We’re doomed to repeat the same mistakes that humankind has made, over and over again, if we don’t have a solid grasp of history. But learning about the past is far more than just skimming through thick, dusty volumes. Seeing a quality photo from a specific event or time period can help you understand the atmosphere in a way that mere words can’t on their own. An image can really be worth a thousand words.

Though historical photos might be (mostly) black and white, we shouldn’t ignore the nuances and shades of grey that we might come across. The past is a very strange place, full of joy, despair, and change for the worse, as well as for the better.

The ‘Historical Pics’ Twitter page has been sharing powerful and impressive photos from the past in the hope of educating and entertaining social media users around the globe. Today, we’re featuring some of the top photos that the account has posted in their feed. Upvote the ones that really wowed you, Pandas, and let us know how they made you feel.

Meanwhile, scroll down for Bored Panda’s interview about historical photos with professional photographer Dominic Sberna, from the United States.