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109 Of The Most Heartwarming Historic Photos Ever
When looking at the majority of historical photos, it might seem that the world was black-and-white and all we had were wars and disease.
However, Bored Panda has gone back in time, and dug out some of the most heartwarming and cool images from days gone by.
From a boy receiving a puppy as a present from his grandad, a hospital-bound girl being cured by ducklings, a Victorian couple cracking up as they try and take the 19th century’s equivalent of a selfie, and many others, these vintage photos depicting historical events and regular everyday lives will undoubtedly restore your faith in humanity.
And best of all, these delightful old photos show that despite being from a different era, one thing hasn’t changed over the years - it’s still the little things that matter.
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A Few Seconds Before Happiness, 1955
Awweee. I wish we could have also been able to see "A Few Seconds After Happiness" lol
I agree! Would love to see the reaction too! Also, I wonder if this little boy is still alive today so we can hear from him what the day and moment was like. I love this picture!
Load More Replies...Awww that's so sweet. I bet that pup was loyal to that boy for many years.
Remind me to my grandpa. I was the kid, and I knew how's the happiness was 😍
That`s one of the best presents in history! If we could only see the reaction that followed...
One of the best days of that boys life, being given his first truly loyal friend.
A Victorian Couple Trying Not To Laugh While Getting Their Portraits Done, 1890s
It is interesting, Looking at these pictures, it seems they are alive and well but they are long gone. But we got a glimpse into their lives and for a brief moment a laugh was captured on film for all to see.
That's a beautiful statement. Thanks for sharing it ^.^
Load More Replies...Love this picture as you can see their affection for each other in the laughter.
Marine Sergeant Frank Praytor Feeding An Orphaned Kitten. He Adopted The Kitten After The Mother Cat Died During The War.
I'm not into men....but this guy, taking care of that sweet baby kitty ... that's hot!
It's heartwarming to see such a sweet moment in amongst such horrible times.
Soldiers do this all the time! The humanity of Man in such horrible situations!
Best Friends
The boys look like they could be twins. I wonder how long it took to train their little doggie
Will the dog let the kid stand on his back? That fountain looks awfully high
Austrian Boy Receives New Shoes During WWII
New shoes were a BIG thing during WWII. My grandmother told me how my grandfathers paycheck one time was enough to buy their groceries and some new shoes for my mom. Times were tough VERY tough in those days.
My mom tells the story of sitting on a chair for hours waiting for her parents to come back with a pair of shoes. The ones she had been wearing until then gave up and disintegrated. It is amazing what we take for granted
Load More Replies...These days we have to give a kid a $300 I-pad to get the same reaction!!
People who really lived in this time were grateful for everything! As we should be ! As a society we have too much and are spoiled rotten
And now kids gripe because their tablet is already a year old! Gosh, the suffering.
Girl Playing For Her Dog
No! She would never betray her loyal companion by looking at other dogs in windows! 😝
Load More Replies..."I played banjo with a dog. I wrote a song about it. Wanna hear it? Here it go..."
"There was a farmer who had a dog and BINGO was his name-o B-I-N-G-O"
Brownie Gets The Milk As Blackie Waits His Turn, 1954
I think maybe barnyard manx cats? I don't see tails. They can jump super high from their hind legs, so I'm not surprised by their balance in standing like that.
Load More Replies...There's actually three cats there, they must have been very used to milking time lol form an orderly line lol
Harold Whittles Hearing Sound For The First Time, 1974
My father was deaf, life was really hard for him......he is in Heaven now so he can hear everything❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Animals Being Used As Part Of Medical Therapy, 1956
Looks like the girl in the picture is wearing a more developed form of the "iron lung.” In the less developed versions of the iron lung people at first couldn’t see anything behind them because they were lying on their backs, but then someone had the idea of putting up a mirror so people could see from behind. Something like this would not have been as possible for people in the iron lung until a more mobile version was made as seen in this heart warming photo. 😊
Animal therapy should be in every hospital, nursing home and rehab clinic.
haha thats funny they thot of baby ducks in water instead of a kitten
It's a lung therapy device. Helps break up mucus in people with Cystic Fibrosis so they can breathe better
Load More Replies...Happy French Girl And Her Cat, 1959
Cat is content, otherwise it wouldn't be held at all, child or not.
Load More Replies...The cat face says " How did I get here? Save me !!!" The girl is so sweet and happy.
So adorable,and someone showed that cat patience. Maybe just the happy girl including the cat with a hug ...mutually beneficial!
The Graves Of A Catholic Woman And Her Protestant Husband, Holland, 1888
If I remember correctly the grave stones are separated by a wall because they are two different cemeteries that were made for Catholic and Protestant beliefs. I know from my grandmother that marriage between different faiths of Christianity was seen as unnatural and was not looked at as being ok at the time. This is a very heart warming photo but it also shows how far modern society has come over the years.
I remember this one as well and you are correct. Different faiths had separate cemeteries. Kinda dumb, but all religion is kinda dumb.
Load More Replies...You can find this one in Roermond, at the Zandbergstraat, were i used to live,
Russian Soldiers Of WWII Sleeping With Puppy
You can see how cold the soldiers are, their arms are tucked under their chests.
A Little Girl Holds A Penguin's Flipper As They Walk Together Around The London Zoo, 1937
Penguins are my weakness!! Them and monkeys and frogs, but penguins!! And the little one looking so Jackie O. Love this.
Oh how sweet that is, my daughter loves penguins and would be very envious of this little one.
Young Carrie Fisher Watching Her Mother Debbie Reynolds Perform On Stage, 1963
I was sad to see both of them go. But I'm glad her mother didn't have to live a full day without her.
Little Girl And Her Pet Toad At A Pet Show, Venice Beach, California, 1936
It toad-ally does! (Sorry couldn't resist the pun)
Load More Replies...It's a bit hard to tell, but that appears to be a Bearded Dragon, rather than a toad. Even if it's a horned toad, the "toad" in the name is a misnomer. A horned toad is, in fact, a lizard. Still, it's a cute picture nonetheless.
Is it me or does she look like harry potter? Incl scar (actually hair...)
Snape hair! xD "Snape, Snape, Severous Snape....."
Load More Replies...Don't understand the down votes. Looks like a horny toad, they resemble lizards from the front. Common in desert areas.
Load More Replies...Christina Goldsmith Kissing A Weimaraner Puppy From Her Father's Stock Of Weimaraner Hunting Dogs, 1950
The photographer was Bernard Hoffman. This picture is ironic when you consider that he previously photographed the ruins of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Luv that little sleepy face.And oh, look at his tiny little belly!:)
A Hotel Commissionaire Talking To A Small Dachshund Dog In Piccadilly Circus, London, 1938
I believe the little dog was trying to get a room as it was the 'inn' thing to do. How suite.
"Yes sir, there is a lovely fire hydrant just a few blocks over. I've heard excellent reviews regarding its location and attendees. Please allow me to hail you a taxi."
That would be like me I talk to any dog I see, I call them all puppies.
Anyone else think the man in the yellow hat and curious George are coming around the corner in a second?
Boy Sharing Bed With His Best Friend
sharing can also mean giving your share to someone, so while not in the bed together he has shared his bed so to speak. When you share your candy, you do not get to also eat the candy you gave to someone.
Load More Replies...Awwww! He shows his love in all ways to his loyal companion. Sweet, sweet boy
So it was the dog that kept wetting the bed, not the boy!!!! I bet his mom felt silly after finding out. [You can see the plastic sheeting taped to the mattress!!!]
A Little Girl Having Fun Pretending To Talk On The Telephone, Japan, 1958
That's not a play phone, but a payphone!!!! But you're right!!!!! LOL
Load More Replies...It's it just me or does that phone seem huge? I know she's small and perspective or whatever but still...
This reminds me of my niece, Abby. We were in a Holocaust exhibit at Constitution Hall in Philadelphia and we came to a room that was remade to look like Hitler's office and Abby walked up to the desk, picked up the phone and started chatting away. She was about 4 and it was the cutest thing I'd seen in a long time.
Didn't we all do this as kids? Especially on payphones!!!!! It's a universal game!!!!!
Soldier Shares A Banana With A Goat During The Battle Of Saipan, Ca. 1944
Saipan, Ca.-in California? Isn't Saipan in the Pacific? Love the pic, these kind of war photos always renew my hope for humanity.
Ca. means "circa". It means they don't know the exact year when the picture was taken.
Load More Replies...Side note... California is also on the Pacific... but as they said circa to the other bit.
Mailman Poses With His Heavy Load Of Christmas Mail And Parcels, Chicago, 1929
Back when mail was delivered twice a day. That's a lot of Santa ;)
A Little French Girl Gives An American Soldier A Kiss On Valentine’s Day, 1945
A Blind Woman Relaxes At The Local Swimming Pool, Watched Over By Her Guide Dog, 1966
I know. The dog looks so anxious, and his owner so reassuring.
Load More Replies...Nun Dancing With Children, 1964
Champion Bloodhound Leo Of Reynalton Being Cuddled By His Little Mistress Dorothy Horder At The Crufts Dog Show In London, 1935
I love these dogs. But the breed seems to be dying out. Don't see as many as when I was a child.
A Young Woman Lifts Her Feet While Embracing And Kissing A Uniformed Us Soldier At The Train Station, Connecticut, 1945
This is a beautiful photo. I love how the other couple looks so happy for them
There is such an excess of good feeling to this! He's home from the war, hope is in the air and America is about to grow by millions more.
Le Petit Parisien, 1952
A Street Musician And A Little Girl
I would love to have this image up at home to remind me of how great it is to be alive.
Move cursor to center of pic, then right click scroll to "Save image as" then left click to save to pictures or downloads
Load More Replies...I saw this picture once with the legend: "Hard times require hard dancing" and I just loved it.
On The Caterpillar, Women's Pub Outing, Clapham, London, 1958
Interesting that the front photos differ from the last car so much that you wouldn't even think they were on the same ride
I've seen this used for a birthday card before! With the tag line, live life in the front car or similar. Good to know where the image was from!
Teenaged Boys Using Blanket To Toss Their Friend, Norma Baker, Into The Air On The Beach, 1948
Norma Jean Baker was Marilyn Monroe. So this is the pre-blond Marilyn we're seeing.
This photo of Marilyn was taken by LIFE photographer John Florea at Hermosa Beach, CA, US. July 1948.
Lifeguard tower, maybe. There were lifeguards in 1948, weren't there?
Load More Replies...There's a really cool surrealist edit of this white the blanket is the ocean
it's nice seeing this picture without the brazzers logo on it for a change
Those guys are men! Not teenagers! Norma looks lovely as a brunette!
In 1948 she was going by the name Marilyn and she has very fair hair. She also was in Ladies of the Chorus in 1948
For Paris Match, 1961
She seems as though she's pretending to walk on a tightrope, like a circus-performer (& her teddy is the audience). So cute. ☺️
Back when Ted was young and before he made a movie he was in Paris! 0.o (P.s. Ted from the movie “Ted")
Medic Feeding Baby Birds
A French Boy Introduces Himself To Indian Soldiers Who Had Just Arrived In France To Fight Alongside French And British Forces, Marseilles, 30th September 1914
Love the seriousness on the soldier's face, taking the little boy so seriously.
A Bear Cub Eats A Bowl Of Honey At A Cafe, 1950
She is wearing a lovely shirt! Some of the fashion back then is still relevant...
I love that we live in an era when fashion from the 1920s to the 2000s is relevant. I love all of it!
Load More Replies...A Soldier Comes Home From War, 1940s
Queen Elizabeth With Her Much-Loved Corgis Watching The Royal Windsor Horse Show, 1973
Clearly young at heart sitting on the ground with her precious dogs.
I've never seen her so "normal" just sitting there playing with her pups!
The Swing And Childhood
I remember when you could truly swing on a swing. And you would try to go so high that you'd flip over the other side!!
As a 6 year old I flipped off and landed face first, spread eagle, onto the rock pit.
The fall was part of the fun. And a learning experience-action=consequence, sometimes painful.
Load More Replies...Bath Time
Worker In Cosmetic Company Covered With Relics Of Lipstick Kisses To Prove That Dyes In Lipsticks Are Harmless, 1960
Woman And Dog Jumping Rope, 1940s
An American Soldier At An Advanced Allied Base With His Pet Kangaroo, 1942
Is this a composite photo!? The kangaroo's size seems off. Even cooler photo if it is.
Nuns From The Order Of St. Benedict Make A Splash In The Pacific Ocean While Vacationing At Grayland, 1960
This sure breaks the stereotype of strict nuns most folks have.... especially from back in the day!
Gunner Hector Morgan Returning Home, 1945
Wally Kilminster Enjoys A Foam Bath With His Dog In The Dressing Rooms At Wembley Stadium, 1934
An Officer Holds A Cigar With Two Canaries Perched On It, 1918
Circus Baby Yvonne Kruse Is Pushed In Her Pram By 'Kam', One Of Her Mother's Charges, On Their Arrival At Addison Road Station, London, From Their Winter Quarters At Ascot, 1958
That baby looks so sad :( :( :( but it is nice knowing that we are doing our best to try and get them out of that kind of life. WE ARE. THEIR VOICE!!!!
I thought you were talking about the human baby for a second there
Load More Replies...Nanson Of Netheroyd, A Champion Borzoi, Enjoys Pulling His Young Master Around In A Toy Car,1937
Young Soldier Holding A Little Piggy With Lid In London During WWII
He's thinking about all the bacon batches he's going to have soon!!! LOL
Ice Bucket Challenge, NYC, 1943
I do love the bathing suit fashion from these times. Like cute little dresses :)
I'd be so glad to see suits like these at the pools in the summer instead of the things they pass off as swimwear now.
Load More Replies...Def nice legs. Love a girl with meat on her bones. These days anorexic girls are what pass as models and it's horrible for young girls…
Sledding Down Art Hill After The 1904 World’s Fair Was Over, St Louis, 1904
A Couple Enjoys An Old-Fashioned Zipline, 1923
Freedom in flight! No safety measures back then except to hold on tight!😄😄
Children Pictured Decorating A Tree In The 1940s
Roller Girl Skating With Kids, 1970s
I dunno, but the boy on the right is trying to see it too!! ha haha
Load More Replies...Reminds me of the photo collection of Sweetheart Rink by Bill Yates. http://www.sweetheartrollerskatingrink.com/Fall-1972---Spring-1973/1/caption
The Future 32nd President Of The United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt, With His Cousin, 1910
A Young Woman Goes Sledding At Buxton In The English Peak District, 1904
Incorrect the first wristwatch as invented in 1868
Load More Replies...When you get on the sled and it doesn’t move because your on flat ground... 😂
A Woman In A Toweling Bikini Poses In A Funfair Hall Of Mirrors, Circa 1935
This would have been extreme risque for the 30's. So I gotta wonder just why she was wearing a bathing suit in a house of mirrors?
May have been in France or Italy, two pieces were more acceptable earlier there.
Load More Replies...Actually, the 1920's and 30's were very "swinging" times. Things got way more conservative in the 40's, 50's and early 60's.
She would have only been 9 when this photo was taken. Sorry
Load More Replies...Man Returns Home From Time In The Navy. Carrying Sister While Brother In Law Shoots Them With A Water Pistol
A Boy And His New Ball, Netherlands June 1966
It took so little to please a child in those days. Try giving a child 'just' a ball today and watch out for the tantrum!
Not all children are too spoiled to be happy with a ball.
Load More Replies...Sai Gon, Vietnam In 1993
South Vietnamese, especially those that fled the country, still call Ho Chi Minh City, Saigon. They never refer to it as Ho Chi Minh City.
Load More Replies...Vietnamese here, that place still call at Saigon, and the HoChiMinh is for a whole city.
Looks like water, sun damage under the glass of the frame.
Load More Replies...Four Pints Today Please, Mr. Milkman (c. 1968, Altrincham, Cheshire, Uk)
Me, Sitting On The Rail At Niagra Falls In 1956.
Taking His Cousin For A Wheelbarrow Ride 1948 Corley Moor, U.k.
This is my dad, he loved his family and was always kind to everyone. It's not cool to kind to your younger female cousin but he didn't care.
The things children found enjoyment in in those days is just brilliant.
Sitting On An Original Turtle Brought Back From The Galapagos By Darwin
The turtle was Harriet, who passed away at Steve Irwins zoo, not that long ago, at 168 years old.
I don't know if it's heartwarming or heartbreaking to see this, because the turtle's been taken from its natural habitat, but the girl looks so happy and the turtle seems healthy enough
The girl was happy, and Harriet's fame meant that more of her kind were protected.
Load More Replies...Turkish Women In 1930, Became One Of The First Women To Be Elected For Mayorships
Those dresses and shoes are NOT from the 1930's. 1950's, more likely.
Those dresses and shoes are NOT from the 1930's. 1950's, more likely.
Things in the Middle east have gone so far backwards recently. What a shame!
Guess I Was Meant To Love Home Remodeling And Construction Industry .. Me In 1951 Helping My Dad With New Garage !!
The Best Rocking Horse Ever, Bangladesh,1963
Having My Picture Taken By A Traveling Photographe With A Horse 1965
These were popular in California i think,Because my mom has a picture of her and her brother In this same style from the 1960's and one of my grandma from the 1940's
There's a b&w photo in our family of my little sister on a b&w pony with a prop cowboy hat and vest on, circa 1961.
Me & Santa, Dayton Ohio 1971 Or 72
Young Students Celebrating The National Sovereignty And Children's Day In Turkey, April 24, 1970s
No reason. Turkish and Hebrew also have a common word Shamata->Şamata. It means "racket, uproar".
Load More Replies...Ataturk On A Swing
1930's England - After A Days Work
After a hard days work, we have a hard evenings s rowing, such energy.
Found Memories
Me 1982 , 'communist Pioneer' Uniform Romania
Summer Fun In The Sprinkler ..about 1950
My Nan And Pop Sydney Street Shot 1940's
Happy Couple, Ca.1970
Family Outing To Fantasy Farm 1988
1960's Rocking Horse (brad Lawrence, Owner)
My Parents On Their Wedding Day, 1971
Italian-american Teen, Al Amendolare, With His Father's Truck
In 1938, Grandfather (first From Right) And Grandmother(4th From Left) With Their Family. The Smiling Little Girl, Second From Left Is My Mother, Now She Is 80.
Sitting On The Lawn Of Our Very First House In Canada, 1956.
Yong Couple She Was From Italy He Was Born In The Us. She Is Now 105 Years Old. 1929 Or 1930
My Mom And Her Sisters. Christmas In St.albans, W.v. In The '50's.
Due Amiche
1992 Dad Back From Desert Storm
Home Shopping With Joy - 2007
for me the picture store a lot of memories, a good moment in a hard time... so historic? yes it is, for me personally...
Load More Replies...indeed more precisely in indramayu, was taken by the time she returned from grocery shopping from traditional markets and one of my friends took a picture
Load More Replies...My Siblings And I Playing Flag Football In Our Big Front Yard, Circa 1973, Salem, Oregon
Little Girl And Her Dad, Detroit 2017
My Dad Pretending To Pour A Pepsi On My Aunt 1970
Me , Excited On My 4th Birthday!!
My Mom Pregnant With My Brother, Standing With My Aunt, Uncle, And Grandma 1975
Mother And I 1972 Salt Lakes Bc
My Great Nana Simm , As A Teenager , Florrie Samuels, With The Gorgeous Hat.late 1890's
Easter 1986
Catch Me, If You Can
Really? So Old Am I?
A Girl (me) With Her Daddy, Somewhere Between 1995-1997
Little Girl Holding Magazine -- 1920-something
My Mom At Hollywood Blvd In 1959
Graduation 1957. Nashua Nh
that's my mom on the right in the cap & gown; her sis on the left. :)
Raf Officer T. W. Hudspith Enjoying Some Light Reading, 1945
First Grocery Cart Ride
Thumbs Up With A Kiss For Being My Bday 1998
Teresa Davis And Her 2 Daughter, Oh, 2002.
oh how much life was so simple back then and people were happier and familes working together sharing love
I think the debate about what counts as "historic/historical" is very interesting. But honestly, as a person who studies the "history of religions, I have to chip in to say that anything that has occurred in the past counts as history. So, if it is yesterday, it is historic, strictly speaking.
oh how much life was so simple back then and people were happier and familes working together sharing love
I think the debate about what counts as "historic/historical" is very interesting. But honestly, as a person who studies the "history of religions, I have to chip in to say that anything that has occurred in the past counts as history. So, if it is yesterday, it is historic, strictly speaking.
