Rare Photos From History You Haven’t Seen Before

The past holds so many cherished memories that are often lost with passing time. Looking back, it’s easy to forget about once-amazing things that simply made headlines, but were later lost amidst history. Moments that were still historic, nonetheless.

Can you imagine being friends with Albert Einstein? Local department store owner David Rothman didn’t have to! He practically rubbed elbows with the famed genius, even hanging out with him at the beach in 1939.

This image of a boy reading despite last night’s heavy bombing cannot be more powerful. Photographed in 1940, the young man continued to enjoy his book even after the London bookshop was destroyed. The United Kingdom fell victim to the German army during World War II.

As cliché as this may sound, it really is better to be safe than sorry. When the Granville–Paris Express was already running late in 1895, the driver decided to accelerate the train just to make it to the station in time. By doing so, the air brake failed and the train ended up crashing through a wall.

At first glance, this photograph looks like a normal scene. When it starts to register though, you would realize how the infants were taking a nap in the open air! The picture was taken outside a maternity hospital in Moscow in 1958.

No teenage girl should ever experience this, but when she was 17, Juliane Koepcke was sucked out of an airplane after it was struck by a lightning bolt. The horrifying event took place in 1971, and miraculously, Koepcke survived the crash.

Despite being at a seemingly fun event in 1925, the Duke of York did not seem too pleased in the image. This was most likely because he was neither a perfect nor a lucky monarch. The duke, later to be called King George VI, used to have a terrible stammer.

Whether the new dad was being too dramatic or genuinely astounded, you would have to agree that becoming parents to triplets is not a joke. Imagine, you won’t only be looking after one baby, but all three at the same time! This amusing photo was taken in 1946 in New York.

While Al Capone was a notorious crime boss, he appeared to have had a soft spot for those who were less fortunate than him. He built the Chicago based shelter and food bank during the Great Depression. The soup kitchen gave unemployed and hungry people a free and warm meal.

Keeping our houses has become easy with the help of home appliances. However, it had always not been easy, especially in the early 20th century. The first Siemens vacuum cleaner in Germany only became available in 1906.

Now, this is a dangerous activity that kids should never even consider trying at home. Only professionals like the men in this 19th-century photo can make trimming trees look like an easy job. In reality, though, they are putting their lives on the line.

Mildred Burke was only 18 years old when she was captivated by the world of wrestling. Legend says she convinced local wrestling promoter Billy Wolfe to train her by body-slamming one of his wrestlers.

A man’s best friend by day, a store owner’s security guard by night. That was how many dogs rolled back in 1954. Major shops like Macy’s in New York counted on these adorable pups to keep their merchandise safe. Owners slept without worries because they knew that the dogs would bark loudly if something happened.

We have learned a great deal about the Great Depression through our history classes and books. It was a devastating period for many in the workforce as the stock market crashed in 1929. So when we see a photo like this, we know that we can only imagine what Americans went through.

After waiting for the sun to set, Ernest Ashton successfully took this vintage photo in 1897. His breathtaking shot captured the amazing view of the pyramids and depicted the beauty of the Middle East. This was not a small feat though since he had to rely on his own skills.

Much like Anne Frank, this Jewish kid had a childhood far from normal during World War II. He was among the thousands of kids who had to sacrifice their days of innocence at a young age. This photograph captured in 1943 shows how terrified he was as they surrendered in the Warsaw neighborhood overpowered by the Nazis.

Another unfortunate event that went down in history was the fall of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in Washington. Just four months after it was completed in 1940, the suspension bridge collapsed due to high winds. One survivor named Leonard Coatsworth shared his experience with the Tacoma News Tribune.

On a normal day, students are usually the ones who pay lions and other animals a visit at the zoo. In this case, though, it was a cub named Kyla who attended a class with the children in 1956. She was taken care of by Stuart Hansen and his wife at home in Kansas City.

Many life-altering events took place during World War II. One of those was women being allowed to work in industries that initially discriminated against them. Here, a female employee of Lockheed worked on a P-38 Lightning in California in 1944.

Tragedy struck in 1997 when “one of the worst catastrophes in the world” took place in New Jersey. The LZ 129 Hindenburg was about to drift at the Naval Air Station when it suddenly caught fire. Unfortunately, thirty-six people died from the incident.

It’s already fascinating to find out that these two photos were taken 115 years apart, and even more so, to know that they feature the same Aldabra! Hatched in 1832, Jonathan is the world’s oldest tortoise. He was photographed first in 1902 and once again in 2017.

The Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary cemented its spot in history as a spectacular prison to remember. It was specially built for prisoners who brought problems in other facilities. Since it was strategically placed in the middle of the San Francisco Bay, the Alcatraz prison was considered escape-proof.

In case you needed more inspiration to make a mark in this world, here’s Robert Wadlow who was recorded as the tallest person in human history. He was born in Alton, Illinois, and was given the nicknames “The Alton Giant” and “Giant of Illinois.” He stood 8 feet and 11 inches tall and lived from 1918 to 1940.

This New York City traffic enforcer right here took his job seriously. He was not only at the disposal of human pedestrians but adorable animals too. Even though his only task was to manage traffic and assist foot-travelers, he made sure to go beyond it.

When a shoe shiner and a customer in Paris started their day in 1839, they probably had no idea that they would become a part of a historic event. You see, these two ended up as the first known people to be photographed. French artist Louis Daguerre made this happen through the first mirror-image photograph.

Steelworkers ought to take the stage for doing a dangerous job such as this one. The man in the photograph obviously did not have any fear of heights. While we salute brave steelworkers like him, photographers like the one who captured this also deserve some applause.

Do not underestimate this mere scooter. It was actually used as a military weapon. The Vespa 150 TAP was upgraded so it could carry an M20 75 mm recoilless rifle. Military men then had the chance to take down enemies in style through the hole created in the left shield.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has sat on the British throne for a long time now that it is easy to forget she was once a young lady, too. Back in 1940, she was just a 14-year-old girl known as Princess Elizabeth.

Just looking at this rare photo already sends chills down our spines. Imagine witnessing an aircraft crash in front of you! The poor boy was minding his own business on his farm when a pilot and an airplane falling down fast from the sky caught his attention.

Car enthusiasts and collectors could recognize a Bugatti in a heartbeat. This colorized photograph features the Bugatti Type 41 Royale Esders Roadster alongside Jean Bugatti in 1932. The young automotive designer was proudly showing off one of his father Ettore’s coolest works.

We have Walt Disney to thank for our awesome childhood filled with animated shows and movies. Once upon a time though, he was a starving artist and a struggling businessman. Disney, however, was already the cool and entertaining figure that we came to adore.

History buffs may recall how the Normandy landings, also known as D-Day, took place in 1944. There were a total of 156,000 American, British and Canadian troops that stormed the beaches of Normandy, France that day. The three military forces made up the largest seaborne invasion in history.

Bookworms and academics today would have never left this glorious library if it still existed today. The old public library located in Cincinnati stood strong from 1875 to 1955. Even Instagram users at present would have flocked to this place because of its spiral staircases, checkered marble floors, and a skylight that became its own natural filter.

Just when you think you have seen it all, this incredible image of an arctic explorer helping a polar bear turns up. He was with his fellow Russian soldiers out on patrol when he came across these animals in need. Braving the -40 Fahrenheit weather, he decided to offer his condensed milk to the polar bear parent.

Jimi Hendrix is best known as a legendary guitarist but he once trained as a paratrooper in the US army. In 1961, the future famous musician opted to join the military instead of serving time in prison for car theft.

One great salvation to emerge in America during the Great Depression was the Hoover Dam. Its five-year construction gave many unemployed Americans a way to finally earn at the time. By 1934, there were also 5,251 laborers involved in the project.

Believe it or not, there were people in the past who took the business of doughnuts to the next level. They went as far as documenting the size of the donut hole throughout the years. When you come to think about it, it makes sense that this became a priority.

Queen Elizabeth II’s grandfather King George V ruled over England from 1910 until his death in 1936. His reign centered on dealing with World War I and leading the nation at the same time. It was a challenging time most especially for his subjects. In this photograph, a poor chap tried to follow His Majesty by foot to beg for some change.

Forget horses and race cars. There are people who find much more thrill in riding a motorcycle. To these people, there is nothing more exhilarating than hitting the open road and letting the wind blow in your hair. The lady bikers in this photo were among those who enjoyed the company of a steel horse.

No matter how much couples try to make it work, there are just marriages that are beyond repair. The end result is heading for divorce, which is nothing new. If you find yourself in a similar situation, you might want to take notes on how to celebrate, just like this guy in 1934 who creatively hung a “Just Divorced” poster on his car.

One common job during the early 20th century was shoe shining. Young men with their boxes and rags would occupy every street and corner, waiting for a potential customer. Making shoes look as good as new was their way to earn a living.

Numerous advertisements in the 20th century played a role in setting gender roles and stereotypes. This ’60s ad alone had insinuated that women unquestionably loved doing housework. Therefore, it was the perfect gift for their female consumers. Today’s climate is different.

The Kimberly Diamond Mine began its operations in 1869. It became the diamond mining epicenter in the Northern Cape province. The miners had an unusual way of transportation down there. They rode an ‘aerial tram’ to descend the mine.

There is nothing quite like being behind the wheels of an extravagant ride. Steve McQueen was no stranger to driving fast cars since he owned a slew of them. The famous actor must have developed a fondness for them through his role in the 1968 film “Bullitt.”

What happened when the Prohibition took place in the United States? Many Americans naturally protested. They were being deprived of alcohol so they wanted their voices to be heard. From 1920 to 1933, the government banned the production, importation, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages.

If you have kept up with the media industry then you have probably heard of Barbara Walters. She was widely regarded as one of the top-tier journalists of the 20th century. Before climbing the ladder in the news world though, she was just a college student studying English at Sarah Lawrence College in New York.

Does this spine-tingling house look familiar? That’s because it was the inspiration for the classic 1999 film The Blair Witch Project. It’s totally understandable if you have never seen it because it is regarded as one of the scariest movies of the decade.

After everything that has already been said about Albert Einstein, it is about time we put his sense of fashion in the spotlight. As one of the smartest human beings to ever live, he basically got a free pass at his sartorial choices. He chose not to waste brainpower on his daily outfits but this pair of fuzzy slippers said otherwise.

Aside from photographers and steelworkers, painters also put their lives on the line when doing their job on top of skyscrapers. They don’t seem to mind the risks as long as they are able to improve the exterior of the structure such as the Woolworth Building in the picture.

Blonde beauty Marilyn Monroe has a lot of photos out there but this one’s quite unique since it was taken at her very own home. This photo, captured in 1951, is a sweet reminder that famous stars are still humans at the end of the day. Monroe’s breakthrough on the silver screen was through the 1950 film The Asphalt Jungle.

The Shoshone tribe were among those who lost their homes when the European-American settlers migrated to the United States in the late 19th century. Though they were displaced in Idaho and Wyoming, the Shoshone tribe still lent their hands to the US during the Battle of the Rosebud in 1878.

The ’70s was a remarkable decade for fashion as it introduced elaborate clothes and accessories as well as unique haircuts. Every job sector got the memo and employees dressed up in accordance with the trend. Look at, for example, these engineers who wore striped pants, wide ties, and chunky shoes to work.

As the master of terror, Alfred Hitchcock gave film fans the impression that he was a serious type. However, this photo captured in 1960 is proof that he was actually the opposite when the cameras were not rolling. The renowned filmmaker loved having fun with his grandkids.

This vintage photo, without a doubt, couldn’t be more iconic. Taken in 1975, it features Bob Hope, John Wayne, Ronald Reagan, Dean Martin, and Frank Sinatra. The star-studded group was in attendance for then California’s Governor Reagan’s coming-out party.

Some may consider bootleggers as the real heroes during Prohibition. After all, they were the ones that risked their freedom and lives to provide for those who badly wanted a drink. In order to throw the police off their scent as they produced their illegal liquor, these moonshiners came up with a strategy to hide their identity.

Did you enjoy watching “Peanuts” as a child? The animated show was on the air in the 1960s, with the beloved characters voiced by actual children themselves. Todd Barbee was one of the kid actors chosen by “Peanuts” creator Charles Schultz.

Europeans first came across the beautiful island country of Fiji during the 18th century. Located in Melanesia, Fiji entered into trade with Europe through sea cucumbers and sandalwood. They also have a vast amount of sugarcane.

Do you remember Socks the cat? He was the “first pet” of the White House in the ’90s. This purry fried adopted by then-Governor Bill Clinton stole the spotlight during the 1992 presidential race. Paparazzi would make the same effort just to get a photo of him.

How delightful is this woman sitting on the chairlift in Jackson, Wyoming in 1955? An upgrade compared to an ore bucket, this chairlift on Snow King was the first one to be installed in the state. It was done with the help of an Army pickup truck.

It would be hard – both for residents and tourists – to imagine the United Kingdom without its red telephone boxes. They have become a huge part of the nation’s identity all this time. Apparently, these iconic booths eventually retire and get sent to storage spaces in English small villages.

A well-respected abolitionist and political activist, Harriet Tubman escaped slavery from Maryland in 1849. She then dedicated her time and energy to free hundreds of more people from slavery and the plantation system.

Back in 1980, the Mount St. Helens in Washington erupted and caused destruction worth nearly $1.1 billion. The explosive event did not come much as a surprise since there were already a series of earthquakes two months before it happened.

Hailed as the Queen of Pop, Madonna attended college at the University of Michigan. She was not your average student. She took classes while also studying dance. The music legend decided to leave the uni life after two years and moved to New York City in 1978.

It’s no secret that flights can be a bit of a challenge when there are babies on board. They have the tendency to cause unwanted noise from their cries, that’s why they are the least favorite co-passenger of some. In the 1950s, the overhead cradle was used as a solution to this problem.

Born Theodore Geisel, Dr. Seuss spent his childhood in Springfield, Massachusetts with his family. His father worked in their brewery but they had to shut it down during the Prohibition. The young Dr. Seuss found himself at the local zoo when he wasn’t assisting his dad.