Life Photographed: Amazing Powerful Images From The 20th Century

No period of time has ever been better documented or was more influential in human history than the 20th century. Technology, war, population growth and freedoms all reached a zenith during this time and the images we have to reflect on show us just how far the human race has come in the short time in the 1900’s. The century dawned with horse-drawn carriages and ended with missions to Mars, handheld computers and technology that seemed like science fiction only a few decades earlier. Take a glimpse at some of the greatest moments of modern history.

1939- Big Apple Flyover

A DC-4 passenger plane flying over midtown Manhattan. These type of photos were extremely difficult to take especially in the late 30’s when this image was taken. A helicopter had to fly above the flight pattern as the plane was coming in for a landing at JFK.

1942- The Women Of The Armed Forces

WAACs (Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps members) wearing gas masks as they participate in a training drill at Fort Des Moines in Iowa. This image was published in September 7, 1942.The WAC was created to assist with operations during World War II.

1944- Omaha Beach Invasion

On D-Day 6th June 1944 there were 34,250 American troops landed on the beach that has become known as Omaha Beach. It took less than 24 hours for the allies to take back the beach at Omaha, but it came with massive loss of life. The cemetery at Omaha contains the graves of 9,387 military casualties, most of which died in the D-Day landings and ensuing operations. This one day marked a swing in the tides of war.

1949- Pablo Picasso

Pablo Picasso uses a lighter to draw a centaur in mid-air. This was taken by LIFE magazine in the southeastern region of France in 1950. The famous painter loved his cigarettes, young women and wine and while his work was popular during his life, it became some of the world’s most sought after art with even old scribblings and notes from the artist selling for millions at auction.

1951-A Country Not Yet Evolved

For almost a century there was a thing called the “Jim Crow Law”s and from 1876 and 1965 there was an enforced mandatory segregation in all public places. Whites and blacks were not allowed to mingle in restaurants, post offices, restrooms, schools, stores or anywhere else. It was a dark time in modern civilization. While blacks were technically free, that was far from the truth until those laws were abolished in 1965.

1980- Bob Marley

Bob Marley is one of the most beloved musical artists of all-time. His songs or love, peace and forgiveness have kept the people of Jamaica and the world inspired since his death from melanoma cancer in 1983. Seen here playing a game of ping-pong between shows in Europe, Marley also fathered many children from women other than his wife Rita. Today those kids carry on his tradition of positive reggae music. His huge list of offspring include Ziggy, Damian, Stephen, Julian, Rohan, Sharon,Ky-Mani, Stephanie, Cedella, Robert, Karen and Mikeda.

1953-American Royalty

The Senator and eventual President John F. Kennedy and his new bride, Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy, smile during their wedding reception in Newport, Rhode Island 1953. This was the first glimpse we would get of what would eventually be called the Camelot era. No other president in history captured the imagination of the world like Kennedy.

1963- Dr. Martin Luther King

A huge crowd gathers  during the March on Washington on Aug. 28, 1963. The Mall in Washington, D.C. was the location that that Martin Luther King Jr. changed the world when he delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech to over 250,000 people who came to watch the civil rights leader address racial tensions in the United States.

Hydrogen Bomb Test

This image of the 14 kiloton nuclear test called “Charlie” was part of “Operation Buster-Jangle” and took place at the Nevada Proving Grounds on October 30, 1951. Little was known about the effects of radiation and many soldiers who were part of the test later became stricken with cancers and died and young ages.

1947-Roswell New Mexico UFO

The Roswell incident is still a story that is told and referred to in almost every sci-fi film and book over the past 70 years. The newspapers and the military all told the same story: They found a UFO, yet one day later the military changed its story and the mystery only deepened as the country wanted answers of what really happened at the crash site. Stories of alien technology and alien bodies were told and recanted but the fact remains that after that incident is when our country started great advances in tech, aircraft and computers. Coincidence? Maybe.

1965- The Greatest Ever: Muhammad Ali

In one of the most iconic images ever taken, Ali stands over his defeated challenger Sonny Liston while shouting something lost to time.  The fight was short, only lasting a minute into the first round. While this titanic moment seems so powerful, in the video shot, it only lasts one tenth of a second. The colors, the feeling and the moment stands as one of the most perfect sports moments ever caught on film.

1915- The Babe

One of the rare photographs of a young Babe Ruth. This image was found in 1988 in an old forgotten an attic tucked inside of its original envelope. There were two of photographs of Ruth, this amazing portrait and one of him throwing a ball during warm-ups. Ruth was only 20 years old in this photo while he was playing for the Red Sox.

1977- Happy Days

The top show in the late 70’s and early 1980’s was Happy Days. The show looked back at a simpler time in American history and gave our country a strong feeling of nostalgia as we watched Arthur Fonzerelli show us what the real image of cool looked like. Campy and corny, the show will always hold a place in the hearts of Americans.

1981-Reagan Assassination Attempt

Monday, March 30, 1981 Ron Hinckley Jr walked up to President Ronald Reagan and opened fire, shooting the president once in the mid section and shooting James Brady in the head. Here we see secret service guards take down the suspected shooter who later admitted he had done it to gain the attention of actress Jodie Foster.

1955- James Dean And His Porsche

James Dean loved his Porsche 550 Spyder as seen in this photograph. Not long after this image was taken, Dean was speeding down a California road and lost control of his car. He died at the scene and as the news of one of the world’s most popular actors death spread across the globe, one couldn’t help but imagine “What If.” What if he didn’t have that car? What if he was saved by from the wreckage? We will never know those answers and the loss of Dean is still felt today.

1962- Brothers In Arms

In a tense image caught on film, President John F. Kennedy confers with his brother, then the Attorney General, Robert F. Kennedy at the White House. This was at the height of the Cuban missile crisis which was between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. It became so intense that the countries were within hours of a nuclear war.

1964- The Beatles Come To America

Iconic Ed Sullivan introduces a new band to America; The Beatles. This image was caught during a rehearsal for the Beatles first American appearance ever on the “Ed Sullivan Show,” in 1964. Ringo Starr, George Harrison, Sullivan, John Lennon and Paul McCartney AKA – “The Fab Four” were watched by a record  70 million viewers.

1971- The Greatest Rock N Roll Band Ever: The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones have been playing music together since the early 1960’s…thats over 65 years the group has made some of the greatest rock n roll music of any band EVER. With dozens of hits like Sympathy for the Devil and Satisfaction, Keith Richards and Mick Jagger have become rock legends of the highest order. Today they still perform to sold out venues across the globe.

1920- Prohibition

Millions of Americans took to the streets to buy their last legal drinks from liquor stores and saloons on January 16, 1920 as prohibition took hold. The next day the 18th Amendment outlawing “the manufacture, sale or transportation of intoxicating liquors” took effect and changed the country for 12 years till it was repealed. During that time bootlegging and organized crime became prevalent as Americans wanted their old familiar friend: Booze.

1976- Happy Birthday USA

The 200th anniversary of the United States enjoyed a year long party celebrating the nations birthday on July 4th 1976. The country came together after years of war with Vietnam and strained race relations. If even for the day, the country celebrated togetherness and independence in glorious fashions around the nation.

1936-“Migrant Mother” by Dorothea Lange

The photo that defined the era of the Great Depression in the United States. This photo is of Florence Owens Thompson 32 year old mother of 7. Dorothea Lange captured the image on a pea farm in California. This image became the iconic symbol of a struggling nation. It was reproduced in countless publications and was said to add great trajectory to a movement for improvement.

1989- The Berlin Wall Protests

The word says it all, “Freedom.” The building of the Berlin Wall began on August 13, 1961. It was built quickly overnight to isolate West Berlin from surrounding East Germany and from East Berlin. Those in the West had fled there in search of democracy. The wall stood until November 9, 1989.

1942-“The Tetons- Snake Rive” by Ansel Adams

Ansel Adams remains the poster child for combining stunning nature photography with environmentalism. He is credited in part in helping to preserve natural lands in the United States. This photo was taken in Grand Teton National Park and became an iconic symbol of the need for the preservation of natural beauty. Prints of this photo still circulate regularly and there are an immense number of Instagram copy cats, but no one can replicate the original shock factor presented in Answel Adams photography.

 

1985- Omayra Sánchez

Mayra Sánchez had been trapped in the mess of water and concrete for 3 days after the eruption of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano. This photo carries much controversy as she died shortly after the photo. The question arose why did the photographer not help? We are still left to wonder.

1985- “Afghan girl” by Steve McCurry

This photo by Steve McCurry was made famous by its publication in National Geographic in June of 1985. It was captured in December of 1984. The photo is of Sharbat Gulu, an Afghan girl who was in school at Nasir Bagh refugee camp. She had fled there with remaining family members after the death of both her mother and father in Afghanistan. 

1953- Pit River Bridge Rescue by Virginia Shau

This photo was taken by Virginia Schau, she was an amateur photographer who happened to come across the scene of a rescue on The Pit River Bridge across Shasta Lake near Redding, Calif. You can see a man, Paul Overby, being pulled to safety. Both Paul and his fellow driver Hank Baum were saved from the truck that eventually fell to the water.

1901-1904 Railroad Bridge, Oregon

This photo is of a railroad bridge in Oregon in the early 1900s. This photo attracts a lot of ridicule as it seems “overbuilt” and created with no regard for ecology or sustaining the natural environment. In Oregon at that time, the supply of trees appeared endless and they were logged and used accordingly. 

1945- Second Subaltern Elizabeth Windsor, Women’s Auxiliary Territorial Service

This photo is of Princess Elizabeth on duty with the armed forces during WWII. She trained as a mechanic and military truck driver after begging her father for permission to get involved. As we all know, she would later become the beloved Queen Elizabeth.

1907-Annette Kellerman

Pictured here Annette Kellerman takes a stand for women. She had the photo taken to promote women’s right to wear a fitted bathing suit. Soon after Annette would be arrested for indecency as the one-piece suit was too fitted.

1933- “Great Manta”

This is a photo of  Captain A.L. Kahn that was taken on August 26, 1933. He is proudly displaying his catch of a Great Manta. There is actually debate on whether or not the Manta pictured is real. This image was displayed on a postcard that included the text,

“The huge ray was reported to have weighed over 5,000 pounds and measured more than 20 feet across the wing. The critter was caught when it became fouled in the anchor line of the “MISS PENSACOLA II” and was unable to free itself. The ray was towed to Feuerbach and Hansen’s Marina in Brielle, New Jersey where it was hoisted ashore with a travel lift.”

1956- Animals for Therapy by Francis Miller

Frances Miller visited the University Hospital in Ann Arbor Michigan to photograph the use of animal therapy in the children’s wing of the hospital. The hospital had been using animals as an ongoing therapy program for more than 30 years. Each year about 3,000 children were treated at the hospital.

1990- Nelson Mandela Released

This photo is of Nelson Mandela after being released from prison February 11, 1990. He had served 27 years for leading and participating in protests against the oppressive regime in South Africa. Four years after his release, he would be named South Africa’s first president.  He is pictured along with his wife Winnie.

1937- The Hindenburg disaster

This is one of the iconic photos of the Hindenburg disaster in Lakehurst New Jersey on May 6th 1937. The aircraft had been commissioned by American Airlines to makes a series of cross-Atlantic flights. The disaster happened at the landing of the first of a series of 10 flights. The incident was caused by static electricity.

 1967-  Sweden Driving Change

Prior to this day in 1967, Sweden had a road traffic policy in which drivers commuted on the left side of the road. Sweden officials decided it would be best to change driving policies so that vehicles would drive on the right side of the road. This photo captures the chaos of the first day of that transition.

1909 Cree Indian Boy, Colorized

The original photo was black and white and captured around 1909. Pictured is a young Cree Indian Boy. It was a transitional period for the Native American People as they fought to protect their lands and way of life. This photo was recently colorized by artist John Gulizia.

1944- Soldier Shares a Banana

A photo of a soldier during The Battle of Saipan. The Battle of Saipan took place on the island of Saipan during World War II. This image became an icon depicting the humanity of those involved in war. The soldier shares a banana with a goat as he keeps cover in his bunker.

1946- Life Magazine

Werfel receives his first pair of new shoes. He was a six-year old orphan at the time of the photo and the red cross had dispatched relief efforts to help war torn areas. Werfel was delighted to receive the shoes and this image captured the simple delight and joy caused by such small gesture.

1931- Gandhi Spins

This original caption for this photo in Life Magazine read  “At 76, the Mahatma is in good physical condition. He weighs 110 pounds, but he is not so frail as he looks.”  Gandhi is one of the most decorated and beloved humanitarians of all time. This photo became a symbol of his life and philosophies. He is dressed in traditional garb of poor Indians in order to better identify with them.

1937- Baby Cage

This photo is constantly circulated the internet as a shocking photo of a formal style of child rearing. This photo was taken in 1937 in a New York City apartment complex. Baby cages were used to babies living in apartments could get access to fresh air and sunlight. Although it looks a bit scary, it was a normal practice at the time.

1970- Bin Laden Family

This photo pictures Osama Bid Laden and his family. Osama is second from the right. Bin Laden would go on to help found the group al-Qaeda who claimed responsibility for the attacks of September 11, 2001 on the United States.

1945- Mona Lisa Removed from Storage

The Mona Lisa painting by Leonardo da Vinci has had to be relocated many times. This photo shows an unveiling of the the undisturbed painting after WWII. The photo had been removed from display and stored for safe keeping during times of political unrest.

1928-1956 MGM Roar

The MGM company is known to have a roaring lion as the studio’s production logo. The logo featured a series of cats over the years. Pictured above is Jackie the Lion as he is filmed for the logo. Jackie’s roar was used from 1928-1956.

1967- Israeli Underwater Vehicle

Pictured is an underwater vehicle used by the Israeli Commando unit in 1967. It shows it innovation in war fare at the time as militant groups continued to push the boundaries of technology and strategy. It looks a bit more like a sunken boat than the submarines that would follow.

1973- Prisoner of War Returns Home by Sal Veder

This is a 1973 photo of Lt. Col. Robert L. Stirm as he is greeted by his family. Lt. Stirm was a released prisoner of war and was returning home from the Vietnam War. As the caption explains, he is greeted by daughters Lori and Cynthia, ages 14 and 11, wife Loretta and son Roger, age 12.

1900- Shoe Shop

This photo from is said to be of the smallest shoe store in London at the time. The salesman pictured was operating his business from a store with a floor measurement of 1.2 square meters. Maybe this was all he could afford, maybe it was all that was available in a crowded London or maybe he is just a savvy business man limiting overhead costs.

1968- Robert F. Kennedy

Pictured is Robert F. Kennedy sleeping on the floor of a plane during his 1968 presidential campaign. The Kennedy’s were known for being relatable, genuine people. This picture makes someone so powerful seem all the more relatable. Everyone, at some point has needed a nap.

1956- Loading Memory

This photo is of a digital memory device being loaded into a plane. This particular unit of storage had a capacity of 5 Megabites. That is far less than the amount of digital storage space on the average cell phone today. Technology has come a long way.

1961- Space Chimp Survives

This photo is of a Chimpanzee who successfully completed a mission to space and back. He is posing for a photo with a newspaper announcing his successful journey. Nine years after this photo, man would first set foot on the moon.

1929- Market Crash

This photo is after the stock market crash of 1929. It became an iconic photo of the era, highlighting the direct effect the stock market had on people. In desperation, many were selling their most prized possessions at a fraction of their original worth.

1903- Times Square

Pictured here is Times Square in 1903. It was very early construction of what would become a most iconic section of the city. Considered the city that never sleeps, it is hard to imagine Times Square before the wide use of the electric light bulb.

1929- Schienenzeppelinin

Pictured above is the Schienenzeppelinin. It was designed and engineered by Franz Kruckenberg. It was moved by a propel at the rear of the machine and powered by a 600 horsepower aircraft BMW V12 motor. At the time of completion, it set the record for land speed at 230.2 km/h (143.0 mph). Because of safety concerns it was never used and was dismantled in 1939.

1978- Mother Teresa Cradles an Orphan

Mother Teresa as she holds an armless baby girl at the Missionaries of Charity order’s orphanage. Mother Teresa was the head of the order located in Calcutta, India. Her life was an endless testament of compassion. She dedicated her life to helping others and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on October 17, 1979.