50 Interesting Historical Photographs That Might Teach You Something New

It’s hard to pinpoint when humans started recording and sharing knowledge ofthe past. But it’s estimated that they started early on. At first, there were cave paintings, and then language, which allowed people to tell origin stories and pass them from generation to generation. The invention of writing systems allowed people to record the past more extensively. And as technology evolved, new ways of doing so emerged. Now, in addition to all of that,historycan be recorded through photographs, video, and audio recordings.Today we’ll be looking at our fascinating past through photography, courtesy of theFacebook groupHistorical Images. These pictures show what life was like before we came to this world and remind us that we and everything else exist because of those who came before us. Scroll down for a deep dive into our history and don’t forget to upvote the ones that resonated with you the most.While you’re at it, make sure to check out a conversation with Margot Note, expert archival consultant and founder ofMargot Note Consulting LLC, who is passionate about preserving the past and kindly agreed to chat with us about historical pictures!This post may includeaffiliate links.

Today we’ll be looking at our fascinating past through photography, courtesy of theFacebook groupHistorical Images. These pictures show what life was like before we came to this world and remind us that we and everything else exist because of those who came before us. Scroll down for a deep dive into our history and don’t forget to upvote the ones that resonated with you the most.

While you’re at it, make sure to check out a conversation with Margot Note, expert archival consultant and founder ofMargot Note Consulting LLC, who is passionate about preserving the past and kindly agreed to chat with us about historical pictures!

This post may includeaffiliate links.

This Photo Is From 1920 And Was Titled: “A Few Seconds Before Happiness”

Sitting On Their 1947 Chevrolet At Dinner, And 63 Years Later

In 1910, In New York, The United States, A Photographer Took A Photo Of Four Little Girls. Blessings To People A Hundred Years From Now

The keeping of writtenhistoryrecords appears relatively late, only 5,000 years ago in Egypt and ancient Sumer. Before that, knowledge about the past would be passed on from memory, with ancient storytellers being able to recite stories for days.“Before photographs, people recorded history through oral traditions, written records, visual depictions, and physical artifacts. Oral storytelling preserved myths, genealogies, and events in societies without writing, while early civilizations used cuneiform, hieroglyphs, and manuscripts to document their histories,” further explained Margot Note, expert archival consultant and founder ofMargot Note Consulting LLC,toBored Panda.“Visual methods included prehistoric rock art, detailed frescoes, and narrative tapestries like the Bayeux Tapestry. Historical records were also embedded in physical forms such as inscriptions on monuments, architectural achievements, and coins bearing rulers’ likenesses. Tools like the Inca’s knotted strings (quipu) and European chronicles showcased inventive ways to preserve memory. These methods reflect humanity’s enduring desire to document and interpret the past, paving the way for photography as a more permanent and detailed medium.”

“Before photographs, people recorded history through oral traditions, written records, visual depictions, and physical artifacts. Oral storytelling preserved myths, genealogies, and events in societies without writing, while early civilizations used cuneiform, hieroglyphs, and manuscripts to document their histories,” further explained Margot Note, expert archival consultant and founder ofMargot Note Consulting LLC,toBored Panda.

“Visual methods included prehistoric rock art, detailed frescoes, and narrative tapestries like the Bayeux Tapestry. Historical records were also embedded in physical forms such as inscriptions on monuments, architectural achievements, and coins bearing rulers’ likenesses. Tools like the Inca’s knotted strings (quipu) and European chronicles showcased inventive ways to preserve memory. These methods reflect humanity’s enduring desire to document and interpret the past, paving the way for photography as a more permanent and detailed medium.”

A Man Posing With A Donkey In His Lap, 1910s

Lucille Ball On The Day Of Her Wedding To Desi Arnaz, 1940

A Mother And Her Son On Their Way To A Pride Walk, 1985

History record-keeping picked up pretty fast and just within a few centuries we already had elaborate written chronicles. Written documents started to gain authority over oral stories because it was much harder to change them when they were written down.Evidence also became important, as relying on what someone’s grandmother said to their dad didn’t cut it anymore. However, one downside to noting down the past at the time was that it only told the stories of therichbecause most people still couldn’t read or write.

Evidence also became important, as relying on what someone’s grandmother said to their dad didn’t cut it anymore. However, one downside to noting down the past at the time was that it only told the stories of therichbecause most people still couldn’t read or write.

Saving Teddy During The 1941 Blitz Of Liverpool

Little Girl Talking With Her Father, A Train Driver For Southern Railway’s Southern Belle Steam Train, Before He Leaves On A Trip To Brighton - London, 1931

Warsaw, Poland

Another interesting aspect of our history is that it only started to be precise and make chronological sense after the first ancient Olympic games in 776 BCE and the building of Rome in 753 BCE.However, scholars have figured out various ways to precisely date events even before there were written records. Like finding radioactive materials to date objects such as bones or food remains.Art was also very important in recording history. Many historical figures and events are immortalized in paintings and sculptures. However, until the advent of photography in 1826–27, people had to settle on seeing such images through the eyes of the artists who painted them, which might have been not entirely accurate.

Another interesting aspect of our history is that it only started to be precise and make chronological sense after the first ancient Olympic games in 776 BCE and the building of Rome in 753 BCE.

However, scholars have figured out various ways to precisely date events even before there were written records. Like finding radioactive materials to date objects such as bones or food remains.

Art was also very important in recording history. Many historical figures and events are immortalized in paintings and sculptures. However, until the advent of photography in 1826–27, people had to settle on seeing such images through the eyes of the artists who painted them, which might have been not entirely accurate.

Fall Of The Berlin Wall (1989)

Cyclist From Estonia, On A Self-Made Bicycle, 1912

“Approaching Shadow”, 1954

Margot even says that photography is considered a more effective method of recording history compared to earlier methods since it captures visual reality with unparalleled accuracy and immediacy.

“Unlike oral traditions or written records, which are subject to interpretation, memory loss, or bias, photographs provide a direct and detailed representation of a moment in time. This allows future generations to see historical events, people, and places as they truly appeared, offering a level of authenticity and emotional connection that earlier methods may lack,” she explained.

Inside Of A Railroad Car Made By The Pullman Company, 1890s

Italian Grocery Shop, New York, 1943

By Vladimir Lagrange - Ussr, 1960s

In addition, she says that photography democratizes historical documentation. “Previously, recording history often required specialized skills like writing or artistry, which were limited to certain classes or institutions. Photography, especially with modern technology, enables a broader range of people to document their lives and environments, creating a more inclusive and diverse historical record.”

Remarkably, it contained an estimated 3.5 grams of coc***e at the time

This Is The First Publicly Sold Bottle Of Coca-Cola, Released In 1894

A Living United States Flag, Formed By 10,000 Navy Sailors In Illinois, 1917

A Female Firefighting Team On A Converted Motorcycle In London, 1932

Often Carved And Decorated, The Box Bed Was The Pride Of Its Owners. In Homes That Usually Had Only One Room, The Box Bed Allowed Some Privacy And Helped Keep People Warm During The Winter

The Irish Guards' Band Drummer Boy At Waterford Barracks Standing With The Regiment’s Mascot, An Irish Wolfhound, On The 21 February 1917

Photographer Margaret Bourke-White Capturing A Shot From The Top Of The Chrysler Building, 1935

“This image fascinates me not only for its pioneering technique in photography but also for its deeply human quality—a quiet moment of self-reflection captured in the dawn of photographic history. It’s remarkable to consider that the instinct to document ourselves, our lives, and our essence transcends time and technology. This photograph reminds me that archival work isn’t just about preserving the past; it’s about safeguarding humanity’s ongoing story for the future,” she tells us.

Undercover Police Officer, Brooklyn NYC July 1 1969

McAlpin, New York City in 1913.They had the choice of any room in the hotel but instead chose to pitch their teepees on the roof. For many who had never left the reservation this was quite a sight.

Blackfoot Indians On The Roof Of The Hotel

Two Women Working As Ice Deliverers Carry A Large Block Of Ice. September 1918

Photography was so fundamental to humanity that it’s even called the most important invention after the printing press. “An effective photograph can disseminate information about humanity and nature, record the visible world, and extend human knowledge and understanding,”writesEncyclopedia Britannica.The advent of the camera changed the way events are captured and remembered and this no longer became limited to writing or art. On top of that, it allowed people to record personal moments, which wasn’t possible before.

The advent of the camera changed the way events are captured and remembered and this no longer became limited to writing or art. On top of that, it allowed people to record personal moments, which wasn’t possible before.

Neil Armstrong Photographed By Buzz Aldrin Shortly After Completing The First-Ever Moonwalk On July 20th, 1969

Known as “Mickeys,” these hot, baked potatoes were a beloved street food in the late 19th century. Vendors like this one would walk the city, selling the warm, starchy potatoes wrapped in paper or cloth. They were not just a quick and affordable snack but also served a practical purpose during cold weather, as many people would carry them in their pockets to use as makeshift hand warmers on frigid days.Hot potatoes were especially popular among the working class and immigrants in Manhattan, providing both sustenance and warmth for those on the go. Street vendors were a common sight in the city during this period, offering an array of cheap and accessible food options for a rapidly growing urban population. The hot potato, often eaten in between work shifts or on the way home, was part of a broader culture of street food that provided comfort and nourishment amidst the hustle of daily life.The tradition of selling hot potatoes, with their dual function as both a snack and a source of warmth, represents a unique aspect of the urban experience in 19th-century New York. This photograph not only captures a moment in the life of a street vendor but also reflects the ingenuity and resourcefulness of city dwellers who found practical solutions to everyday needs. The image provides a nostalgic glimpse into the past, showcasing a time when simple pleasures like a warm potato could provide both sustenance and a small respite from the harsh realities of city life

In 1892, A Hot Potato Vendor Peddles His Wares On The Busy Streets Of Manhattan, Offering A Popular And Simple Snack To New Yorkers