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Traveling back to the distant past isn’t possible and likely won’t be anytime soon. The closest thing we have to turning back the clock are vintage photographs that give us a glimpse of how life was back in the day. 

The “Historical Snapshots” Instagram account is one of the many excellent resources for these pictures. It’s an homage to those who’ve lived their lives without many of the luxuries and societal changes we get to enjoy and experience today. The concise profile bio sums it up nicely: “Honor people. Understand the past.” 

These are some of the standout images from the page. Enjoy today’s travel back in time!

#1

"Love Came To Me, And I Was Not Afraid To Marry The Man I Loved Because Of His Color." - Helen Pitts Douglass

Three historical figures seated around a table, capturing a moment from the past in a vintage photograph.

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JoNo
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6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And she's still gazing at him adoringly content with her decision.

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    #2

    Marine Sergeant Frank Praytor Feeds A Two Week Old Orphan Kitten

    Soldier in a trench caring for a kitten, showcasing historical empathy during wartime.

    Frank, a marine during the Korean War, found the kitten and named her Miss Hap because “she was born at the wrong place at the wrong time.”

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    Premislaus de Colo
    Community Member
    6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Absolutely had to chceck, and yes, there is a happy ending for both him and the kitten, although they went their separate ways

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    #3

    American Soldiers Pay Tribute To The Fallen Animals, 1918

    Crowd of soldiers forming an eagle shape on a field, capturing a moment to understand the past.

    Horses, mules and donkeys were used during WWI to transport ammunition and supplies to the front. They did so through the horrors of shellfire and appalling conditions. Eight million of them died during the war.

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    The invention of photography in 1839 changed the way people lived. All of a sudden, humans had the ability to capture a single moment through a still image and immortalize it for future generations. 

    As the Modern Museum of Art points out, photographs can help shape our understanding of different cultures, their history, and, most importantly, the people who appear in them.

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    #5

    Portrait Of A Woman And Baby, Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico In 1914

    A woman with a child wrapped in a traditional blanket, showcasing a historical moment.

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    #6

    Frances Green, Margaret (Peg) Kirchner, Ann Waldner And Blanche Osborn, Women Airforce Service Pilots During Wwii, Pictured Here As They Leave Their Airplane,

    Four female pilots in vintage flight jackets, standing in front of a historical aircraft, representing "Understand The Past."

    historicalsnapshots Report

    Since we’re on the topic of attention-grabbing vintage photographs, the iconic “Migrant Mother” is a stellar example. Taken in 1936 during the Great Depression, it features an impoverished woman in a pea-pickers camp in California, alongside her children hiding their faces. 

    It was such a moving photograph that it urged the federal government to send 20,000 pounds of food to the camp.

    #8

    Before She Became Famous As An Actress In All In The Family, Maude, And Golden Girls, Bea Arthur Worked As A Truck Driver And Typist In The United States Marine Corps Women's Reserve During Wwii

    Historical photo of a woman from the mid-20th century with curly hair standing against a height chart background.

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    Helena
    Community Member
    6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    An entire life of kicking your axx and your preconceived notions. I will never be this cool

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    Man on the Moon” is another well-known snapshot that captures one of the most significant human accomplishments in history. It’s a photograph of astronaut Buzz Aldrin’s first steps on the moon’s surface by the great Neil Armstrong. 

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    This 1969 picture shows the lone Aldrin standing with the vast expanse of space as his backdrop. Unfortunately, this photo doesn’t deter today’s skeptics who doubt that the event ever happened.

    The 1945 flag-raising photo on Iwo Jima will always be legendary, especially for military veterans, historians, and loyal Americans. Photographed by Joe Rosenthal, it shows a group of US Marines planting the American flag on top of Mount Suribachi to mark its capture and signify America’s victory in World War II. 

    Despite doubts about its authenticity, the picture never fails to spark feelings of patriotism, especially among those who served during the war. 

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    #14

    Edward Bouchet Became The First African American To Earn A Phd In The U.S. When He Completed His Dissertation In Physics At Yale In 1876

    Historical photo of a man in a suit, illustrating a moment from the past.

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    We’d also like to hear from you, readers. Which of these photos stood out to you the most? How do they make you feel? Let us know in the comments below!

    #16

    Portrait Of Selika Lazevski, Believed To Be A Horsewoman Who Rode At Nouveau Cirque In Paris

    Victorian-era woman in a top hat and fitted dress holding a cane, exemplifying historical fashion.

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    #20

    Portrait Of Billie Holiday And Her Dog Mister, NYC, Circa 1947

    Woman with flowers in hair and a dog, exemplifying historical fashion and companionship, capturing a moment to understand the past.

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    Estelle
    Community Member
    6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have never seen this image before. Such a beautiful photo of Ms. Holiday. Gorgeous pittie too!

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    #21

    Elizabeth L. Gardner Of Rockford, Illinois, A Wasp (Women's Airforce Service Pilot) Pilot, Circa 1940s

    Smiling woman in vintage aircraft cockpit, showcasing historical aviation moments.

    historicalsnapshots Report

    #22

    Roger Williams University In Nashville, Tennessee, 1899

    Historical photo featuring seven well-dressed individuals from the past, showcasing fashion and expressions of their era.

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    Lauren Wilder
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The land this school sat on is now Vanderbilt University. On the night of January 24, 1905, at ten o'clock, a mysterious fire destroyed Centennial Hall. The school reopened, but on May 22, 1905, another fire of unknown origin leveled Mansion House. The American Baptist Home Mission Society closed Roger Williams University and subsequently sold part of the land to realtors and the rest to George Peabody College for Teachers by 1911. Realtors subdivided the land for resale, with covenants on the deeds that restricted sale to any "person of African descent."

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    #23

    Sergeant Karen Hermiston, Or “Hermie” As People Called Her, Was Courageous And Determined, Earning A Place In Canadian History As The Only Official Female Photographer For The Armed Forces To Work Amidst Combat During World War II

    Woman in vintage attire holding a camera in a historical photo, standing in a field.

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    #24

    Portrait Of Flora Stewart. She Was Said To Be Vivacious With A “Remarkably Retentive Memory.”

    Elderly woman in historical attire holding a cane, embodying an incredible historical moment from the past.

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    #25

    Portrait Of The Fisk University Class Of 1888

    Group of five people in formal 19th-century attire, posing in a vintage setting, exemplifying "understand the past."

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    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Incredible for the time and especially incredible for this being in the southern United States.

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    #27

    Portrait Of Lillian, Cora And Luvenia Ward. Taken In Worcester, Massachusetts, Circa 1900

    Three children in vintage dresses sit on a bench, capturing a moment to understand the past.

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    #31

    “Jitterbugging On A Saturday Evening,” Mississippi, 1939

    People dancing joyfully in a historical photo, capturing a lively moment from the past.

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    #33

    Iron Thunder, Crow Eagle, Fool Thunder, Slow White Buffalo, All Holding Peace Pipes, Dakota, Circa 1880s

    Four Native American individuals in traditional attire, exemplifying historical heritage and culture, seated in a studio setting.

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    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is a good looking group of men, but the fellow in the front is extra fine. Just my humble opinion. ;-)

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    #34

    Portrait Of A Young Girl And Child. Japan, Circa 1908

    Young girl carrying a sleeping child on her back, embodying a moment to understand the past.

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    #37

    Five Year Old Warren Bernard Runs Out Of His Mother's Grasp To His Father, A Soldier From New Westminster, Canada Who Was Going To Fight For Canada In Wwii

    A child reaches for a soldier in a historical photo capturing a military parade, highlighting a moment to understand the past.

    historicalsnapshots Report

    #38

    Portrait Of A Family. Manzanar Relocation Center, 1943

    Family sitting at a table in a historical setting, capturing a moment from the past.

    Portrait of a family. Manzanar Relocation Center, 1943 Report

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    Bernd Herbert
    Community Member
    6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If someone still doesn't know, Manzanar was one of ten concentration camps in the US were Japanese Americans were incarcerated during WWII. What a shame.

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    #39

    A Spinner And Her Spinning Wheel. County Galway, Ireland, Circa 1890

    Elderly woman using a spinning wheel, showcasing historical textile crafting.

    historicalsnapshots Report

    #40

    Portrait Of A Union Army Soldier From The U.S. Civil War And His Family, Circa 1864

    Historical family portrait, likely 19th century, showcasing a man in uniform, woman, and two children.

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    UKGrandad
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The black regiments very quickly gained a reputation as being among the fiercest fighters in the war. The Confederate soldiers loathed and feared them in equal measure.

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    #41

    Portrait Of Cotton Mill Workers In Georgia, U.S., 1909

    Three young girls in historical attire, embodying early 20th-century life.

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    John Dilligaf
    Community Member
    6 days ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    that woman in the middle looks like she's lost all her f*cks and is about to give someone a beatdown

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    #43

    Women Making Fun Of Sign At Beach Requiring Full Bathing Suits. Miami, Florida, 1934

    Women at the beach near a sign requiring full bathing suits, highlighting historical dress codes.

    historicalsnapshots Report

    #47

    Photographer Frances Benjamin Johnston In An 1896 Self-Portrait Of A "New Woman," Taken In Her Washington, Dc Studio

    Woman in vintage clothing, holding a cigarette, seated by a fireplace with historical photos above.

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    #48

    Florence Was Thirty-Two Years Old, A Mother Of Seven Children, Living In Nipomo, California With Her Children And Partner, Jim Hill, 1936

    A mother and her children during the Great Depression, capturing a poignant moment to understand the past.

    "I worked in hospitals. I tended bar. I cooked. I worked in the fields. I done a little bit of everything to make a living for my kids."

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    Kelly Scott
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She wasn't actually a dustbowl refugee, though, like everyone thinks.

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    #51

    Portrait Of An Inupiat Family From Noatak, Alaska. Circa 1929

    Portrait Of An Inupiat Family From Noatak, Alaska. Circa 1929

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    #52

    Women In Chicago Being Arrested For Wearing One Piece Bathing Suits Without The Required Leg Coverings, 1922

    Women In Chicago Being Arrested For Wearing One Piece Bathing Suits Without The Required Leg Coverings, 1922

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    #53

    Portrait Of Iron White Man, A Sioux Native American, Circa 1900

    Portrait Of Iron White Man, A Sioux Native American, Circa 1900

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    Marnie
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've seen quite a few photos of older Native American men, but almost none (maybe zero) of older Native American women. It might just be what people are choosing to post online. Or, it could be far fewer photos were taken. Either way, it's weird.

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    #54

    Portrait Of A Girl From The Jicarilla Apache Nation, Circa 1905

    Portrait Of A Girl From The Jicarilla Apache Nation, Circa 1905

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    #55

    The World Knew Him As "Blind Tom" Wiggins, A Musical Prodigy, One Of The Best-Known American Performing Pianists Of The 19th Century

    The World Knew Him As "Blind Tom" Wiggins, A Musical Prodigy, One Of The Best-Known American Performing Pianists Of The 19th Century

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    #58

    Wedding Rings Of Concentration Camp Victims. They Were Found Near Buchenwald By U.S. Army Soldiers In 1945

    Wedding Rings Of Concentration Camp Victims. They Were Found Near Buchenwald By U.S. Army Soldiers In 1945

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    Cara Vinson
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My grandpa was a liberator of Buchenwald. He had nightmares the rest of his life, and he lived a long time.

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    #59

    Portrait Of Kikisoblu, Also Known As Princess Angeline. Born Sometime In The 1820s, Kikisoblu Was The Daughter Of Chief Seattle Of The Duwamish Tribe

    Portrait Of Kikisoblu, Also Known As Princess Angeline. Born Sometime In The 1820s, Kikisoblu Was The Daughter Of Chief Seattle Of The Duwamish Tribe

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    Pyla
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The Duwamish river is basically the industrial alleyway of the puget sound, althought it's getting restored a bit

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    #60

    Josie, Six Years Old, Bertha, Six Years Old, And Sophie, 10 Years Old. All Shuckers At Maggioni Canning Co. Location: Port Royal, South Carolina. Circa 1911

    Josie, Six Years Old, Bertha, Six Years Old, And Sophie, 10 Years Old. All Shuckers At Maggioni Canning Co. Location: Port Royal, South Carolina. Circa 1911

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    #64

    Riding A New Tricycle, 1882. Photo By Chas. W Oldrieve

    Riding A New Tricycle, 1882. Photo By Chas. W Oldrieve

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    Janissary35680
    Community Member
    Premium
    6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Tricycle designed for a steampunk version of Mad Max, "Before the Thunderdome".

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    #65

    Elvin Harley Of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Of The 3rd Armored Division, Gets A Peck On The Cheek From A French Girl While Listening To The 9th Armored Division Band Near Aboncourt, France. February 14, 1945

    Elvin Harley Of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Of The 3rd Armored Division, Gets A Peck On The Cheek From A French Girl While Listening To The 9th Armored Division Band Near Aboncourt, France. February 14, 1945

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    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I had boots exactly like those worn by the soldier when I was a little girl.

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    #66

    Black Otter, An Arapahoe Native American

    Black Otter, An Arapahoe Native American

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    #67

    A Snapshot Of Life From Denver, 1907

    A Snapshot Of Life From Denver, 1907

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    LakotaWolf (she/her)
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I see people who are people just the same as everyone else, regardless of pigmentation levels, out enjoying a bike ride :) May we all remember that human beings are human beings no matter how much melanin you do or don't have, or what shape your eyes are, or what your cultural background is. We are all humans, and we all have hopes and dreams. We all laugh at funny jokes. We all have favorite colors, flowers, animals, and books. In other words, we are all one species despite our differences <3

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    #68

    A Few Miss Europe Candidates, 1930

    A Few Miss Europe Candidates, 1930

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    G A
    Community Member
    6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Girl on the left you could see walking down a street today. She has a bit of a goth look.

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    #69

    Tattoo Artist Maud Wagner, U.S., 1907

    Tattoo Artist Maud Wagner, U.S., 1907

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    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Lydia, oh Lydia, say have you met Lydia, oh Lydia the queen of tattoos!

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    #70

    Portrait Of John Smith, A Chippewa Native American. He Was Also Known As Gaa-Binagwiiyaas, Amongst Other Names

    Portrait Of John Smith, A Chippewa Native American. He Was Also Known As Gaa-Binagwiiyaas, Amongst Other Names

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    #71

    Jewish People From Subcarpathian Rus Await Selection At Auschwitz-Birkenau, May 1944

    Jewish People From Subcarpathian Rus Await Selection At Auschwitz-Birkenau, May 1944

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    Bernd Herbert
    Community Member
    6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    F*****g Nazis. And still people here in Germany want to relativize that. And it's getting worse.

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    #72

    Portrait Of Angeline Perkins With Her Children, Nellie And William. Worcester, Massachusetts, Circa 1900

    Portrait Of Angeline Perkins With Her Children, Nellie And William. Worcester, Massachusetts, Circa 1900

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    Tabitha
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Angeline looks like a child herself, and probably could have been, given the time and place.

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    #76

    A Snapshot Of Life From Washington Dc, Circa 1920

    A Snapshot Of Life From Washington Dc, Circa 1920

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    #81

    Portrait Of A Family, Beaufort, South Carolina, 1862

    Portrait Of A Family, Beaufort, South Carolina, 1862

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    DEW
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The man sitting down looks like has had his pants for his entire adult life. They look to have been mended time and time again.

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    #84

    Charlie Chaplin And Helen Keller On The Set Of Chaplin's Film "Sunnyside", 1919

    Charlie Chaplin And Helen Keller On The Set Of Chaplin's Film "Sunnyside", 1919

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    DEW
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've always been fascinated by Helen Keller. Back in my school days I did a book report about her. Due to book reports I was fascinated Helen Keller, Abraham Lincoln, and King Henry the 8th. He kept 1 of his wives in the London tower so every time I see it or it's mentioned I think of his wife waiting for her execution. I believe it was Anne Boleyn his second wife. I learned that King Henry is in the vault in St. Georges Chapel Windsor UK when Prince Philip passed away. I want to go in every room of the Palace and just look and I want to look at the Royal jewelery. I don't want photos I just want to see and hear about the history of the Palace.

    #86

    Taking A Selfie, NYC, 1920

    Taking A Selfie, NYC, 1920

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    DEW
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Where's the selfie stick? I love to see these kinds of photos. It's so funny to me that their were selfies and electric cars in the 1900's plus and we are doing it again in the 2000's give or take and we are repeating it like it's new in today's world.

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    #87

    Portrait Of Charlie Chaplin, Circa 1920

    Portrait Of Charlie Chaplin, Circa 1920

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    DEW
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I want to say that there were very pretty, gorgeous, and handsome people with fantastic skin back in the early 1900's. I think Chaplin looks like Prince William. To me they could be twins.

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    #89

    Hans Langseth, A Norwegian-American, Holds The Record For Longest Beard In History. His Beard Measured 17 Ft 6 In At The Time Of His Death In Wyndmere, North Dakota

    Hans Langseth, A Norwegian-American, Holds The Record For Longest Beard In History. His Beard Measured 17 Ft 6 In At The Time Of His Death In Wyndmere, North Dakota

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    #90

    Italian Immigrants Arrive At Ellis Island, 1905

    Italian Immigrants Arrive At Ellis Island, 1905

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