized as the largest hotel and casino in Las Vegas covering a whopping 16 000 square feet and the number of hotel rooms totalling 1000. This structure was famed for being a significant money-maker for the American mafia to the point that it inspired a Hollywood film titled “Casino.”
Even Presidents Like to Play
John F. Kennedy is one of the most loved presidents of all times, if not the most loved one. From his family’s history to his charm and glory, the man was meant to be a president. As the leader of the free world and the most critical leader in the entire world, one would expect that such an individual would rarely ever have the time and energy to play.
John F. Kennedy somehow managed to get off his busy schedule as president and clown around with his eldest child, Caroline, in this photograph taken in 1962. This picture shows a very kind side of this person.
The Great New York Blizzard of 1947
Winter in New York can be pretty cruel especially when the storm decides to act up a little. Nothing beats. Typically, winters tend to blanket the atmosphere and make it look like we are living in a light shade of cotton wool only. At some point, everybody gets used to it, even visitors.
So what then is the big deal with the Great New York Blizzard of 1947? This storm began at 3:20 am, and by the time it was sunrise, the ground was three inches beneath the snow. By the time it hit the 24th hour, the snow was 25.8 inches deep.
The Notorious Carol Wayne
For most Americans, The Tonight Show is a must-watch no matter where you are or what situation you find yourself in at the moment. The hosts are usually carefully handpicked from a long list of some of the best MCs and entertainers in the country.
Even more interesting than the hosts are the guests. If you need to know A-List members in the American entertainment industry, collect a compilation of guest appearances at this show, and you’ll be sorted. One such individual is Carol Wayne. Unlike other entertainers she solely made her career by making numerous appearances on The Tonight Show and allowing herself to be the subject of Johnny Carson’s inappropriate innuendos and jokes.
You Can’t Help but Notice Her
Some of the most successful people in the Hollywood entertainment scene started their careers while still young. An excellent example of this is Merlyn Monroe. Nowadays, it takes a combination of beauty, brains, and passion for succeeding in Hollywood.
Back then, things were a bit different. This was particularly the case for Beauty Pageants. All that was needed of contestants was beauty and the ability to demonstrate it effectively on the runaway. This was not a problem for actress Joan Bradshaw who, at just 17, was already killing it with her looks and walking style. She would grow up to become an iconic pinup girl. In 1953 she won the title of Miss Texas USA.
A Long Line of Classics
Most people dream of owning a car, and some even go to the extent of specifying the kind of cars they would like to own. In most of these conversations, classics always lead the way. Few things can beat the satisfaction and pride of owning a classic.
But even classics come in different shapes and standards, which is why some are better than others. In modern times the sight of a vintage car can bring so much excitement especially when the manufacturer is well renowned. This is precisely why this photograph is very iconic. It features a long line of Chevrolet’s Bel Air and Impala, which was introduced in 1958 when this photograph was taken.
Howard Hughes
Howard Hughes is one of the most important pioneers in aeronautics. He started as a businessman and then developed a passion for airplanes which he maintained until his passing. Nowadays we don’t hear much about airplane racing because we have numerous planes some which racing against them will be completely useless. This sport was however, highly enjoyed in the early 1900s.
In this photograph, Howard Hughes can be seen posing with his H.1 racer airplane in 1935. He set a new world record for land planes after landing at a speed of 352.388 miles per hour. The next picture on our list show something that was once revolutionary.
The Mother of all McDonald’s
If you live in the United States and have never eaten anything from McDonald’s, you miss out on the authentic American culture. McDonald’s is the representative of America’s restaurant and fast food culture. The fast food chain set the standards for Americans regarding what they should consider as good fast food.
Now try imagining yourself eating in the very first McDonald’s ever to exist. The best thing about it is that you will get to munch on the same burgers that people in 1953 were treated to. This photograph of the first McDonald’s is as iconic as the restaurant itself.
The Capitol Building
Not many people have seen the iconic Capitol building at its core when it was still under construction. Everyone would agree that the Capitol indeed looks astonishing in its white paint and majestic structure. But you are probably not aware that beneath this majestic structure are several piles of iron.
This photograph taken in 1959 depicts the process of restoration to the US Capitol’s dome. All the white colour is gone in this image and the building looks like it just got finished the other day. It is possible to observe a rust-proofing substance at the top. This was installed before giving the building a new paint.
“The Blitz”
World War II was one of the worst periods in the history of humankind. The west was at war with itself and no one wanted to back down. Germany was highly motivated to win the war and emerge as the world’s superpowers but the United States and England would not hear any of it.
Provocations made on each end resulted in a tremendous loss of life.
Germany would constantly bomb England, notwithstanding that some chosen sites, such as London, were full of innocent residents. This picture depicts a situation labeled as “The Blitz” where Londoners were forced to shelter in subway stations to avoid the bombings by V1 and V2 flying rockets.
“Halfway to Hell”
The construction of the Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most iconic and captivating moments in American history. Not just any construction worker found themselves working on the Golden Gate Bridge. The few who agreed to work on the bride had to demonstrate a blend of heightened bravery, dedication, and passion for their work. This is because the chance of one falling off into the water was relatively high.
For this reason, the construction workers featured in this photograph worked above a net suspended over the water to avoid any fatalities in case someone fell. It was taken in 1935 when the bridge was halfway done.
It Felt Just Like the Fourth of July
On August 14, 1945 Japan announced that it had surrendered, which automatically meant World War II had come to an end. Few people were happier and merrier than Americans when the news of Japanese surrender was portrayed on the majestic Times Tower zipper sign.
What followed were a series of celebrations in New York City to a mark the end of World War II. In this image, some of the city’s residents can be seen sitting on littered streets with remnants of the celebrations. The extent of these celebrations can only be compared to those of July 4. But we cannot imagine the joy all these persons felt at that moment.
Dagen H
In most countries road users are customarily required to drive on the right-hand side of the road. This is recognized as the unwritten international law of traffic. Before September 3, 1967 Sweden did not comply with this law. Traffic laws in the country stated that drivers should drive on the left-hand side of the road.
On September 3, 1967 however, Sweden decided to change its traffic laws which also meant changing the driving direction. Drivers were now supposed to adhere to the right-hand side of the road. This photograph perfectly captured the first day of the provision of this law. As it could have been expected there was so much confusion and chaos.
The Man in Black
Johnny Cash was a famous figure back in the 1960s, both for good and for wrong reasons. His first half was an iconic singer who amazed huge crowds with his voice and ability to manipulate the guitar to give him whichever sound he desired. However, his other half was a low-key drug dealer who traded in heroin, sedatives, and amphetamines.
This mug shot photo was taken in 1965 in a Texas holding facility after Johnny Cash was arrested for drug smuggling. Upon returning from a music tour in Mexico US narcotics agents raided his plane and uncovered several kilos of sedatives and amphetamines hidden beneath his guitar case.
The Opera House
From an aerial view the Opera House doesn’t look like much. You need to pay the place an actual on-site visit to appreciate the technicality and sophistication involved in constructing this impressive structure.
This photograph taken in 1966 shows an aerial view of the Opera House when it was still under construction. It took 16 years to complete its construction, and its final budget exceeded the initial one 15 times over.
Australians were not so happy about this, but we guess they are not as mad now as they were then due to the tremendous amount of revenue that the Opera House has garnered in tourist visits since its completion.
Suspended Painters on the Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge is just as iconic as this photograph taken in 1914. The photograph was taken by Eugene de Salignac at the time when he was working in the Department of Plant and Structures. The angle of the photograph is a perfect demonstration of the fact that Salignac was indeed a talented photographer who people failed to notice.
During his 28 years serving as an employee in the Department of Plant and Structures, he took numerous photos of city improvements and construction projects. The one of painters suspended on the Brooklyn Bridge is recognized as his best capture, ultimately earning him an honor 65 years after his passing. His photographs were presented in the form of an artistic show.
The Pioneers of The Brand New Subway System of New York City, 1904
It’s impossible to think of New York without its legendary subway system. This is essentially a track that covers 91 miles and connects 28 different stations. If you have ever been to New York, you must have wondered why traffic isn’t as heavy as it probably should be. The answer is simple, the subway system! But, what is so normal for us now, was once a brand new and unusual thing.
In this photograph taken on October 27, 1904, the then-mayor of New York City, McClellan, can be seen driving the first passengers in the subway after its opening at 2:35 pm. Each of these passengers paid ¢5.
The Hindenburg Crush
Balloon travel was a relatively new concept back in the 1900s and this explains why there was so much excitement after the launch of the first balloons passenger balloons. Anyone who had not witnessed the wonders that the late 20th century and 21st century brought in terms of scientific inventions was definitely going to be amazed by the idea of people flying around in a balloon filled with air.
Shortly after going up for its maiden voyage the balloon came crushing down in a dramatic fashion when a fire started as a result of a spark accidentally igniting the hydrogen that filled that filled the balloon. There were a total of 24 fatalities.
Who Would Have a Gas-Resistant Pram Would Become a Basic Need!
In the 1930s everyone in England was fearful of the possibility of an attack from Germany. War was an imminent possibility and everyone wanted to be prepared for the worse. Radio stations were filled with news about how the Germans were good at planning war and executing their missions.
The fear in the minds of Britons compelled some of them to take extreme precautions as is evidenced in this photograph taken in 1938. A woman can be seen walking around with a gas resistant stroller complete with a gas mask. It’s a wonder that she could even afford that at a time when people were stacking up food in case war erupted.
You are Safe with Me!
No one really enjoys talking about or even viewing photographs of the carnage and suffering that was left behind about the two world wars. But in order for us to learn from our mistakes and to capitalize on past occurrences to make more informed decisions in the present and future we need history and especially the one presented in photograph form.
In this photograph for instance a small girl can be seen holding a doll while seating on the wreckage of what was once her home. This photograph was taken after the London air strikes perpetrated by Germany in the course of WWII.
Animal Therapy
Animals are the second most important creations after humans. They are cute, intelligent, and some of them can even evolve to become friends to humans. Just imagine having a bad day at work and coming back home to find that your dog or cat has been waiting to jump on you and give you a nice fluffy hug. That will surely erase all your stress and give you peace even if it’s for just a few minutes.
This is the same working principle behind animal therapy. In this photograph, a small girl is laid next to a trough containing swimming ducks to raise her moods and her get her mind off her illness.
The Berlin Wall at the Preliminary Stages
In the 1960s East Germany was famed for maintaining a socialist regime which ensured that it remained more productive and progressive in contrast to West Germany. In order to prevent the Western ‘fascists’ from infiltrating the socialist way of life construction of the Berlin wall was proposed.
This photograph which was taken in 1961 effectively captured the preliminary stages of the construction of the Berlin wall. At the time it was barely the height of a fully grown man. This wall would proceed to become the subject of many debates pertaining to the Germans’ choice of economic and political doctrines even after it was demolished.
War is Hell
You have probably heard this phrase countless times or even used it yourself on several occasions both verbally and in written. Thing is some people got the unfortunate experience of having to live through this phrase in a very literal sense.
The Vietnam War was just as bad as any other war that American soldiers have ever been engulfed in. In this photograph taken during the Vietnam War in 1965 depicts a soldier with piercing eyes and a helmet that has the words “war is hell” written on it. The image has been shared millions of times on the internet.
Knowledge is Power
The London Air raid of 1940 led to a massive loss of property and life. Some of the most historic and iconic architectures were reduced to scrabbles by German fighter rockets. London was essentially at the brink of total destruction. German missiles seemed to have a particular preference for London.
Even amidst these destructions and suffering some people still managed to be optimistic and hopeful of a better life. Such is the case of the young boy pictured in this photograph. He can be seen comfortably reading some of the materials that were once housed by a bookstore that is lying in ruins after the air raid of 1940.
Martin Luther King Tending to his Yard
There aren’t so many pictures of Martin Luther not wearing his iconic suits and nicely polished shoes. He particularly had a preference for black shoes and black suits. This, coupled with his well-trimmed short hair gave him the look of a gentleman and scholar that could be relied upon to make decisions and spearhead movements that will affect millions of American lives.
Here we see him in his front yard getting rid of the charred remains of a burnt cross. His son can be seen standing right beside him only that his attention seems to be directed towards something else. The photograph was taken in 1960.
Only White People Can Swim Here!
By 1964 one would expect that the United States had gotten over racism and that everyone was ready and willing to see each other as normal American citizens irrespective of differences in skin color. This was not the case for a section of white Americans who still believed that African Americans were an inferior race and needed to be punished.
All you need to do in order to believe this is to take a look at this photograph taken in 1964. Here a hotel owner can be seen pouring acid into a swimming pool where two African American women were relaxing.
Shush! Sleeping Babies on Board
War can bring so much sorrow, especially with the loss of life and destruction of property. But even as war progresses, people still find an urge to satisfy their needs and try as much as possible to live normal lives, even if it’s just for a little while.
American soldiers were not an exception to this rule of nature. They too needed to interact with members of the opposite sex and form meaningful relationships. The result of this can be seen in this beautiful photograph captured in 1975 depicting sleeping babies on board an airplane on their way to the US. These babies were orphaned during the Vietnam War.
Spoons are Godsend!
Asians are very loyal when it comes to their traditional way of life. They would simply never compromise on values and traditions that have been around since the time of their forefathers. One of these constitutes eating with chopsticks.
The Chinese believe that using sharp utensils such as folks and knives will remind their users of the gruesome process that led to the preparation of the meat. Chopsticks, on the other hand, are dull hence they spare their users of gruesome images of the slaughterhouse. They can however present challenges while eating if you are not used to them, as Richard Nixon came to realize in 1972 on a diplomatic trip to China.
“Roosevelt Blvd”
WWII was messier than WWI in every proportion. This was attributed to the rise of Nazi Germany under the leadership of Adolf Hitler. Hitler was both a strategist who managed to convince hundreds of thousands of German soldiers to fight for his will.
In this photograph, we are presented with the image of a gleeful American soldier who removed a street sign bearing the name Adolf Hitler and replaced it with one written Roosevelt Blvd. The photograph was taken in 1945 after the end of WWII. We can all agree that a street sign bearing the name Roosevelt is far much better than one with the name Adolf Hitler.
“In the Conservatory”
Apart from being the compelling force behind the murders of millions of people some of them Germans, Hitler was a lover of everything luxury. He was to known to have a keen eye for fine art and would collect as much as he could. A man in his position obviously did not need to legally acquire every art that impressed him. He simply had to use his political power and influence to forcefully acquire it.
Such was the case with the Manet’s “In the Conservatory. “This image features the men that were responsible for recovering this priceless artwork from one of Hitler’s hidden collections.
James Zwerg
James Zwerg was a civil rights activist and a member of the Riders group. The Riders were a group 13 black and white riders who organized freedom rides that were aimed at promoting equality in the United States. They particularly accentuated their focus on the South, where they would ride out and challenge the white only restaurants and lunch counters.
Here, James Zwerg can be seen lying down with his face deformed. One of the buses they were travelling in was ambushed and attacked in Anniston, Alabama, and it so happened that Zwerg was the only white member of the Riders in that bus. He was beaten by furious white crowds.
London Bombings
Here we can see the image of the sky after the series of bombings that took place in London. British warplanes were attempting to wade off German planes which had entered the London airspace with the intent of causing destruction to the city. This culminated in intense bombings between the two forces, thereby turning the initially clear sky into a mixture of dark and white smoke.
The photograph was taken with the camera tilted a few inches from the clock tower. It was as if the photographer wanted to create the impression that London’s symbolic architecture will remain despite the destruction brought about by the war.
Ham the Astrochimp
Ham the Astrochimp is by far the most widely travelled monkey on the planet. He even beats more than 99 percent of humans when it comes to unique location travel. In 1961 NASA created a test that was meant at establishing whether living beings could survive in space.
For this reason they sent a humanoid in form of a monkey into space. The monkey was at the time labelled “Ham.” After his successful return back on earth he became known as Ham the Astrochimp. This photograph presents Ham holding a newspaper with news of his successful return posted on the frontline cover.
Home Sweet Home
Soldiers are at times captured by hostile groups and imprisoned as retribution for the loss they have inflicted on enemy forces. Such soldiers are usually labelled as Prisoners of War. In most cases they never return but in other cases they do return especially if the differences between the fighting groups are resolved and it is agreed that there is no need to keep prisoners of war anymore.
Such is the case with Lt. Col Robert Stirm who released from a Vietnamese prison where he was held for six years. The photograph features his reunion with his family. The next photograph shows a huge animal…
A Manta Ray in Flesh and Flood
You are probably thinking that this is a photo shop of a huge fish. If that’s the case, then you are very wrong. You can begin by looking at the quality of the picture. It is obvious that this is a very old photograph, one that was taken before the knowledge of photo shops even came into existence.
The fish is indeed a Manta Ray in flesh and blood that was captured by Captain Al Kahn. We are not sure what the fish did, but it was given the nickname ‘Devil Fish.’ It weighed over 5, 000 pounds and was more than 20 feet wide.