Old photos have a magical way of transporting us to another time, making history feel oddly personal and vivid. Historic pictures serve as windows into the past, revealing glimpses of everyday life from long ago. The Instagram account @ilovehistory115 is dedicated to reviving vintage snapshots, bringing old-time charm into our feed. Today Pandas, we’ve compiled some of their best photos that might give you a daily dose of history with a side of nostalgia.
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Mississippi's First Interracial Couple- August 3, 1970
Fred Rogers Performing A "Bedside Solo Show" For 7-Year Old Beth Usher During Her Coma After Undergoing Surgery For "Rasmussen’s Encephalitis" At The John Hopkins Childrens' Hospital In Baltimore, Maryland, 1987
I found a nice story on this one. It’s worth a quick read! https://www.brainandlife.org/the-magazine/online-exclusives/speak-uphow-mister-rogers-saved-my-life/
1969: Margaret Hamilton Next To The Navigation Software She And Her Team At Mit Wrote For The Apollo Program
The saying that a picture is worth a thousand words certainly stands true when it comes to historical photos. They encapsulate entire eras, offering us a glimpse into the lives, emotions, and experiences of people who lived long before us.
Every one of these images, whether it's an ancient snapshot of a packed theater for a play in 1910 or a portrait of two best friends, has a backstory that can enlighten, uplift, and stir thinking.
Serbian Soldier Sleeps With His Father Who Came To Visit Him On The Front Line Near Belgrade, 1914/1915
I am stunned each time I see this photo that this elderly man would come to the front lines to see his boy. So much love!
WWII Veteran Dean Mccandless From The 505 Pir Of The 82nd Airborne Division. He Made All Four Combat Jumps (Sicily, Italy, Normandy, And The Netherlands)
Family Portrait After W-W-1
These images serve as powerful reminders of our collective past, helping us to understand the world as it was and how it has evolved. Instagram pages like ilovehistory115 offer us a tangible link to history that books alone might not provide.
Sometimes, such photos also play a crucial role in preserving and transmitting cultural identity. For many families, old photographs are cherished heirlooms, passed down through generations as visual records of their ancestors. These images help people connect with their heritage, reminding them of where they come from and the values that have been passed down through the years.
Woman Cutting Her Birthday Cake In Iran, 1973
Animal Therapy, 1956
A Soldier Shares His Food With Two Dutch Kids, 1945
On a larger scale, photos of historical events or cultural milestones help to preserve the identity of entire communities or nations. For instance, images of the iconic celebration in Times Square on V-J Day in 1945, when the end of World War II was announced, capture a moment of collective joy and relief. These photos immortalize a time when the world came together to celebrate peace and victory.
The Old Cincinnati Library Before Being Demolished, 1874-1955
An American Soldier Wears A Hand Lettered “War Is Hell” Slogan On His Helmet, Vietnam, 1965
The "Hasanlu Lovers" Died Around 800 B.c. And Were Discovered In 1972. They Died In What Seems To Be An Embrace Or Kiss, And Remained That Way For 2800 Years
but wait, I thought you only became gay if you read it in books/s
Load More Replies...They were buried in an embrace. They didn't die that way, unless being discovered that way explains the skull on the right. That might be possible, but it sure wasn't because anybody in 800 BC thought they were offending Jesus or Muhammed.
No they couldn't. Homosexuality wasn't actually a sin in the Bible until the 1900's. We're the trashy pieces of sh*t 😂
Load More Replies...Both male. One was 19-22, the other 30-35. There are no signs of injury at the time of death, possibly died from asphyxiation. Given the ages, I think them being brothers or possibly even father and son (19 and 35) is equally likely
It is also a possibility that they were lovers because in Ancient Greece (I know this isn’t from Greece, but Ancient Greece did exist at around the same time I believe), it wasn’t uncommon for male lovers to have quite a large age gap by modern standards. That being said, they could very well be family
Load More Replies...Doesn't mean they were lovers, you can't tell that by the bones. Could have been a variety of reasons they're in the position they are. People are stupid
About the "both Male" thing. Who cares. You know in many countries you still see ladies holding hands when they are out shopping or just a walk, men have their arms around each other and no one thinks a thing about it. In the states, with our insane puritan outlook on things we have lost touch with the totally natural need to touch and be touched. Good Grief, even in the group, Image #3 shows a father laying next to his adult son, if you took them down to skeletons, it could look like a lovers embrace or could it be more like a comforting embrace. Kind of depends on your state of mind doesn't it.
Also they didn't necessarily die in that position, they may have been laid that way at their burial. Edit: it seems they weren't buried but left where they fell after an invasion: from wikipedia - The two human skeletons were found together in a bin during excavations, seemingly embracing at the time of death,[3] with no other objects except a stone slab under the head of one skeleton. They died together around 800 BCE, during the last destruction of the Hasanlu.[3] Approximately 246 skeletons were found at the site altogether.[4] How the lovers died and ended up in the bin is still under speculation but both skeletons lack evidence of injury near the time of death and possibly died of asphyxiation.[5] They were exhibited at the Penn Museum from 1974 until the mid-1980s.
A lot of posters here need banning for life. Bored Panda is not a place for bigots.
It's called freedom of speech Madster. Just because you don't like it doesn't mean it needs to be banned.
Load More Replies...Could they have been buried that way? To honor the love they had for each other?
Why is it assumed they were lovers? Is there a back story? Because they embraced or kissed doesn't necessarily mean a gay relationship. Men in countries like Iran, Saudi, Egypt Algeria etc hold hands, kiss each other.
I didn’t say this earlier, but if they were killed bc of who they loved, that kiss was their last act of defiance. Amazing.
Equally likely that they were father and son or brothers
Load More Replies...Not always. In ancient Greece, for example, it was considered good to be gay. It was even a norm because the man's body was considered perfection itself. Philosophers often had male lovers.
Load More Replies...When it comes to education, historical photos are invaluable resources. They bring history to life in ways that textbooks often can't, offering a vivid window into the past.
Young Girl Wearing Prosthetic Legs, England, 1890-1910
I wonder how well they worked. Definitely better than nothing.
This Is Maud Wagner, Who Is Widely Believed To Be The First Female Professional Tattoo Artist In The Us, 1907
Portrait Of John Smith, Also Known As The White Wolf, Elderly Native American Chippewa Of Cass Lake, Minnesota, In Traditional Dress, 1914. (Probably Born Between 1822 And 1826, Although Presumably As Early As 1784; Died In February 6, 1922)
The Night They Ended Prohibition, December 5th, 1933
The National Archives in the U.S. has digitized over 300,000 photos from its vast collections, making them easily accessible to the public. These images have sparked a surge of interest in historical research, allowing people to explore and connect with history in a more personal and engaging way. By visually bridging the gap between past and present, these photographs help us understand and appreciate history like never before.
Roland, A 4,000 Pound Elephant Seal, Getting A Bath From His Handler At The Berlin Zoo. This Photo Was Taken In 1930
"Lower, lower, yeah that's right, you know the spot...."
Portrait Of Mother And Child During The Great Depression, 1939
Penn Station, NY 1943. A Soldier's Farewell To His Wife
Father Passes Out When He Meets His Triplets For The First Time, 1946
French Soldiers Passing By A Dog Wearing Googles And Smoking A Pipe, 1915
One of the most profound ways historical photos enrich our lives is by creating an emotional connection to the past. When we see a photograph of a great-grandparent, a historical figure, or an ordinary person from decades or centuries ago, we’re reminded of our shared humanity.
During The Spanish Flu Of 1918 In California
Eunice Hancock, A 21-Year-Old Woman, Operates A Compressed-Air Grinder In A Midwest Aircraft Plant During W-W-II. August 1942
Photo From The Restaurant Windows On The World, Which Sat Atop New York City's World Trade Center's North Tower, 1976
I was right there New Years Eve 1997. Put my forehead to the window and looked down. Just thought I'd share.
These images show us that, despite the passage of time, certain experiences, emotions, and struggles remain universal. They can evoke a sense of empathy, nostalgia, or even inspiration, reminding us that we are part of a larger human story that spans generations.
Two Girls Dancing In The Streets Of London, 1954
A German Immigrant Girl Waits To Be Processed At Ellis Island - New York, 1926
Japanese-American College Students During Their Relocation To An Internment Camp. Sacramento, 1942
Two very cool kats in an absolutely horrible situation. I seriously want to know what happened to these dudes.
Such photos are, in many ways, the visual threads that weave together the fabric of our shared history. Which of these pictures resonated with you the most? Be sure to share this post with someone who would enjoy it!
Homecoming Prisoner - Vienna, Austria Ca 1946
Carrying his prosthesis in his bag. Perhaps it is uncomfortable or he just doesn't want to damage it.
A Boy Shows Off His Ray Gun, 1950s
"Do Your Bit! Skate To Work" Women Of The Uso Promoting Gas Rationing During WWII. New York City, 1940's
Soviet Peasants Listen To The Radio For The First Time, 1928
"... And that was Kate Bush with Babooshka, up next it's Sally with the latest traffic updates. "
German First World War Veteran Hans Lange With A Portrait Of Himself As A 19-Year-Old In 1918. Photograph Taken In 1998
I don’t know why it feels so shocking to me that a WWI vet was alive in 1998. It really is difficult to comprehend the passage of time sometimes.
A Hippie Girl Selling Roadside Flowers In Oklahoma, 1973
Patricia O'keefe, 8-Year-Old Carries Wayne Long, A 200-Pound (90 Kg) Man, On His Back In An Unusual Display Of Strength, 1940
Photos Of Victorian Women Who Never Cut Her Hair, 1860-1900
I have days when I want to chop my own hair off and it’s only waist length. I can’t imagine how long it would take to wash and dry hers
The Tallest (Cornelius Bruns), Shortest And Fattest (Cannon Colossus) Man Of Europe Playing A Game Of Cards, 1913
Hugo Gernsback Is An Inventor Of Tele-Glasses Television-Glasses. VR Technologies Of 20th Century
A Member Of The New York Police Force Hangs From A Girder, 1920
The Italian Royal Family, 1905
A Circus Strong Woman Balances A Piano On Her Chest, 1920
Teen Boy With Hand Over Girl Eyes Surprising Her With Box Of Valentine’s Day Candy, 1940s
Estonia, 1913
Palm Beach Florida, 1920
Robert Earl Hughes (1926–1958) Heaviest Person Recorded At 1,071 Lbs, Walked Unaided
A Circus Performer In An Aquarium Car With Crocodiles, Berlin, 1933
"When are you getting out of that tank?" " In a while crocodile! "
Blind, 1916
She is a licensed beggar in New York- note the metal badge she is wearing. Begging was illegal without a license. This was common in many cities. she would be considered one of the “deserving poor” and allowed to access other charity. However, UK, people like her would be sent to the workhouse instead of being allowed to beg if they did not have family to look after them.
Netherlands, 1919
I don't know what I'm looking at. Are those hats with just the bangs? I'm truly curious peeps, not trying to be a AH.
Victorian Train Station, 1930
Paris, 1897
First King Of Saudi Arabia Ibn Saud With His Sons Prince Faisal (On The Left) And Prince Saud (On The Right) In The Early 1950s
Bored Panda Staff: "Let's repost this photo series every week. It's easier than finding new content."
Well, it gives Elle Roque something to bark about, so there's that.
Load More Replies...I'm really irritated by the unproofed titles. At least let a human scan it before rolling it out.
I really wish they'd quit colorizing old B & W photos, to me they lose the impact especially in darker times; WWI, the Dust Bowl, Child Labor etc... IMHO it takes away the seriousness of the era/time and makes it more Disney. Again, my opinion, that you pay more attention to details if a photo is B&W.
I feel like the color modernizes it and makes it more relatable whereas the black and white allows us to distance ourselves because it happened in some "far away" time. I personally think the color is impactful.
Load More Replies...I would have liked an "all of the above" for the why do you like this quiz.
Many of these are boring and uncommunicative, exposing the limited imagination of BP editors.,
Wow so many reposts . Bored panda is like watching the same rerun over and over and over again.
Anyone else unable to see a couple of the photos, because there is an ADVERTISEMENT covering it up? 😡
I'm curious - the colors of the early 1900s are always shown as faded/dusty blues, greens, pinks, browns and greys.... were these actually the colors in style/available, or is this more a product of our general convention for depicting that time period (similar to the way today's movies always show settings in Mexico with a sepia filter)? If it's the latter, it would be cool to see these images in brighter tones!
Re the Poll: I don't follow those accounts, I just come to BP.
Bored Panda Staff: "Let's repost this photo series every week. It's easier than finding new content."
Well, it gives Elle Roque something to bark about, so there's that.
Load More Replies...I'm really irritated by the unproofed titles. At least let a human scan it before rolling it out.
I really wish they'd quit colorizing old B & W photos, to me they lose the impact especially in darker times; WWI, the Dust Bowl, Child Labor etc... IMHO it takes away the seriousness of the era/time and makes it more Disney. Again, my opinion, that you pay more attention to details if a photo is B&W.
I feel like the color modernizes it and makes it more relatable whereas the black and white allows us to distance ourselves because it happened in some "far away" time. I personally think the color is impactful.
Load More Replies...I would have liked an "all of the above" for the why do you like this quiz.
Many of these are boring and uncommunicative, exposing the limited imagination of BP editors.,
Wow so many reposts . Bored panda is like watching the same rerun over and over and over again.
Anyone else unable to see a couple of the photos, because there is an ADVERTISEMENT covering it up? 😡
I'm curious - the colors of the early 1900s are always shown as faded/dusty blues, greens, pinks, browns and greys.... were these actually the colors in style/available, or is this more a product of our general convention for depicting that time period (similar to the way today's movies always show settings in Mexico with a sepia filter)? If it's the latter, it would be cool to see these images in brighter tones!
Re the Poll: I don't follow those accounts, I just come to BP.