These Interesting Photos of History Will Help You See How Life Was Back Then

There are countless iconic historical images out there that most people are familiar with. For example, you’ve probably seen the soldiers who put up the flag in Iwo Jima in World War II, which is from Joe Rosenthal. Likewise, there’s the sailor who kissed the woman in Times Square from Alfred Eisenstadt.

These images resonate with us and have stood the test of time. However, those aren’t the only ones. Typically, photographs can give everyone a taste of the past. They might not be as famous, but they’ll probably fascinate you because they offer a glimpse into a world no longer around.

Titanic’s Staircase

Everyone knows that the Titanic ship sank, and there aren’t many photographs of it. However, the RMS Olympic had a similar one; it’s almost identical. Therefore, you can see what it would have looked like if it wasn’t on the bottom of the ocean floor.

The Survivor

Could you imagine surviving the Titanic sinking? One woman did, but that wasn’t all. She went on the RMS Olympic, which also sank. This woman lived both times. Violet Jessop was the nurse and stewardess and was there to offer assistance to those in need.

Norma Jean Dougherty

Did you know that Marilyn Monroe was a stage name? The woman’s real name was Norma Jean Dougherty, and this photo was taken at 17 years old during 1943. It’s likely the photographer had no idea that she’d become famous!

Young Johnny Carson

You probably know Johnny Carson because he hosted The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. In fact, he’s one of the best talk show hosts, and he held the job from 1962 to 1992. However, when this photo was taken, he was only 15!

Amelia Earhart

You likely remember Earhart as the aviation pioneer and the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean alone. She wanted to fly around the globe, but she disappeared with the navigator, Fred Noonan. Amelia was declared officially dead about 1.5 years after the disappearance.

Aqua Trail Houseboat in 1959

After WWII ended, consumerism ran rampant in the United States. Technology developed enough to mass-produce products, and new inventions were released. Aqua Trail Houseboat was one of them. The camping trailer could become a houseboat!

Jacob Miller – A Civil War Survivor

Jacob Miller fought in the Chickamauga battle in 1863, and things were well. However, he ended up getting hit with a musket’s ball right between the eyes. He didn’t die; though blinded, he lived to tell the tale back when modern medicine was a dream.

Clint Eastwood and Sammy Davis Jr.

The year 1959 was full of promise for many, and this photo shows Clint Eastwood and Sammy Davis Jr. together. They were marveling at a revolver at the Sands Hotel after Davis’ show. Eastwood wasn’t popular like he is now.

Posing for a Billboard Painting

You probably don’t think about the billboards you pass regularly, and things have changed. In the 1940s, painters created murals on them, and a live model often stood for the pose. Luckily, printers have replaced that dangerous job.

Young Bob Ross

Many people know Bob Ross because of The Joy of Painting, which is his art instruction television show. It ran between 1983 and 1994. It’s jarring to see him as a military master sergeant from the US Air Force since he was always calm and relaxed.

Tad and Abraham Lincoln

Most photographs we see of Abraham Lincoln are dignified and solemn in nature, but here, you see him with his son. Tad’s exaggerated pose might be the reason for the man’s smile. Lincoln got assassinated 10 weeks after the photograph was taken.

Glastonbury Hippies and Priests

The Glastonbury music festival is quite exciting and attracts all the young bohemians. However, in 1971, some young priests also attended the event to preach the word of Jesus to everyone present. That group contrast is so incredible!

Geisha with No Makeup in 1905

Geishas are the ones with all the white makeup on, but this photo is quite rare and offers a glimpse into the life of one not on stage. You can see her beautiful hair, which is down. It’s quite uncommon for something like this to be shown.

A Couple Near the Waterhen River

Paul Coze was the photographer who captured this amazing scene. The young couple were standing by the Waterhen River, which is in the Saskatchewan province in Canada. It was 1931 and stunning to imagine the backstory.

Marilyn Monroe as Theda Bara in 1958

Did you know that Marilyn Monroe was the woman in this photograph? She was still Norma Jean at the time and 17 years old and is unrecognizable. Here, she portrayed Theda Bara, which was also an actress who had a signature style.

Dinner Party at the Hotel Astor in 1904

If you went to New York City and were a wealthy elite, you stayed at the Hotel Astor. It cost a pretty penny to stay the night, and this photo was taken right after the hotel opened. You can see the women at the back.

Istvan Reiner

The 4-year-old boy was living in a Hungarian Jewish ghetto. Though smiling in the photo, Istvan was sent to the Auschwitz gas chambers in 1944. In fact, the photograph was taken shortly before the horrors took place.

Three Stooges and Yellowstone in 1969

Curly, Larry, and Moe (the Three Stooges) were a hilarious comedy group from 1922 through 1970. They entertained the world with slapstick humor. This photograph shows them in Yellowstone in 1969. A few weeks later, Larry had a stroke and had to retire.

Police Officer in a Flood

When a flood hit Ontario in 1974, most people wanted to take advantage of things. They looted all the shops, so the cops had to be called in. You can see Constable John Suttleworth as he guards a pharmacy against would-be thieves.

Baby Prince Harry and Princess Diana

Princess Diana was called “the people’s princess,” and everyone loved her. Though it was sad to hear of her passing, it’s rare to see such a loving moment. The photo shows her holding her son, Prince Harry, when he was a baby.

The Trendy Hairstyle in 1895

Style trends are always around, regardless of the historical point. This photograph shows a man with an eccentric beard and hair styling. It almost looks like a crescent moon. Do you think it will become stylish again soon?

Finally Reunited

The photo below shows a real look into the lives of everyone after World War II. You see a Russian soldier and his sisters. They believed he had been killed in the war, and he thought they’d been killed as he hadn’t heard anything. It’s amazing!

Mick Jagger and Dolly Parton

Dolly and Mick are two music industry legends, and you can see them here at the New York’s Bottom Line. This photo was taken in 1977, which is rare because she does country music, and he’s a rock star.

Young Don Knotts

Most people know Don Knotts through The Andy Griffith Show, where he played Barney Fife. However, before he became an actor, he was a ventriloquist. You can see him with his dummy, which he named Danny Hooch Matador.

Female Armenian Soldiers

Women were encouraged not to join the military or outright banned in the past. However, some armies did allow them to fight, such as the Armenian soldiers. The photo was taken in 1895 at the Hamidian Massacres battles.

Lisa Fonssagrives

Lisa was a Swedish photographer, dancer, and model and took the photo below while doing a Vogue photoshoot. She had few safety measures in place when she struck the pose, and her fearlessness reflects in the picture!

JFK in West Virginia – 1960

JFK knew that people in West Virginia wouldn’t be all too happy with him because of his Roman Catholic upbringing. Therefore, he went door-to-door during the Presidential race of 1960. He actually won the state for doing that.

Hopi Tribe Members in 1912

You can see the Hopi tribe girl in the photograph, which was taken in 1912. No one in the tribe can marry anyone outside of it, and she’s showing that she’s of marrying age with the hair and traditional clothing she wore.

Officer Clemmons and Mr. Rogers

Black Americans weren’t allowed in white-designated swimming pools in 1969, but Mr. Rogers wanted to change that. Therefore, he invited Officer Clemmons to his television pool to break the color barrier and show solidarity.

Harlem Grocer in 1937

This photograph shows a proud grocer standing in front of the store back in 1937. You can see the time period styling, such as illustrated advertisements, checkered tiles, and big block lettering. It’s all perfect!

Mirror Selfie of a Japanese Couple

You may believe that mirror selfies are a newer invention, but you’d be wrong. The adorable Japanese couple in the photo took their mirror selfie long before smartphone cameras were around. It was the 1920s, and they used an old camera!

Bobbi Gibb – Boston Marathon Runner

Bobbi Gibb challenged the world in 1966 when she became the first woman to run in the Boston Marathon. Initially, she was told she wasn’t physically capable, but she completed it in three hours, 21 minutes, and 40 seconds!

High School Photo of Sigourney Weaver

Here, you see the high school yearbook photograph of Sigourney Weaver. The caption begs God for her not to be normal, and she got her wish! Since she was in Hollywood films most of her life, it was definitely different!

Shirley Slade – Service Pilot

When the photo was taken, Shirley was 22 years old and was a WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilot). Though a civilian organization, these women trained pilots for various purposes to free up the male pilots who were needed in WWII.

Charles S. L. Baker and Assistant

Baker was an inventor and was actually known for the friction heater patent. You can see the heating radiator system from 1904. During that year, he started up a company and earned about $136,000. At that time, it was a hefty sum of money!

Hanukkah Menorah and Nazi Flag

Dr. Akiva Posner saw the Nazi flag on a public building and chose to put his menorah on the windowsill. His wife took the iconic photo, which is now being displayed in the Jerusalem Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum.

Milkman Delivering During the London Blitz

The milkman in this photo is showing the classic British mentality of “keep calm and continue on.” After the Blitz happened, he didn’t stop working and wanted everyone to get the milk they’d paid for.

Dutch Hippie and Daughter in 1968

This photograph shows a hippie and his young daughter in 1968’s Amsterdam. You can definitely see that the hippie style was very popular. The relaxed tops, flowing hair, and flared jeans check every box!

Woman from Luzon

The Philippines has many small islands, but Luzon is the most populous and largest. The photo was taken in 1875 and shows a beautiful woman posing for the camera in her traditional clothing.

KISS and Parents

KISS is a band full of members who like theatrical outfits and makeup. Here, you see them in 1976 posing with their parents. Though the parents might be conservative and a little put off, they were willing to be photographed with their kids!