Unique Photographs Capture Unforgettable Moments In History

The internet is a marvel. Thanks to this miraculous tool, we can see places and periods we would never have been able to see ourselves. It can also give us ideas for our next holiday destination—all thanks to its extraordinary capacity for sharing and storing pictures. 

1969 was the year Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon. This was part of the Apollo 11 mission, which Armstrong commandeered next to Lunar Module Pilot Buzz Aldrin and Command Module Pilot Michael Collins. 

It seems like something out of a movie, but this picture was taken on March 20th, 1980, in Yale Lake during one of the worst volcanic eruptions in the modern history of the US. A 4.2 earthquake shook the area, then a second shock—this time of 5.1 on the Richter scale. 

Egypt is home to the Giza pyramids, and on the same plateau, the marvelous Sphinx stands proud and tall. We’ve all seen the pictures. It has been referenced over and over in media throughout the years: the limestone statue of a mythical beast with a lion’s body and a human head.

Mount Rushmore is an emblematic American monument on the Black Hills of South Dakota. It features the faces of four presidents, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, and Theodore Roosevelt.

Photographer Steven McCurry took a series of portraits during the ’80s that are mesmerizing, but “Afghan Girl” became one of the world’s most recognizable pictures. It was featured in 1985 on the front of National Geographic magazine and now has gone down in history.

The Price is Right is the longest-running game show in history. It first aired in 1956 and has been loved by audiences ever since. The classic game has been adapted for different countries such as the United Kingdom, Mexico, India, and Australia. 

Although Niagara Falls has never been completely empty, in 1969, it was nearly so for several months. US Army Engineers built a temporary dam to study rock formations and to perform scientific studies. 

Probably the world’s most famous cabaret, “Moulin Rouge” is an iconic spot in Paris. Open since 1889, it has been frequented by artists, celebrities, and thousands of spectators wishing to see one of the most provocative shows on earth. 

Believe it or not, behind this brick case is one of the world’s most famous sculptures. Michelangelo’s David was covered by a layer of bricks in 1943 to protect it from the war’s destructive bombs. It was encased for two years until it was safe enough. 

This uncommon picture shows a fantastic view of the construction of the Manhattan Bridge from the Robert Gair Building. Although the construction started in June 1908, it wasn’t open for traffic until late December 1909. 

Mount Fuji is a symbol of Japan’s beautiful natural landscapes. The mountain has a remarkable triangular shape that makes it very recognizable. Usually, it’s very difficult to photograph the mountain because of low-hanging clouds, but this photographer was in luck. 

This picture might seem familiar to those who know basketball, but even if you don’t, you’ll recognize you’ve seen it before. This picture was taken in 1969, and a few months later, it was used as inspiration to create the NBA logo that is still used. 

Any person on social media has seen pictures of someone doing yoga or meditating in the Gate of Heaven in Bali. This spot is especially famous among influencers and internet personalities, characterized by a crystal clear lake under the two stone structures. However, the problem is it’s nothing like the pictures in real life! 

Many people have seen the picture “Lunch atop a Skyscraper.” It has been featured in postcards, referenced in films, and used as publicity for various campaigns. It depicts eleven construction workers eating lunch while sitting on a beam during the construction of the Rockefeller Center. 

The magic of cinema often relies on practical tricks that look funny in real life. In this case, the crew of James Cameron’s Titanic had to experiment with many techniques to acquire the look they needed for the film. 

To achieve Vito Corleone’s characteristic “bulldog” look, makeup artist Dick Smith designed a custom-made mouthpiece. A professional dentist made the piece to ensure its comfort and durability and that it wouldn’t hurt Marlon in the long run.

Even before Mount Rushmore was carved, the Black Hills was a sacred place for the Lakota Sioux people. Although they were cut to feature four U.S. presidents in 1941, they used to be called Tȟuŋkášila Šákpe, which translates to The Six Grandfathers. 

This picture is dated from 1935 when the first cables were installed on San Francisco’s emblematic suspension bridge. The Golden Gate Bridge opened for traffic on May 27th, 1937, and the construction lasted over four years. 

The end of the television sitcom Seinfeld was a historic moment for pop culture. The show lasted nine seasons from 1989 to 1998 and was a cultural phenomenon. The show got started using a very modest set. 

On November 10th, 1969, the pilot for Sesame Street aired on television. The show has been running ever since. It has set many records, such as being the longest-running children’s television show, most Emmy awards for a children’s show, most international adaptations, most muppets created, and most celebrity guest appearances.

The artist Grant Wood had a specific vision for his painting. In the background would be a house that he once saw in Eldon, Ohio, and in the foreground, a father-daughter duo. When he finished, he didn’t expect it to become one of the most regarded masterpieces of the 20th century. 

This is no flower field—an unseen view of the crowds at the Woodstock Music and Art Fair in 1969. As one of the most crucial moments in music history, it is one of Rolling Stone’s “50 Moments That Changed the History of Rock and Roll.”

If you were walking around Paris in 1878, you would’ve probably encountered the Paris World Fair, where this massive copper head was showcased. Here it is before it was gifted to the United States by the government of France in 1889. 

The LZ 129 Hindenburg, a German commercial airship, operated from March 1936 until its tragic demise in May 1937 due to a fire accident. Here’s a rare sneak peek inside. The upper deck served as a residential passenger area equipped with cabins, a dining room, and a lounge for relaxation. 

Although the famous image depicts a nameless man halting the progression of four tanks in Beijing, the uncropped picture reveals a far more daunting situation. A continuous line of tanks filled the streets, amplifying the bravery and defiance of the man who stood alone in their tracks.

With the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961, travel between East and West Berlin was strictly prohibited. However, this changed until November 11, 1989, when the Wall was finally dismantled. Hundreds of thousands of East Germans took to the roads, eager to explore the other side after years of separation. 

The Arc de Triomphe in Paris commemorates those who fought for France during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. At 164 feet, it was the tallest triumphal arch in the world until the Monumento a la Revolución was completed in Mexico City in 1938. 

This one would have taken some guts to photograph—never mind film up close. Many lions were used to film Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s iconic logo throughout the years, but only one was named Leo. The lion pictured here was known as Jackie, not Leo.

If you’re afraid of riding on roller coasters, you’re not alone. The speed and gravity can be too much for some people. But imagine riding a coaster where you’re taken off the track—even just for a death-defying moment—only to slam down on the other side.