The Carter Family
At first glance, this could be a photograph of any large family. But it turns out that this family battled through immense hardship, only to come out the other side years later. Yes, at the head of the Carter Family, you'll find John William Carter and his wife Louise Carter. When this photograph was taken in 1936, they had just moved from Barbados to start a new life in Toronto, Canada.
Over the course of a decade, this couple welcomed a whopping nine children into the world. Amazingly, their eldest child eventually became the first Canadian-born black judge in Canadian history!
Sigourney Weaver at High School
Today, everyone knows Sigourney Weaver's name. The Hollywood actress has attached it to major movies such as Alien, Avatar, Gorillas in the Mist, and Working Girl - and she's certainly proved her worth as an actress who can transform herself into any character required of her. That's why it's so interesting to see this never-seen-before photo of her high school yearbook from 1967. Especially as her chosen yearbook quote was so apt!
The fact that Sigourney Weaver, who is known for playing everything from scientists to aliens, wrote, 'Please, God, please, don't let me be normal' is something that makes us seriously happy.
A Happy Family
There are so many things that the history books brush over. And while political leaders, world wars, and deadly plagues are certainly interesting and important to learn about, historical photos like this one also matter. After all, their lives were just as important when this photo was taken - even if society didn't seem to think so. They had each other, they had their lives together, and they had even welcomed a baby into the world!
This never-before-seen photo is truly powerful, as you can clearly see the love that these two people have in their eyes. They look happy, and we really hope they were when this photo was taken.
The Pioneers of Jazz
It's long been thought that jazz was created in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but there's no doubt that the resurgence of the musical genre in the 1920s helped its popularity. But what you might not know about that time is that jazz was primarily dominated by men. Male singers and instrumentalists were headlining jazz bars and recording their music, but at the same time, women had to try and break through the metaphorical jazz class ceiling.
Finally, in the 1940s, women were able to take the jazz world by storm - and this historical photo proves it! This photo shows bandleader Anna Mae Winburn with her all-girl jazz-swing group, called The International Sweethearts of Rhythm.
An Aboriginal Boy With His Pet
Most of us have had pets over the course of our lifetime, and it's highly likely that you've had photos taken with your pets. Well, that's exactly what this young aboriginal boy did in October 1955. When a National Geographic photographer visited his home, they were extremely taken by the fact that the Aboriginal children considered kangaroos and wallabies to be their pets. So, they just had to snap a photo.
Now, this historical photo shows what life was like for the Aboriginal people back in the day. And you can't deny that smile says it all; he's pretty happy with his pet!
"Invisible Dad, Result of War"
While not much is known about this woman or her son, this historical photo has become one of the most poignant images to come out of the history books. This photo was taken by Evaldas Ivanauskas in 1926, and is quite simply called "Invisible Dad, Result of War." That name, alongside the photo itself, is enough for us to understand what had happened to this family. And the end result is utterly heartbreaking.
From the empty coat to the son wearing his father's military hat, everything about this photo is a stark reminder that life is fleeting, and everyone involved in these wars has their own story ad their own families.
Marlon Brando and His Cat
Famous for his roles in The Godfather, A Streetcar Named Desire, and Superman, it's no secret that Marlon Brando was praised for his manly and authoritative nature. But this historical photo has lifted the lid on what he was like behind the cameras, and it seems to suggest that he was just a regular guy who loved going home to spend time with his cat. In fact, he loved cats so much that the opening scene of The Godfather wasn't even meant to have a cat in it!
It's believed that this adorable picture was taken during the 1950s, not long after he told a journalist that "I live in my cat's house," suggesting that his cat ruled supreme in his life.
When Nora Washington Caught a Catfish
In today's day and age, most people associate the word 'catfish' with online phishing. But there was once a time when real fishing was a make or break for families across the U.S. And this was the case in the 1950s when Ms. Nora Washington was alive. As she and her family tried to survive and thrive in Bastrop, Texas, they often had to rely on the nearby Colorado River to keep them well fed.
Not only that, but Ms. Nora even went out by herself to catch their food with a cane pole. And while her face doesn't suggest it, we have a feeling that she was probably very proud of that giant catfish.
The Old Cincinnati Library
The bibliophiles amongst you will probably feel a great pang of sadness when you look at this historic photograph. After all, this was once one of the most magnificent public libraries in the United States. It was located in Downtown Cincinnati at 629 Vine St. and offered thousands of books for book lovers to enjoy across multiple levels. But, sadly, this library is no longer around, and was replaced by a more modern iteration years later.
This photo shows the library just before it was demolished in 1955, and it's fair to say that this never-seen-before photo is one that fills our hearts with sadness. Let's just hope that they at least saved the books.
LA Policemen Undercover
If you have a keen interest in history, there's a high chance that you know a huge amount about the biggest events that have happened across the world. But what about the smaller events? Historical photos like this one deserve attention, especially as this vintage photograph is so unusual. In fact, it shows a group of policemen from Los Angeles disguising themselves as women in order to solve a very important case.
During the 1960s, LA women were terrorized by a violent purse snatcher. In order to catch the snatcher in the act, the police decided to become his next target. However, it's not known whether they caught him or not.
Audrey Hepburn in 1990
You probably don't need us to tell you that Audrey Hepburn will always be considered a Hollywood icon. Famed for her role in the likes of Breakfast at Tiffany's, Roman Holiday, My Fair Lady, and more, she was at the peak of her popularity during the late '50s and early '60s. Because of that, many people remember her looking just as she did during this time of her life. But like all of us, she aged.
We love this historical photo, as it proves that Audrey Hepburn was still just as beautiful when she got older. And this photo was taken in 1990 on the streets of New York. She sadly passed away three years later.
That Infectious Laughter
Unlike many of the other historical photos on this list, not much is known about this image. While we know it was taken around the 1940s, it's unknown who this woman is or what has made her laugh so much. However, that seems to add to the magic of the photo. Despite everything that was going on in the world at that time, she still managed to find some joy in life. And that's infectious.
While the kids around her look a little less happy, we love the fact that this woman has a smile on her face during such a troubled period of history. It reminds us to always look on the bright side of life.
Tops Are Optional
Of course, this is an iconic image. But what makes this historical photo even more impressive is the story behind it. That's because this photo was taken at Spring Lake Beach in New Jersey, just after a motion was passed to allow male swimmers to take off their tops while enjoying the beach. However, that rule didn't apply to women - something this female sunbather decided to ignore for the sake of her own comfort.
When a lifeguard questioned why she had removed her own top, this strong woman pointed at the sign. And in her defence, the sign doesn't specify that the rules only apply to men!
Children and Dog in London
Although posed photos are always impressive, there's nothing quite like candid photos to show you real emotion and real feelings. And that's why we love this candid photo from London in the mid-1950s. While it may be simple in that it only shows a group of young children and a dog playing in the street, there's something about their actions and the expressions on their faces that make this historic photo so wholesome.
You can see on their faces that the children don't need much to be happy. They have their friends and they have their dog, and the last thing they need is a video game or iPhone.
Lesbians at the Gateways Club
In 1950s London, homosexuality was largely frowned upon. Gay and lesbian people had to hide themselves in the shadows and hide their true selves from the rest of the world - but one club in Chelsea aimed to change all that. The Gateways Club was a celebrated lesbian bar in the city, and the female-only clientele meant that these ladies could enjoy time being truly themselves away from public scrutiny and ridicule.
Thanks to this never-seen-before historical photo, we can see just how much this club meant to the ladies who lived nearby. Judging by the comfortable smiles on their faces, they felt as though they were finally accepted.
Film Class in Bali
The 1930s marked the start of the 'Golden Age' of Hollywood, where technicolor films first made their appearance, and sound quality and storytelling improved massively. But while most of the work in this time took place in Hollywood, this historical photo proves that they weren't the only ones learning how to use this new technology. This photo was taken in 1934 in Bali and shows a young Balinese woman learning photography and cinema.
Not much is known about this photo or why the daughter of a priest was learning how to use a film camera. But the juxtaposition between her traditional garments and the modern camera makes a fantastic photo.
Fred With Tires
During the 1990s, many young women had this man plastered over their walls. But do you know the history behind this iconic photo? This image was actually shot in 1984 by Herb Ritts. This iconic photographer made a name for himself for photographing celebrities, as his work mainly focused on black-and-white images of people. In fact, he tried to shoot these modern figures in the style of classical Greek sculpture, so he could truly show off their shape.
This image shows 'Fred with Tires' from the Body Shop series, and you can certainly see his style within the photo. Although it's modern, it's extremely sculptural - and the black and white simply enhances that.
The Completed World Trade Center
One of the most tragic historic events the world has ever seen was the 9/11 terror attack on the World Trade Center. This event resulted in the loss of 2,000 lives - and, at the time of writing, more people have since died from illnesses caused by this event than they did on the day. But while it's important to remember the souls who lost their lives during this tragedy, it's also important to remember what this building meant to the people of New York.
This photo shows the newly completed World Trade Centre dominating the New York skyline in 1973. At the time, it was an incredible feat of engineering and one that became a beacon in the city.
University of Illinois in 1910
Nowadays, people going to college is so commonplace that we often don't give it a second thought. But during the early 1900s, going to college wasn't quite as common. It was reserved for the upper echelon of society, and that can be seen in this photo. This image shows a couple of University of Illinois students hanging out in their dorm room in 1910, and there's no doubt about the fact that it's interesting.
While this dorm does look different to modern-day dorms, it's also vaguely familiar. From the posters on their wall to the students lounging on the bed, it's still just the same.
Frank Sinatra's Home
Whether you knew him as Ol' Blue Eyes, Chairman of the Board, or just Frank Sinatra, there's no doubt about the fact that this American actor and singer took the world by storm during his heyday. He became one of the most beloved men in Hollywood, and this meant that everyone wanted to know more about him. They wanted to take pictures of him, they wanted to attend the same parties he attended, and they even wanted to hang out at his house.
But this never-seen-before historical photo proves that he tried to put boundaries in place. And this was the sign that he put outside the Bowmont Drive entrance of his house during the 1960s.
Life With Big Brothers
People who grew up as an only child or only with sisters will never truly understand what it's like growing up with brothers - especially when they are older. The experience is something you just can't explain, but rather than something that has to be lived through. Photos can give people a good idea of what it's really like, though, and this photo shared by a woman from her childhood does just that.
This photo was taken in 1978 and shows the woman when she was a baby, being looked after by her big brothers. However, you do have to question how much they were really looking after her!
Girl Talk
Nowadays, many young women thrive on their girl time. They can't wait to catch up with their friends to tell them all about the new updates in their lives, and when they finally get together, they feel so alive and animated. But what many people fail to realize is that this isn't a new thing. Girls have been getting together and engaging in girl talk for decades, and this historical photo proves it.
This historical photo shows a group of young girls gathering at the corner of East End Avenue and 81st Street on a regular day in the 1950s. But you can tell that this girl talk was very much needed.
Mia Farrow and Her Cat
When you think of Mia Farrow, you probably think of Rosemary's Baby and The Great Gatsby. But there is so much more to this actress than meets the eye. Over the course of her career, she hasn't been afraid to speak out about the things that matter, and she's even become a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. But aside from all of that, did you know that Mia Farrow is also a huge lover of animals?
In fact, Mia even had a cat of her own. But she worried about her cat Malcolm as he was deaf, so she decided to learn sign language in an effort to communicate with him.
Women at a Bar in Cuba
Sometimes, the best slices of history aren't the ones that make it into the history books. Instead, they're the ones that show everyday people going about their everyday lives - and that's why we love this photograph so much. This image was taken in Cuba in the 1950s and shows two young women having a drink at a bar. And while there's not much else going on, it's still a stunning photo.
What we love about this particular image is that you can really see the style of that era. From the thine eyebrows to the large earrings, these women were obviously very proud of their looks.
The Maryhill Olympics
You just need to open the history books to learn that the 1980 Olympic Games took place in Moscow. But while those at the peak of their fitness made their way to Russia, children around the world were being inspired by those they were watching on television. Because of that, the Maryhill Olympics were born. These makeshift games were created by the kids on the streets of Glasgow, and they loved every second of it.
This amazing photo shows what the kids would get up to in order to recreate the sports they saw on TV. And it's clear to see that this mattress high jump was fun for everyone involved!
Beach Pajamas in Deauville
Back in the 1930s in France, beach resorts like Deauville were teeming with the upper echelon of society. Men and women traveled from across the country to enjoy the white sandy beaches and the social circles that roamed there. However, it's fair to say that women were treated differently to men - and, in fact, they weren't allowed to wear pants! Instead, they had to wear skirts at all times.
The only time women were allowed to wear pants was in pajama form. So, the women of the day decided to blur the lines between those two rules, and start wearing what they called their 'beach pajamas.'
Elvis and His Parents
Elvis will forever be considered the King of Rock and Roll. His music and his influence on the world of popular culture will go down in the history books for hundreds of years to come. But it's fair to say that most people remember him as he was during his early 20s. With his slicked-back hair, his snake hips, his deep voice, and his relationship with Priscilla, he was an icon.
That's why it's so interesting to see him as a child, with his parents by his side. Elvis made no secret of the fact that he loved his mom, and seeing them look so alike like this is one for the history books.
The Original Ronald McDonald
Today, McDonald's is arguably the largest fast-food chain in the world. With over 40,000 restaurants around the globe, it seems as though everyone knows the golden arches and the image of Ronald McDonald. But Ronald hasn't been around since the beginning. Although the first McDonald's was opened in 1940 by the McDonald brothers in San Bernadino, the first iteration of Ronald didn't rear his head until three decades later in the 1970s.
This historical photo shows just how terrifying the original Ronald McDonald looked. And if you're not a fan of clowns, you probably wouldn't have been a fan of this guy.
The Iconic Zoot Suit
While this may seem like a harmless yet slightly over-the-top suit, what you might not realize about zoot suits is that they're still considered to be one of the most infamous outfits you can wear. During the 1940s, these suits were prohibited - and they're still unlawful in Los Angeles today. With its high-waisted, wide-legged, tight-cuffed, pegged trousers, the zoot suit first became popular amongst Hepcat and Pachuco subcultures. But in the 1940s things turned violent.
In fact, the Zoot Suit Riots took place in 1934, and racial mob violence unfolded in cities across the U.S. as many considered the excessive suits to be a waste of fabric during the war-time rations.
A Little Girl and Diana Ross
If you grew up in the 1980s, you'll know just how strange it is to see modern TVs. These giant flat screens are humungous compared to the old-school things you used to watch cartoons on - and we bet you had something like one of these two TVs in your house. Whether you had the bigger one on the bottom or you used it as a stand for a smaller TV when it broke, you were probably just as proud as this little girl of your screens.
What we love about this historic photo, though, is that this girl looks so confident, and you can see that she is a big fan of Diana Ross. And we don't blame her!
'The Farrah' Hairstyle
During the 1970s and 1980s, Farrah Fawcett was one of the most famous women in Hollywood. Thanks to her role in Charlie's Angels, she won over the hearts of every man and woman around the world. Men wanted to date her, while women wanted to be her - and that's why 'The Farrah' became so popular. This hairstyle was known for being voluminous, with shorter bangs that framed the face and provided extra volume.
Because of this, you couldn't walk down the street without seeing young women like this walking down the sidewalk next to you. There were even bonus points awarded to those who wore Farrah's trademark jean jacket, too.
A Family Bike Ride
Most of the time, families with children head off on their adventures in their large family cars. From SUVs to station wagons, these cars are well-equipped to deal with all of the safety requirements that come with transporting children. But it seems as though those rules weren't in place back in the day. This historic photo shows an old-school family going about their day on an equally as old-school bike.
Of course, we don't think this would be allowed today - especially as the mom is wearing heeled shoes and the child is sitting in a makeshift basket seat without a seat belt. But it worked for them.
Bunny Yeager on the Beach
While you might think that this never-seen-before photo is just a random photograph of a beautiful woman on the beach, you might be interested to know that she's not just any beautiful woman on the beach. This woman is actually Linnea Eleanor "Bunny" Yeager, a pin-up model and photographer who took the world by storm during the 1950s. She was particularly famous for her photographs on the beach, as she often designed and made her bikinis herself.
While it's not known whether Bunny specifically made this daisy bikini or not, there's no doubt that it looks incredibly impressive. So, it's no wonder she wanted to be photographed in it.
Jane Playing Cards in the Car
Today, Jane Fonda is still considered to be an icon. With her trademark hairstyle and her work as an activist, she has been able to maintain her career within the cutthroat acting industry. But there was once a time when she wasn't as famous as she is now - especially as she only really got her start in the acting industry in the late 1950s. And this amazing historic photo was taken just as her career was starting to take off.
This picture shows the young actress playing cards in the back of her limo, and it's fair to say that she looks pretty content with life. Plus, she looks just as stunning as she has always been.
Bunny Yeager's Self Portrait
We've already seen Bunny Yeager in all of her glory, but most people didn't give this woman enough credit. Sure, she was a hugely successful pin-up model, but she was also a creative who loved to get behind the camera, too. She made a huge name for herself as a professional photographer, and this never-before-seen photo shows her two sides merging into one. Yes, this is Bunny Yeager's stunning self-portrait.
In true Bunny form, she knew she had to take her self-portrait at the place that had made her famous - the beach. And everything from her pin-up hair to her striped pants make this portrait look exceptional.
Red Light District in Paris
Over the course of history, the world has seen so many amazing photographers rear their heads. During the 1970s, photographer Jane Evelyn Atwood focused her attention on the people of Paris. But she didn't focus on those who lived the high life. Instead, she focused on the outcasts and those who lived on the fringes of society. This often took her to the infamous Red Light District - pictured here in the late 1970s.
This photo gives us a glimpse of what life was really like back in the day, which is something you don't often see in the history books. And that's what makes it even more interesting.
Madison Square Park, 1905
In today's modern world, it can be hard to really appreciate what life was like back in the day. But it's historical photos like these that allow us to be transported back in time to witness the people and the places that existed during that era. In fact, if you've ever wondered what Madison Square Park looked like back in 1905, just take a look at this photo! It's just adorable.
This photo shows a mother and her three daughters going for a stroll in the park, and you definitely won't see outfits like that in the park today. You won't see strollers like that, either.
Life Before the Parachute
It's hard to imagine pilots flying up in their tiny planes without having a parachute at their disposal - even if it just says under their seat. These parachutes are there in case something bad happens, and in case they have to fall from a great height. These parachutes no doubt save lives, but there was a time when they didn't exist. And this is what pilots had to wear instead.
This cushion suit was designed to protect a pilot in case of an emergency, but we have a feeling that it definitely didn't work as well as a parachute does.
Violinist With His Dog
It's truly amazing to see historical photos like this. When they're not posed, and they're not of well-known people, you really get a glimpse into the lives of everyday people who simply worked to survive. But in an amazing twist, this worker wasn't working in a factory or pouring drinks in a bar. Instead, they were relying on their violin skills and the kindness of strangers he was hoping to impress.
We have a feeling that his dog probably helped with his money-raising efforts, too. If we saw a dog holding a money bowl like that, we'd have no choice but to donate!