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When you think of Afghanistan's history, you probably don't think of short skirts, nice cars, and liberal 60s styles, but just as Iran looked very different in the 1970s, these historical pictures show that Afghanistan in the 1960s was a very different country than the one that exists today.

The pictures were taken by American University professor Dr. Bill Podlich, who in 1967 took a two-year leave of absence to work for UNESCO in Afghanistan. He served as the Expert of Principles of Education at the Higher Teachers College in Kabul, and during this time he took many vintage photos of life as it was before the Afghanistan war. The Soviets invaded only a decade later, and Afghanistan was pulled into the war, and following Taliban rule and the US invasion in 2001, the country now bears little resemblance to the peaceful and prosperous nation that you can see in these, now quite sad pictures below.

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#1

Young Photographer At Paghman Gardens

Young Photographer At Paghman Gardens

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#2

Students At The Higher Teachers College Of Kabul

Students At The Higher Teachers College Of Kabul

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#4

Co-education

Co-education

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#6

Education Under The Trees

Education Under The Trees

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#7

Bus Trip

Bus Trip

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ShaudaySmith
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

dude in the center looks like he is about to sell us some nice cologne. dem eyes...

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#9

Afghan Hound

Afghan Hound

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SarahMcRae
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Aw, I have always wanted an Afghan dog since I saw a photo of one when I was younger! They look gorgeous!

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#11

Decorating Cakes

Decorating Cakes

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#12

Sharing Tea & Music

Sharing Tea & Music

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#13

Hanging Out At The American International School Of Kabul (aisk)

Hanging Out At The American International School Of Kabul (aisk)

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#15

Blonde & Afghans

Blonde & Afghans

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DianePeters
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8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The way looks they are giving her would make me uncomfortable if I were her.

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#19

Bus Driver

Bus Driver

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#20

Salang Pass Tunnel

Salang Pass Tunnel

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Sykes
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pretty much everyone is smiling and laughing in the background

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#22

Friendly Crowd

Friendly Crowd

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#23

Under The Trees

Under The Trees

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#24

Fruit & Veggies

Fruit & Veggies

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#25

Art Show

Art Show

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#26

Afternoon Prayers

Afternoon Prayers

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Tod
Community Member
7 months ago

This comment has been deleted.

#27

Outdoor Class

Outdoor Class

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KemalKaya
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

little guy in the middle at #13 learning how to get thru school

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#28

Kabul

Kabul

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#31

Afternoon Shade

Afternoon Shade

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#32

Balloon Boy

Balloon Boy

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#33

Annual Exhibition Of Student Art Work

Annual Exhibition Of Student Art Work

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#34

Vip

Vip

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#35

Afghanistan

Afghanistan

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ShaudaySmith
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

for a second i thought this was a light study painting. wonderful colors and depth. the deep shadows are crazy

#36

All Dressed Up

All Dressed Up

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#38

Hotel Inter-continental

Hotel Inter-continental

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#39

Sight Seeing

Sight Seeing

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Peggy Moore
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's Dr. Podlich. He's not sightseeing, lol. He is walking home from work.

#40

Detail On Arch

Detail On Arch

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#41

Dr. Podlich & The Afghans

Dr. Podlich & The Afghans

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faiq_sawiz
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the guy in the back is wondering why dr. bill wore his pants so high LOL

#42

Fully Loaded

Fully Loaded

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#43

Indoor Class

Indoor Class

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#44

Bamiyan Buddah Statue

Bamiyan Buddah Statue

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JaneTurnerWhitaker
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This makes me so sad. My brother and I climbed to the top of this statue before it was bombed.

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#45

Shave And A Haircut

Shave And A Haircut

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#46

Kabul International

Kabul International

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#47

Walking Home

Walking Home

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#49

Mosque In The Center Of Kabul

Mosque In The Center Of Kabul

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#50

Portable Grand Stand

Portable Grand Stand

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#51

Shopping For Canned Goods

Shopping For Canned Goods

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#52

The Dance

The Dance

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#53

Main Street

Main Street

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#54

People & Ducks

People & Ducks

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#56

Monument

Monument

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#57

Cookin' Kababs

Cookin' Kababs

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#58

Swimming In The Kabul River

Swimming In The Kabul River

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#59

Algebra & Mud

Algebra & Mud

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#60

Apartments & Stores

Apartments & Stores

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#61

School's Out

School's Out

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#62

Marching

Marching

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#63

Road Work

Road Work

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Carlos Ovalle
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This actually looks like they're mixing concrete by hand for use in a construction project behind the photographer. This is a very common occurrence.

#64

New Years Celebration

New Years Celebration

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#65

Guard Duty

Guard Duty

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#67

The Demonstration

The Demonstration

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RobertBarrett
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One of the best school system in the USA started from this class Harmony School of Innovation

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