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History isn't just about the past. By learning about those distant people and events, we also understand what shaped the present.

And while nothing will replace sound academic literature, every once in a while, it's healthy to balance it out with other forms of content, reinvigorating our passion for the subject.

That's why we at Bored Panda like covering online projects like 'Weird History' or 'Everyday History Facts.'

This time, we're inviting you to take a look at 'Amazing History', an Instagram account that focuses on the visuals and shares lesser-known historical pictures in an attempt to broaden its followers' horizons. Here are some of the gems it has shared so far.

More info: Instagram

#2

50 Years Ago They Tried To Stop Katherine Switzer From Running The Boston Marathon Because She Was A Woman. Last Month, At 70, She Ran It Again Wearing The Same Number

50 Years Ago They Tried To Stop Katherine Switzer From Running The Boston Marathon Because She Was A Woman. Last Month, At 70, She Ran It Again Wearing The Same Number

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According to author, historian, and storyteller from the UK Dave Tonge, history can offer a lot to a person.

"It really depends on the type of history being taught," Tonge told Bored Panda. "I, like so many people, was fed a never-ending list of dates — of great battles and Kings and Queens. In other words, the history of the so-called 'great and good'. It's the kind of history that drives many away from the subject because it's 'elite' history that they cannot relate to."

#4

On January 19, 1981, Heavyweight Champ Muhammad Ali Became So Upset When He Found Out That A Vietnam Veteran Was About To Commit Suicide Near His Home, That He Dashed To The Scene In Just Four Minutes. Not Only Did Ali Prevent The Man From Killing Himself, He Also Personally Drove Him To The Hospital

On January 19, 1981, Heavyweight Champ Muhammad Ali Became So Upset When He Found Out That A Vietnam Veteran Was About To Commit Suicide Near His Home, That He Dashed To The Scene In Just Four Minutes. Not Only Did Ali Prevent The Man From Killing Himself, He Also Personally Drove Him To The Hospital

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Tonge, however, has always been interested "in the history of the common people (as presented in court documents, for example) and also in the history of riots and rebellions, where the poorer folk whose interests were not represented by the Church and State, rose up against the ruling classes."

"That's why I also got into storytelling; in the folk tales that people shared in the alehouse and by their own hearth at home, again we hear poorer voices coming through and learn something of their ideas, dreams, and beliefs that often conflicted with that of the ruling classes," he explained.

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#5

1940s Polio Outbreak

1940s Polio Outbreak

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Paul C.
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Who Panda 420. And thank goodness there was no internet idiots to tell people not to take it.

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Elsie
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To be honest the most under appreciated job is customer service Like the grocery workers and any other worker who served us all during the pandemic who risked their health

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Walking On Sunshine
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And people were so grateful to receive it. I had family members with polio. Just makes you sick at the ignorance today.

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Sam Kunz
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It was a great moment in history. Dr. Jonas Salk. One vaccine. For life. One shot. I trust that. Covid Vaccine? Oh take this one, you are safe. Wait, now you need this one. Now you are safe. Wait, you need this one now, but we aren't sure. No thanks, I'm not a guinea pig. Let me know when it's perfected.Jonas Salk created the polio vaccine with less than half the tech we have today. That's why people don't trust the vaccine.

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Mark Karol-Chik
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And during the Covid outbreak people screamed about remote learning and children wearing masks, have we come so far to stoop so low?

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Walking On Sunshine
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Here in the United States, we saw a whole lot of parents that don't want to parent their own children. It was disgusting.

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June Gem
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Unlike today when we have a bunch of jerks that prefer "freedom" over common sense!!!!

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Hazel Beswick
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1383764/ Due to the deaths caused by the first polio vaccine, protocols were put in place for testing, which were totally disregarded when "developing" the covid vaccine. History repeats itself because of lazy sheep who do as they are told and don't think for themselves.

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DelvianBlue
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why didn't someone just tell the virus that it was a hoax? Could have saved a lot of lives./s

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Michele Wright
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And the attitude was 'we're all in this together'.. Not 'how can I exploit people's irrational fears & lack of knowledge to cause Darwinian responses so I can stay in power no matter how many people die'.

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Walking On Sunshine
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Republicans do not give one s**t about their fellow Americans. They have definitely proven this in the last four years.

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Whowhatwherewhy?
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And who did we blame polio on? Someone educate me here! And yes, thank you science and thank you Lord for giving us science and scientists.

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Shawn Upchurch
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wonder how many "freedom fighters" there were protesting and refusing to take that vaccine?

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Huddo's sister
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My grandad was one of those in the worst outbreak in Australia in 1937. He had to do remote learning and this involved staying within his farm property with some of his brothers who were school age and having his older (adult) brother bring work for them from school each day. They rejoiced when they were allowed out and again many years later when the vaccine was developed. By that time he had children of his own and they all got theirs. My dad has a scar from his vaccine, as he wasn't one of the lucky ones to get an oral one on a sugar cube (and he is afraid of needles too!).

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Suzanne Clark
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My second grade teach told us that she knew someone who contracted polio and it was because he drank cola and ate potato chips all the time. Even though I was only 7, I knew that was nuts.

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KittyKat
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And now, there were students making fun or pranks to their teachers who are trying so hard to do online classes for them to learn.

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Stew
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow! So they had classes hosted on air. And adults could learn a lot too. And the underprivileged who couldn't pay fees for education

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D Gangwere
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This was about 1962. My mother took me and brother to get the polio sugar cube. She had personally witnessed the terror of polio.

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Jeff Bunn
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We could do that now!! Especially with more radio stations now and satellites everywhere!!

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Sharon Dean
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was born in 1942, I never knew this....My daughter is a teacher's aide in special ed classes, she taught via zoom, this year and last!!!

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Don't Look
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mother's cousin got polio back then. His twin brother didn't. Both brothers are still doing rather well today but I guarantee if he could have had the vaccine he would have taken it.

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Cass Malone
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel like this would've been so much easier than stupid Zoom meetings for the kiddos

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Faith Hurst-Bilinski
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Both then and during the Spanish flu kids learned by radio and my entire class for the past years couldn't function through 2 hours of online learning and now in person learning because of the online learning. Grit is no longer a thing.

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Katie Foss
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is wrong. It was in 1937. https://theconversation.com/remote-learning-isnt-new-radio-instruction-in-the-1937-polio-epidemic-143797

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Jaekry
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If only there was a vaccine for corona so kids can be taught in person again.

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Amanda Nolting
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2 years ago

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Emeraldunicorn
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Very interesting! Will add, COVID-19 shot isn't technically a vaccine as by definition a vaccine prevents infection. COVID has been around for YEARS. I understand people have passed, but people pass everyday from all kinds of preventable things. It's the government and media that induce fearmongering to keep it alive. Gauranteed that if the media and government never said a word except it was a bad flu season, no one would even think twice. Polio is a different type of disease and is 💯 preventable by vaccination...whilst COVID is not 💯 preventable. To add to it, all you have to do is follow the money. Polio vaccine founder basically gave it away to save lives. Does anyone know how much pharmaceutical companies and medical supply companies have profited since 2020 because of this?

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Whodathunkit
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As an ICU nurse who took care of Covid patients, I can assure you that Covid reaked havoc on us. No one would have ever acceped the notion it was a bad flu year. However, I absolutely agree with you that this disease has been monitized and politicized.

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New Everywhere
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the type of imagery/knowledge that should have been reiterated at the beginning of lockdown. Remind people that we've been through this before and here's what we know works.

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YinzerGhost
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2 years ago

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FAKE NEWS POLIO IS JUST A MEANS TO CONTROL US NO MASKS NO RADIO LEARNING

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#6

Madam CJ Walker in her Ford

Madam CJ Walker in her Ford

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Kayla J
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She sold hair care and cosmetics exclusively for black women which went out of business in the early 80s but has been revived and sold at Sephora. https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2020/03/self-made-madam-cj-walker-company-true-story

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History is such a vast subject, one person can't possibly know it all. So Tong believes that its enthusiasts should focus "on periods, or rather events that lead to great changes, especially with regard to ideas and beliefs as well as leading to great social change."

"In medieval times, that might be events like the Black Death, which killed nearly half the population of Europe, but in doing so resulted in momentous changes for those who were left," the historian highlighted. "For example, fewer people had greater opportunities to escape the feudal system that had seen poor families tied to one master and the land upon which they were born."

#8

This Is A 392-Year-Old Greenland Shark That Was Recently Discovered In The Arctic Ocean. He's Been Wandering The Ocean Since The Early 1600s!

This Is A 392-Year-Old Greenland Shark That Was Recently Discovered In The Arctic Ocean. He's Been Wandering The Ocean Since The Early 1600s!

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#9

Polish Girl, Lidka, 21, Member Of The Resistance, During Warsaw Uprising 1944. Survived The War, Died In 1993

Polish Girl, Lidka, 21, Member Of The Resistance, During Warsaw Uprising 1944. Survived The War, Died In 1993

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#10

Hedgehog

Hedgehog

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Kayla J
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is at the Louvre and part of a collection http://www.payvand.com/news/16/dec/1124.html

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When it comes to the UK in particular, Tonge thinks momentous events like the Reformation and the English Civil war are also important because "not only do they mark changes to our religious and political system, but also they see poorer folk beginning to formulate their own ideas and beliefs separate to the church and state. "

#11

Two Brave Armenian Women Pose With Their Rifles Before Going To Battle Against The Ottomans - 1895

Two Brave Armenian Women Pose With Their Rifles Before Going To Battle Against The Ottomans - 1895

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#12

Joe Medicine Crow

Joe Medicine Crow

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Agnes Jekyll
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He lived an amazing life, and died at 102. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Medicine_Crow

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#13

Three-Year-Old Peggy Kennedy, A Polio Patient, Smiles At Therapy Ducks In A Pail Of Water. 1956

Three-Year-Old Peggy Kennedy, A Polio Patient, Smiles At Therapy Ducks In A Pail Of Water. 1956

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#14

Letter From A Trapped Coal Miner Says Goodbye To His Wife, 1902

Letter From A Trapped Coal Miner Says Goodbye To His Wife, 1902

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Kayla J
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fraterville Mine disaster Jacob Vowell and his son Elbert along with about 200 other miners were killed "“Ellen, darling, goodbye for us both. Elbert said the Lord has saved him. We are all praying for air to support us, but it is getting so bad without any air. Ellen I want you to live right and come to heaven. Raise the children the best you can. Oh how I wish to be with you, goodbye. Bury me and Elbert in the same grave by little Eddie. Godbye Ellen, goodbye Lily, goodbye Jemmie, goodbye Horace. We are together. Is 25 minutes after two. There is a few of us alive yet. Jake and Elbert Oh God for one more breath. Ellen remember me as long as you live Goodbye darling.”

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When it comes to choosing the right sources to get started, Tonge always recommends older history books aimed at school children.

"I'm talking about textbooks from the 1950s and 60s, because they tended to have a lot more detail than the very basic children's history books of today and often refer to original sources many of which are included," the historian explained.

#15

A Reusable Shopping List From The 1920s

A Reusable Shopping List From The 1920s

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#17

225-Million-Year-Old Petrified Opal Tree Trunk Located In Arizona

225-Million-Year-Old Petrified Opal Tree Trunk Located In Arizona

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#18

Job Hunting 1930's

Job Hunting 1930's

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But Tonge's collections like Tudor Folk Tales or Medieval Folk Tales for Children are also great choices because their characters often relate to real historical figures or archetypes from various time periods and everything is based on legit historical documents.

But if it's more memes that you're currently after, check out our piece on History Memes Explained, a cool social media project that not only collects but also dissects the best memes about our past.

#19

Chief Iron Tail

Chief Iron Tail

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#20

A Peruvian Elongated Skull With A Metal Plate Surgically Implanted, Estimated To Be From About 2000 Years Ago. The Broken Bone Surrounding The Repair Is Tightly Fused Together Indicating It Was A Successful Surgery

A Peruvian Elongated Skull With A Metal Plate Surgically Implanted, Estimated To Be From About 2000 Years Ago. The Broken Bone Surrounding The Repair Is Tightly Fused Together Indicating It Was A Successful Surgery

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Gaby Almodovar
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't know, why are most people today thinking, that our ancestors 2-3 or more thousand years ago, were "dumber" as the 21st century people. Sure, the technology was not as advanced, like today's is, but they had the knowledge.

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#21

Two Guards From Delhi Durbar With James Ricalton, An American 🇺🇸 Photographer Who Visited India In 1903

Two Guards From Delhi Durbar With James Ricalton, An American 🇺🇸 Photographer Who Visited India In 1903

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#23

This Is The Rms Queen Elizabeth Pulling Into New York With Returning Us Servicemen In 1945. Finally Ww2 Is Over

This Is The Rms Queen Elizabeth Pulling Into New York With Returning Us Servicemen In 1945. Finally Ww2 Is Over

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#24

1500 Year Old Tree, Located In South Africa. The Oldest Living Thing On Earth

1500 Year Old Tree, Located In South Africa. The Oldest Living Thing On Earth

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Full Name
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is not the oldest tree. There are several trees considerably older.

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However, if it's more memes that you're after, check out our piece on History Memes Explained, a cool social media project that not only collects but also dissects the best memes about our past.

#27

This Skeleton Of A Roman Man, Who Was Crushed By A Flying Stone Slab During The Eruption Of Mount Vesuvius Nearly 2000 Years Ago, Was Discovered In May Of 2018

This Skeleton Of A Roman Man, Who Was Crushed By A Flying Stone Slab During The Eruption Of Mount Vesuvius Nearly 2000 Years Ago, Was Discovered In May Of 2018

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

I hate it when this happens.. and you remember that you forgot to put your trousers on.

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#28

South Dakota 126 Years Ago. Indian Chiefs Who Had Council With General Miles And Settled The Indian War. 1. Standing Bull, 2. Bear Who Stands And Looks Back, 3. Has The Big White Horse, 4. White Tail, 5. Living Bear, 6. Little Thunder, 7. Bull Dog, 8. High Hawk, 9. Lame, 10. Eagle Pipe

South Dakota 126 Years Ago. Indian Chiefs Who Had Council With General Miles And Settled The Indian War. 1. Standing Bull, 2. Bear Who Stands And Looks Back, 3. Has The Big White Horse, 4. White Tail, 5. Living Bear, 6. Little Thunder, 7. Bull Dog, 8. High Hawk, 9. Lame, 10. Eagle Pipe

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#29

Fossil Trees As Tall As Modern-Day Redwoods Have Been Found In Northern Thailand. This Petrified Trunk Measures 72.2 Meters In Length, Suggesting That The Original Tree Would Have Been Over 100 Meters Tall. Its Approximate Age Is 800,000 Years

Fossil Trees As Tall As Modern-Day Redwoods Have Been Found In Northern Thailand. This Petrified Trunk Measures 72.2 Meters In Length, Suggesting That The Original Tree Would Have Been Over 100 Meters Tall. Its Approximate Age Is 800,000 Years

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#30

Just Rare In 1964, Ringo Starr Snapped A Photo Of Some High School Students Who Had Skipped Class To See The Beatles During Their First Trip To The United States

Just Rare In 1964, Ringo Starr Snapped A Photo Of Some High School Students Who Had Skipped Class To See The Beatles During Their First Trip To The United States

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#32

Jacob Miller

Jacob Miller

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#33

Young Oyster Shuckers, Josie, Six Years Old, Bertha, Six Years Old, Sophie, Ten Years Old, Port Royal, South Carolina, 1912. Work Began At 4 Am. Photo By Lewis Hine

Young Oyster Shuckers, Josie, Six Years Old, Bertha, Six Years Old, Sophie, Ten Years Old, Port Royal, South Carolina, 1912. Work Began At 4 Am. Photo By Lewis Hine

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Otter
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Child labor in the US was stopped during the Great Depression of the 1930s, to make more jobs available to adults. Nobody in power had much of a problem with children working full-time, instead of going to school.

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#34

Union Blue And Confederate Gray Veterans Reunite At Gettysburg In The Year 1913 — Standing By “The Bloody Angle” Where Pickett’s Charge Took Place 50 Years Earlier And Over 3,000 Soldiers On Both Sides Lost Their Lives — Now They Clasp Hands Over The Stone Wall As Brothers

Union Blue And Confederate Gray Veterans Reunite At Gettysburg In The Year 1913 — Standing By “The Bloody Angle” Where Pickett’s Charge Took Place 50 Years Earlier And Over 3,000 Soldiers On Both Sides Lost Their Lives — Now They Clasp Hands Over The Stone Wall As Brothers

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The Starsong Princess
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Civil War reunions, attended by both sides, were very common at the end of the 19th century and early 20th. Former soldiers would meet up with friends they had not seen in decades and formerly reconcile with the other side. The last great reunion was in 1938 on the 75th anniversary of Gettysburg.

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#35

A German Woman With Her All Belonging Sitting Alone In War Ruined Cologne. 1945

A German Woman With Her All Belonging Sitting Alone In War Ruined Cologne. 1945

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#36

A Triple Decker Bus. Germany, Berlin, 1926

A Triple Decker Bus. Germany, Berlin, 1926

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#37

US Veterans Of Four Different Wars, That Lived In The Same Town Of Geary, Oklahoma - 1940s

US Veterans Of Four Different Wars, That Lived In The Same Town Of Geary, Oklahoma - 1940s

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Katherine Boag
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These days to be a veteran of 4 US wars, you only need to have 'served' 1 year...

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#39

Archaeologist And A Child From Pompeii

Archaeologist And A Child From Pompeii

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#40

In 1895 In Paris, An Express Train Overruns A Buffer Stop, Crosses More Than 30 Meters Of Concourse Before Plummeting Through A Window At Gare Montparnasse

In 1895 In Paris, An Express Train Overruns A Buffer Stop, Crosses More Than 30 Meters Of Concourse Before Plummeting Through A Window At Gare Montparnasse

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Note: this post originally had 74 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.