Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
then open in external browser
and click "Open in External Browser" 
Old photos have a magical way of transporting us to another time, making history feel oddly personal and vivid. Historic pictures serve as windows into the past, revealing glimpses of everyday life from long ago. The Instagram account @ilovehistory115 is dedicated to reviving vintage snapshots, bringing old-time charm into our feed. Today Pandas, we’ve compiled some of their best photos that might give you a daily dose of history with a side of nostalgia.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Mississippi's First Interracial Couple- August 3, 1970
Serial pacifist 1 year ago
I am sure they are not the first interracial couple, but the first one legally recognized. Still shameful it took all the way into the last third of the last century.
RELATED:
#2
Fred Rogers Performing A "Bedside Solo Show" For 7-Year Old Beth Usher During Her Coma After Undergoing Surgery For "Rasmussen’s Encephalitis" At The John Hopkins Childrens' Hospital In Baltimore, Maryland, 1987
Heir of Durin 1 year ago
I found a nice story on this one. It’s worth a quick read! https://www.brainandlife.org/the-magazine/online-exclusives/speak-uphow-mister-rogers-saved-my-life/
#3
1969: Margaret Hamilton Next To The Navigation Software She And Her Team At Mit Wrote For The Apollo Program
The saying that a picture is worth a thousand words certainly stands true when it comes to historical photos. They encapsulate entire eras, offering us a glimpse into the lives, emotions, and experiences of people who lived long before us.
Every one of these images, whether it's an ancient snapshot of a packed theater for a play in 1910 or a portrait of two best friends, has a backstory that can enlighten, uplift, and stir thinking.
#4
Serbian Soldier Sleeps With His Father Who Came To Visit Him On The Front Line Near Belgrade, 1914/1915
LittleWombat 1 year ago
I am stunned each time I see this photo that this elderly man would come to the front lines to see his boy. So much love!
#5
WWII Veteran Dean Mccandless From The 505 Pir Of The 82nd Airborne Division. He Made All Four Combat Jumps (Sicily, Italy, Normandy, And The Netherlands)
#6
Family Portrait After W-W-1
These images serve as powerful reminders of our collective past, helping us to understand the world as it was and how it has evolved. Instagram pages like ilovehistory115 offer us a tangible link to history that books alone might not provide.
Sometimes, such photos also play a crucial role in preserving and transmitting cultural identity. For many families, old photographs are cherished heirlooms, passed down through generations as visual records of their ancestors. These images help people connect with their heritage, reminding them of where they come from and the values that have been passed down through the years.
#7
Woman Cutting Her Birthday Cake In Iran, 1973
Mark Alexander 1 year ago
The US right-wing extremists want us to follow Iran's example. I know Iranians from this era. They are great Americans. Because they know.
#9
A Soldier Shares His Food With Two Dutch Kids, 1945
On a larger scale, photos of historical events or cultural milestones help to preserve the identity of entire communities or nations. For instance, images of the iconic celebration in Times Square on V-J Day in 1945, when the end of World War II was announced, capture a moment of collective joy and relief. These photos immortalize a time when the world came together to celebrate peace and victory.
#10
The Old Cincinnati Library Before Being Demolished, 1874-1955
Kira Okah 1 year ago
Of course this has come up again =.= The building was dangerous and unfit for purpose. Too small, inadequate lighting, zero ventilation, coal dust everywhere, and the stacks would tip onto people so only staff could get them from some places. The new building fixed all of these problems.
#11
An American Soldier Wears A Hand Lettered “War Is Hell” Slogan On His Helmet, Vietnam, 1965
#12
The "Hasanlu Lovers" Died Around 800 B.c. And Were Discovered In 1972. They Died In What Seems To Be An Embrace Or Kiss, And Remained That Way For 2800 Years
When it comes to education, historical photos are invaluable resources. They bring history to life in ways that textbooks often can't, offering a vivid window into the past.
#13
Young Girl Wearing Prosthetic Legs, England, 1890-1910
Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 1 year ago
I wonder how well they worked. Definitely better than nothing.
#14
This Is Maud Wagner, Who Is Widely Believed To Be The First Female Professional Tattoo Artist In The Us, 1907
#15
Portrait Of John Smith, Also Known As The White Wolf, Elderly Native American Chippewa Of Cass Lake, Minnesota, In Traditional Dress, 1914. (Probably Born Between 1822 And 1826, Although Presumably As Early As 1784; Died In February 6, 1922)
Phil Thompson 1 year ago (edited)
We're looking at possible Rhinophyma or similar disease, and 80+ years in the sun, not someone over 100. It was "disease and not age that made him look the way he did" -- Federal Commissioner of Indian Enrollment Ransom J. Powell.
#16
The Night They Ended Prohibition, December 5th, 1933
The National Archives in the U.S. has digitized over 300,000 photos from its vast collections, making them easily accessible to the public. These images have sparked a surge of interest in historical research, allowing people to explore and connect with history in a more personal and engaging way. By visually bridging the gap between past and present, these photographs help us understand and appreciate history like never before.
#17
Roland, A 4,000 Pound Elephant Seal, Getting A Bath From His Handler At The Berlin Zoo. This Photo Was Taken In 1930
Phil Thompson 1 year ago (edited)
*Her handler. Males have pronounced trunk-like proboscises, which is why they're called Elephant Seals (not because of their size)
#18
Portrait Of Mother And Child During The Great Depression, 1939
#19
Penn Station, NY 1943. A Soldier's Farewell To His Wife
#20
Father Passes Out When He Meets His Triplets For The First Time, 1946
#21
French Soldiers Passing By A Dog Wearing Googles And Smoking A Pipe, 1915
One of the most profound ways historical photos enrich our lives is by creating an emotional connection to the past. When we see a photograph of a great-grandparent, a historical figure, or an ordinary person from decades or centuries ago, we’re reminded of our shared humanity.
#22
During The Spanish Flu Of 1918 In California
#23
Eunice Hancock, A 21-Year-Old Woman, Operates A Compressed-Air Grinder In A Midwest Aircraft Plant During W-W-II. August 1942
#24
Photo From The Restaurant Windows On The World, Which Sat Atop New York City's World Trade Center's North Tower, 1976
Alger G. Nava 1 year ago
I was right there New Years Eve 1997. Put my forehead to the window and looked down. Just thought I'd share.
These images show us that, despite the passage of time, certain experiences, emotions, and struggles remain universal. They can evoke a sense of empathy, nostalgia, or even inspiration, reminding us that we are part of a larger human story that spans generations.
#25
Two Girls Dancing In The Streets Of London, 1954
#26
A German Immigrant Girl Waits To Be Processed At Ellis Island - New York, 1926
#27
Japanese-American College Students During Their Relocation To An Internment Camp. Sacramento, 1942
Rebekah Fuentes 1 year ago
Two very cool kats in an absolutely horrible situation. I seriously want to know what happened to these dudes.
Such photos are, in many ways, the visual threads that weave together the fabric of our shared history. Which of these pictures resonated with you the most? Be sure to share this post with someone who would enjoy it!
#28
Homecoming Prisoner - Vienna, Austria Ca 1946
Bettye McKee 1 year ago
Carrying his prosthesis in his bag. Perhaps it is uncomfortable or he just doesn't want to damage it.
#29
A Boy Shows Off His Ray Gun, 1950s
#30
"Do Your Bit! Skate To Work" Women Of The Uso Promoting Gas Rationing During WWII. New York City, 1940's
#31
Soviet Peasants Listen To The Radio For The First Time, 1928
#32
German First World War Veteran Hans Lange With A Portrait Of Himself As A 19-Year-Old In 1918. Photograph Taken In 1998
Rebelliousslug 1 year ago
I don’t know why it feels so shocking to me that a WWI vet was alive in 1998. It really is difficult to comprehend the passage of time sometimes.
#33
A Hippie Girl Selling Roadside Flowers In Oklahoma, 1973
#34
Patricia O'keefe, 8-Year-Old Carries Wayne Long, A 200-Pound (90 Kg) Man, On His Back In An Unusual Display Of Strength, 1940
#35
Photos Of Victorian Women Who Never Cut Her Hair, 1860-1900
Colleen Glim 1 year ago
I have days when I want to chop my own hair off and it’s only waist length. I can’t imagine how long it would take to wash and dry hers
#36
The Tallest (Cornelius Bruns), Shortest And Fattest (Cannon Colossus) Man Of Europe Playing A Game Of Cards, 1913
#37
Hugo Gernsback Is An Inventor Of Tele-Glasses Television-Glasses. VR Technologies Of 20th Century
#38
A Member Of The New York Police Force Hangs From A Girder, 1920
#39
The Italian Royal Family, 1905
#40
A Circus Strong Woman Balances A Piano On Her Chest, 1920
#41
Teen Boy With Hand Over Girl Eyes Surprising Her With Box Of Valentine’s Day Candy, 1940s
#42
Estonia, 1913
#43
Palm Beach Florida, 1920
#44
Robert Earl Hughes (1926–1958) Heaviest Person Recorded At 1,071 Lbs, Walked Unaided
#45
A Circus Performer In An Aquarium Car With Crocodiles, Berlin, 1933
#46
Blind, 1916
The Starsong Princess 1 year ago
She is a licensed beggar in New York- note the metal badge she is wearing. Begging was illegal without a license. This was common in many cities. she would be considered one of the “deserving poor” and allowed to access other charity. However, UK, people like her would be sent to the workhouse instead of being allowed to beg if they did not have family to look after them.
#47
Netherlands, 1919
Rebekah Fuentes 1 year ago
I don't know what I'm looking at. Are those hats with just the bangs? I'm truly curious peeps, not trying to be a AH.
#48
Victorian Train Station, 1930
#50
First King Of Saudi Arabia Ibn Saud With His Sons Prince Faisal (On The Left) And Prince Saud (On The Right) In The Early 1950s
Add New Image
Explore more of these tags
What do you think ?
Justin Tyme 1 year ago
Bored Panda Staff: "Let's repost this photo series every week. It's easier than finding new content."
Mike F 1 year ago
Well, it gives Elle Roque something to bark about, so there's that.
Load More Replies...
Ashley Elmore Drew 1 year ago
I'm really irritated by the unproofed titles. At least let a human scan it before rolling it out.
Justin Tyme 1 year ago
Bored Panda Staff: "Let's repost this photo series every week. It's easier than finding new content."
Mike F 1 year ago
Well, it gives Elle Roque something to bark about, so there's that.
Load More Replies... Ashley Elmore Drew 1 year ago
I'm really irritated by the unproofed titles. At least let a human scan it before rolling it out.
You May Like 49 Fascinating Photos Revealing What The World’s Capitals Looked Like Way Before Modern Times 50 Historical Images With Backstories You Might Not Have Known 43 Of The Oldest Surviving Pics That Give Us A Glimpse Into The Past
Viktorija Strelciunaite
Ilona Baliūnaitė
Eligijus Sinkunas
Related on Bored Panda
