25 Old History Photos Revered By An Account For Enthusiasts

History allows us to understand humanities mistakes, the efforts that were made in the name of progress and the evolution of our society over time. The photographs found on the dedicated Facebook page, Historical Photos has a following of over 400k enthusiasts because their rare content acts as a portal into the forgotten corners of history allowing us to analyse how things played out back in the day. Boasting a vintage collection of snapshots in black & white as well as colored, these images teach us a little something about the events that led to the formation of the modern society we live in today.

Image source: Robert Coleman 

#3 Katherine Johnson Was An African-American Mathematician Whose Work Was Fundamental At Nasa

Image source: Devashish Mazumdar

Her precise calculations helped ensure the success of the Mercury and Apollo space missions, including the historic Apollo 11 moon landing. Her life and work were immortalized in the film “Hidden Figures.”

#4 Zeppelin Over Berlin 1915

Image source: Syed Sameer

#5 Mary Amelia Ingalls Was Born On A Cold January 10, 1865, In A Small Cabin In Pepin County, Wisconsin, To Parents Charles And Caroline Ingalls

Image source: Christian Remigius Abong

Little did they know, Mary’s story would forever be tied to the pages of literature through her younger sister, Laura. Mary was a quiet and obedient child with a sharp mind and an insatiable curiosity. She loved reading, sewing, and writing poetry, and her world was full of warmth from her family and the playful moments shared with her sisters, Laura, Carrie, and Grace.

However, everything changed in the summer of 1879 when Mary fell gravely ill at the age of 14. Intense fevers left her bedridden, and when the fever finally subsided, she discovered a new, devastating reality: she had lost her sight. Her family, although supportive, couldn’t change the fact that the disease had left her blind. Her sister, Laura, became her eyes, reading to her, describing the world around them, and helping her continue her studies. Despite this dramatic shift, Mary remained determined to overcome the challenges that came with her blindness.

In 1881, Mary enrolled in the Iowa College for the Blind, where she spent seven years studying literature, mathematics, science, and even learning practical skills like weaving and broom-making. She became a cultured, independent, and resilient woman. After graduating in 1889, Mary returned to De Smet, where she lived with her family, finding joy in music, reading, and sewing. Though she never married, Mary found fulfillment in her simple life, surrounded by her loving family. After her mother’s death in 1924, Mary continued to live with her sisters until her passing in 1928. Though her life was overshadowed by her sister Laura’s fame, Mary’s legacy lives on in the pages of *Little House on the Prairie*, where her spirit remains alongside her beloved sister.

#6 A Police Officer And His Dog Riding A Motorcycle, 1930

Image source: Christian Remigius Abong

#7 Buqshan Palace, Located In Hadramaut, Yemen, Was Constructed From Mud In 1798. This Palace Spans An Area Of 800 Sqm And Rises To Eight Floors

Image source: El Rosa Golabac Larubac

#8 At 67 Years Old, Emma Rowena Gatewood Told Her Adult Children She Was Going Out For A Walk. What They Didn’t Realize Was That Her “Walk” Would Span 2,168 Miles And Make History

Image source: Roadtrip New England

In 1955, Gatewood became the first woman to hike the entire Appalachian Trail solo and in a single season, starting from Mount Oglethorpe in Georgia and finishing at Mount Katahdin in Maine.

A farmer’s wife from Ohio and mother of 11, Gatewood—affectionately known as “Grandma Gatewood”—embarked on her journey with little more than determination and a deep resilience forged through hardship. Having endured years of domestic abuse before finally escaping her marriage, she found solace and strength in nature. Her trek was more than just a physical challenge—it was an act of liberation.
Unlike today’s well-equipped thru-hikers, Gatewood traveled light. She wore simple Keds sneakers, carried a homemade denim sack, and relied on her foraging skills and the generosity of strangers along the way. Her feat was so extraordinary that she completed the entire trail again in 1960 and later section-hiked it in 1963.

Her remarkable journey not only brought national attention to the Appalachian Trail but also inspired countless future hikers. For those of us in New England, where the trail culminates at Maine’s rugged Mount Katahdin, her story serves as a reminder of the endurance, grit, and adventurous spirit that define both the Appalachian Trail and those who dare to walk it.

#9 This Pic Is Of My G Grand Aunt And Her Baby Emma. My Aunt Died In 1871 And I’m Amazed At The Clarity Of The Pic

Image source: Ted Grant

#10 This Is A Picture Of Hannah Stilley, And It Was Taken In 1840. Why Is This Important? She Was Born In 1749 And That Makes Her The Earliest Born Human Being To Ever Have Their Picture Taken..

Image source: Dymas Axel

#11 The 900 Year-Old Traquair House, The Oldest Continually Inhabited House In Scotland, Engraved In 1815 Compared To Its View Today

Image source: Chandra Shekhar

Originally a royal hunting lodge, Traquair has been visited by 27 Scottish Kings, and it dates back to 1107.

#12 Victorian Poverty. A Disabled Match Seller Suffering With Polio Surviving The Streets Of London. C1900

Image source: Russell Stephen Edwards

#13 The Inner Courtyard Of Newgate Prison. London. 1895

Image source: Russell Stephen Edwards

#14 The Interior Of Grauman’s Egyptian Theatre, Hollywood, Which Opened In 1922

Image source: Alexis Alexis

#15 Then And Now, Against The Wall: A Destroyed Car On The Berlin Wall In Front Of Brandenburg

Image source: Christian Remigius Abong

#16 Lost London. Chinatown. Limehouse. London. 1927. A Truly Atmospheric Part Of Town That Inspired The Likes Of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Oscar Wilde, And Charles Dickens

Image source: Russell Stephen Edwards

#17 Ella Williams (Born 1865), Also Known By Her Stage Name ‘Mme Abomah’, Was An American Performer. She Was A Woman Of Extraordinary Height And Strength Who Became An International Celebrity In The Late 1800s

Image source: Chathumi Bhagya

Born in South Carolina in 1865 to parents who were former enslaved people, Williams grew to be over eight feet tall after contracting malaria when she was around 14 years old.

Williams gained fame when she agreed to tour Europe as a giantess with Frank C. Bostock in 1896. Bostock promoted her as a member of the legendary Dahomey Amazons, a famous all-female fighting force. He gave her the stage name Mademoiselle Abomah, which came from Abomey, the capital of the Kingdom of Dahomey.

Abomah and her manager decided to take her act to Europe because racism was less pronounced there compared to the United States, and they believed that audiences in Europe would be more accepting of a tall, strong, and beautiful Black woman.

As a result, Abomah toured various parts of Europe, as well as Australia, New Zealand, South America, and Cuba over the course of her 30-year career. She was known for her expensive and extensive wardrobe, which gave her a royal and elegant appearance. Abomah went on a successful tour of Europe between 1910 and 1911, during which she performed in various locations including Liverpool, Blackpool, and at English variety halls. She also toured Australia in 1903, New Zealand between 1904 and 1908, South America in 1909, and visited Coney Island and Cuba in 1917. Additionally, Abomah performed with Reynold’s Waxworks and Exhibition in 1900, 1903, and 1912–1913, and with Barnum and Bailey in 1918. In 1920, she performed at Dreamland[6] and the World’s Museum, and in 1921, it was announced that she was going to sail to Paris for a three-month engagement

Abomah cancelled her tours and returned to the US when Britain declared war on Germany in August 1914. She continued to work for Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey, and at Coney Island until the 1920s when she left the show business.

#18 A Boy Pushes A Pram On Gloucester Street, The Rocks, Sydney, Australia In C. 1900

Image source: Robert Coleman

#19 A Caravan At An Encampment Near Latimer Road. Notting Hill. London. 1877

Image source: Russell Stephen Edwards

#20 The Kiss Felt ‘Round The World In 1968

Image source: Robert Coleman

The “kiss felt ’round the world” refers to the iconic moment in the “Star Trek” episode “Plato’s Stepchildren,” which aired on November 22, 1968. In this episode, Captain James T. Kirk (played by William Shatner) and Lieutenant Uhura (played by Nichelle Nichols) share a kiss. This moment is often cited as one of the first interracial kisses on American television.
The kiss was a bold statement during a time of significant social and racial tension in the United States. It challenged the norms of the era and became a symbol of progress and equality. Despite some controversy, the episode is remembered as a groundbreaking moment in television history.

#21 In 1929, Vivian Bales Embarked On A Remarkable Journey That Would Cement Her Place In History. Over The Course Of 78 Days, She Rode Her 1929 Harley Davidson Across The Country, Covering A Staggering 5,000 Miles

Image source: Nasrin N

At a time when long-distance travel was a challenging and daring feat, Bales’ solo journey was both a personal adventure and a testament to the growing spirit of independence among women. Her journey was not just about the miles; it was a statement of strength, perseverance, and the freedom that motorcycles offered during that era.

Vivian Bales believed her Harley Davidson was the “key to the whole United States,” a sentiment that reflected her belief in the power of mobility and the open road. As she crossed the diverse American landscape, she encountered people, places, and experiences that illustrated the vastness and variety of the country. Her trip symbolized the growing fascination with motorcycles as a means of exploration and self-expression, and she became a symbol of adventure and empowerment for women at the time.

Her journey was well documented in the press, and Bales’ story was widely celebrated, adding to the allure of both motorcycling and the emerging role of women in activities traditionally dominated by men. Today, her incredible ride remains a milestone in the history of motorcycling and a shining example of the spirit of adventure and determination.

#22 Behind The Scenes Of “Godzilla” In 1954. The Film Opened In Japan In 1954 And Sold Approximately 9.6 Million Tickets, Gaining A Lot Of Money For The Time.

Image source: Robert Coleman

#23 Abandoned Villa In Italy

Image source: Alexis Alexis

#24 “In The 1930s, On The Wind Rock Navajo Reservation In Arizona, An Evocative Moment Was Captured By Photographer H. Armstrong Roberts, Showcasing A Navajo Baby In A Traditional Cradleboard, An Iconic Symbol Of Native American Child-Rearing Practices

Image source: Robert Decosta

The cradleboard, made of wood and leather, was a vital part of the Navajo culture, designed to keep the infant secure and comfortable, while also offering protection as the mother worked or traveled. The scene, which shows the baby peacefully being approached by a lamb, illustrates the deep connection between the Navajo people and the animals that played a central role in their daily lives, from livestock to spiritual significance. The Navajo, whose territory spans across Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah, have always had a profound relationship with the land and animals, which is reflected in their traditional art, culture, and beliefs.

This photograph, taken at Wind Rock, a location in the northeastern part of the Navajo Reservation, not only captures a fleeting moment but also preserves a glimpse of life during a time of transformation for Native American communities. In the early 20th century, the Navajo people, like many indigenous groups, were facing challenges such as forced assimilation policies, land displacement, and the impacts of modernity on their way of life. Despite these challenges, the Navajo remained resilient, maintaining cultural traditions, including the cradleboard and the nurturing of their young in an environment where they were surrounded by nature and family.

The image stands as a testament to the beauty of Navajo traditions and the intimate, yet often overlooked, moments that define a culture. This photograph is a reminder of the enduring strength and connection of the Navajo people to their heritage and land, captured through the lens of a photographer who was able to witness and document this quiet yet profound interaction between child, nature, and animals. The year 1930 marked a pivotal time for Native American communities, and images like this one offer valuable insights into the resilience and enduring cultural practices of the Navajo nation.”

#25 Rosa Parks’ Mugshot. Thursday, December 1, 1955 Montgomery, Alabama USA

Image source: Robert Coleman

Arrested after the Bus Driver moved the Colored Only Sign behind Parks to allow Standing Whites to sit and Parks refused to stand – and stood her ground.
Parks was charged with a violation of Chapter 6, Section 11, segregation law of the Montgomery City code, although technically she had not taken a white-only seat; she had been in a colored section. Edgar Nixon, president of the Montgomery chapter of the NAACP and leader of the Pullman Porters Union, and her friend Clifford Durr bailed Parks out of jail that evening.
The United States Congress has honored her as “the first lady of civil rights” and “the mother of the freedom movement”