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Ever since the invention of the camera in the early 1800s, photographers have documented everything, from wars and protest marches to scientific discoveries, and even space landings, allowing everyone to, in a way, "attend" these special events.

The Facebook page 'Old Photographs' has collected a wide selection of such interesting historical moments—big and small. So let's take a look at some of its top posts, after all, chances are, each of us will find something that will help us to see the past in a new light.

#1

It’s That Easy. Mutual Respect.

It’s that easy. Mutual respect.

Old Photographs Report

#2

75 Years Ago Today Was The Liberation Of Auschwitz. To Forget Would Be To Say These Faces, The Faces Of Millions Of Others Didn't Matter. Never Forget. Teach The Children To Remember.

On 27 January 1945 was the liberation of Auschwitz. To forget would be to say these faces, the faces of millions of others didn't matter. Never forget. Teach the children to remember.

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kaylaj avatar
Kayla J
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some of the survivors reunited in 2005. You can click on their names to get more of their stories and Gabi Neumann's who did extensive research including giving a background on the picture which included "Q: Tell me about the famous photograph in which you appear. A: The picture was taken a few days after liberation. I don’t remember exactly how many. It is a completely staged photograph. The Russians walked around the blocks calling on us to be photographed. My sister didn’t want to be photographed, so she isn’t in the picture. I was curious, and allowed my picture to be taken. You can see that they dressed us in prisoner uniforms that were a few sizes too big for us. Underneath the prisoner uniforms we wore the rags that we had. But because of this picture, I found my family. The Russians took my details and that’s how my mother found my sister and me later on." https://www.yadvashem.org/yv/en/exhibitions/through-the-lens/auschwitz-child-survivors.asp

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#4

Laughter Has Sounded The Same Throughout Generations And Languages. (Unidentified Woman And Child, Jemez Pueblo New Mexico, By Jesse Nusbaum)

Laughter has sounded the same throughout generations and languages.
(Unidentified woman and child, Jemez Pueblo New Mexico, by Jesse Nusbaum)

Old Photographs Report

#5

Betty White In Her Los Angeles Home With Her Dog, 1952.

Betty White in her Los Angeles home with her dog, 1952.

Old Photographs Report

#6

Every Group Has A Lead Singer.

Every group has a lead singer.

Old Photographs Report

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#8

Some Of Our Favorite Old Photographs Are Merely Everyday People In Everyday Life.

Some of our favorite old photographs are merely everyday people in everyday life.

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#9

A Family Portrait. Gainesville, Florida - 1900. Source: State Library And Archives Of Florida

A family portrait. Gainesville, Florida - 1900.

Source: State Library and Archives of Florida

Old Photographs Report

#10

This Picture Circa 1900s Shows Knife Grinders Also Called Ventres Jaunes (‘Yellow Stomachs’ Referring To The Yellow Dust Released By The Grinding Wheel). By Laying Face Down, These Yellow Stomachs Would Save Their Backs From Being Hunched Over All Day. Workers Were Encourage To Bring Their Dogs To Not Only Keep Them Company But To Act As Heaters To Keep Them Warm By Having The Dogs Lie On Their Legs. (Photo Is From The Web-Site Of, French Knife Maker, Claude Dozorme - ” The Wolf ”).

This picture circa 1900s shows knife grinders also called ventres jaunes (‘yellow stomachs’ referring to the yellow dust released by the grinding wheel). By laying face down, these yellow stomachs would save their backs from being hunched over all day. Workers were encourage to bring their dogs to not only keep them company but to act as heaters to keep them warm by having the dogs lie on their legs.
(Photo is from the web-site of, French knife maker, Claude Dozorme - ” The Wolf ”).

Old Photographs Report

#11

A Very Moving Caption: "This Is A Mass Burial At Sea, On The Uss Intrepid In 1944 Following A Kamikaze Attack. I've Never Seen This Photo, And I Figure Most Of You Probably Haven't Either. I Posted So People Can See, And Remember The Incredible Sacrifices Made On Our Behalf."

A very moving caption:

"This is a mass burial at sea, on the USS Intrepid in 1944 following a kamikaze attack. I've never seen this photo, and I figure most of you probably haven't either. I posted so people can see, and remember the incredible sacrifices made on our behalf."

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LisaMarie
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"All war is a symptom of man's failure as a thinking animal”. John Steinbeck

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#12

This Simple Moment Is Brought To You By 1930.

This simple moment is brought to you by 1930.

Old Photographs Report

#13

There Is Modern Beauty In This Photograph Of Lota Cheek Taken 99 Years Ago.

There is modern beauty in this photograph of Lota Cheek taken 99 years ago.

Old Photographs Report

#14

Animals Bring A Type Of Joy Not Found In Other Ways.

Animals bring a type of joy not found in other ways.

Old Photographs Report

#15

And Then There Was The Spanish Flu Pandemic Of 1918.

And then there was the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918.

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jessicaryan54 avatar
Jess
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Even back then some people just didnt know how to make a mask cover their god damn nose!!! lol

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#16

When Do We Gain The Inhibitions Not Present In Our Youth?

When do we gain the inhibitions not present in our youth?

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jessicaryan54 avatar
Jess
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Omg the amount of times we all nearly died during our childhoods, it'll never be the same again, leaving home on your own/with friends in the early morning, someone's dog would be part of the gang, not coming home until dinner time and literally no contact with anyone's parents all day lol. Fantastic photo

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#17

Timeless Photography Looks As Beautiful Now As It Did When It Was Taken.

Timeless photography looks as beautiful now as it did when it was taken.

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#18

Formal Portraits Rarely Featured Smiles, But They Can Be Found In Photographs Of Daily Life During This Period. (1912, South Carolina.)

Formal portraits rarely featured smiles, but they can be found in photographs of daily life during this period. (1912, South Carolina.)

Old Photographs Report

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#20

A Boy Makes A Friend At The London Zoo, 1958.

A boy makes a friend at the London Zoo, 1958.

Old Photographs Report

#22

Who Loved Jumping Off? (Even Though Mom Told You Not To.)

Who loved jumping off? (Even though mom told you not to.)

Old Photographs Report

#23

Is It Possible The Architects Had This In Mind When They Designed Grand Central Station? (1934)

Is it possible the architects had this in mind when they designed Grand Central Station? (1934)

Old Photographs Report

#24

Boys Will Be Boys. (Undated)

Boys will be boys. (Undated)

Old Photographs Report

#25

She Was Born Mary William Ethelbert Appleton "Billie" Burke, But You Would Know Her As The Good Witch Of The North In "The Wizard Of Oz".

She was born Mary William Ethelbert Appleton "Billie" Burke, but you would know her as the Good Witch of the North in "The Wizard of Oz".

Old Photographs Report

#26

Happy (And Very Lucky) To Be Alive - 1917.

Happy (and very lucky) to be alive - 1917.

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John L
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Helmets were the single most important innovation, in WWI, to reduce casualties.

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#27

104 Years Ago This Fountain In Detroit, Michigan Was Left Running Allowing It To Build Layer Upon Layer In To This 30 Foot Icy Spectacle.

104 years ago this fountain in Detroit, Michigan was left running allowing it to build layer upon layer in to this 30 foot icy spectacle.

Old Photographs Report

#28

This 1931 Photograph Captures The Spirit Of The Season As Santa Delivers Presents To The Children Of An Adoption Home In London.

This 1931 photograph captures the spirit of the season as Santa delivers presents to the children of an adoption home in London.

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#29

A Girl, A Dog, A Mule. From The 1921 Silent Film "Through The Back Door" Staring Mary Pickford.

A girl, a dog, a mule. From the 1921 silent film "Through the Back Door" staring Mary Pickford.

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Jess
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All 3 have been lightly drugged to make sure they stay in place lmao

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#31

March 1938: 70-Year-Old Mrs Elizabeth Arnold, Believed To Be England's Only Woman Blacksmith, Shoes A Horse Outside The 400-Year-Old Forge In Walmer, Kent. (Photo By Fox Photos).

March 1938: 70-year-old Mrs Elizabeth Arnold, believed to be England's only woman blacksmith, shoes a horse outside the 400-year-old forge in Walmer, Kent. (Photo by Fox Photos).

Old Photographs Report

#32

They Wear Shoes And Clothes With Holes And Dirt Upon Their Faces, Yet They Are Absolutely Perfect. (1936)

They wear shoes and clothes with holes and dirt upon their faces, yet they are absolutely perfect. (1936)

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#33

Fred Messer's Life Spanned Three Centuries. He Was Born In 1792, 16 Years After The United States Became A Counrty And Lived To See Automobiles Roll Along Roads, Dying In 1907. (North Carolina.)

Fred Messer's life spanned three centuries. He was born in 1792, 16 years after the United States became a counrty and lived to see automobiles roll along roads, dying in 1907. (North Carolina.)

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sarahmessiter avatar
Laroo
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Impressive though there is some question as to when exactly he was born

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#34

Two Innocent Souls From Days Long Ago.

Two innocent souls from days long ago.

Old Photographs Report

#35

A Woman On A Mission With Her Baguette And Six Bottles Of Wine. (Paris 1945 - By Branson Decou)

A woman on a mission with her baguette and six bottles of wine.

(Paris 1945 - by Branson Decou)

Old Photographs Report

#36

Daddy's Office, John Jr's Playground.

Daddy's office, John Jr's playground.

Old Photographs Report

#37

How Homework Was Done Before Google.

How homework was done before google.

Old Photographs Report

#38

An Old Photograph With A Funny Twist In Today’s Context.

An old photograph with a funny twist in today’s context.

Old Photographs Report

#39

It Took More Than 15 Years To Take The Statue Of Liberty From Concept To Reality. Construction Is Pictured Here In 1884, Less Than Two Years Before She Was Completed.

It took more than 15 years to take the Statue of Liberty from concept to reality. Construction is pictured here in 1884, less than two years before she was completed.

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ner_diz avatar
Serial pacifist
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And it took only one presidential mandate to throw liberty into the gutter and revamp racism, bigotry, vandalism, and xenophobia.

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#40

1890s Walmart. So Many Great Details Inside This General Store. It Was A Time When You Knew Your Grocer And They Knew You. We Have More, But We In Some Ways Have Less.

1890s Walmart. So many great details inside this general store. It was a time when you knew your grocer and they knew you. We have more, but we in some ways have less.

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David Brown
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was still in elementary school we moved from a decent size city to a very very rural town. It was like we had wound the clock back 30 years. It was a major culture shock.It had one chain fast food place and all the other ones were mom and pop joints.It had at that time the only bar I'd ever seen. It had one pharmacy which was mom and pop. And the gas station was the same way. The coolest thing about the whole town was the general store. It was like you'd see in movies. They made keys the old fashion way. If you wanted paint it had to be whatever color was in the can because they didn't mix custom colors. They had all types of gardening tools, seeds, fertilizer made from local chicken farm poop, and bee keeping supplies. It was one of the last stores that sold old style shotguns and rifles for hunting. And lastly, it had one of those old time rolling ladders that rode on a track mounted to the ceiling to get to the stuff on the shelves that went from floor to ceiling. Good times.

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#41

Be Thankful For What You Have. Be Thankful For One Another.

Be thankful for what you have.
Be thankful for one another.

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BonnyDK
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This caption is beyond inappropriate. The photo is of street orphans who have no one living that can take care of them. There was a movement at the time in art including painting and photography to make the public aware of their plight. They probably had not eaten in days. No telling what happened to their parents. It was meant to teach empathy.

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#42

Its Not About Where You Are, Its Who You're With. (1945)

Its not about where you are, its who you're with. (1945)

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#43

Rush Hour In Chicago Didn’t Look Any Better 104 Years Ago.

Rush hour in Chicago didn’t look any better 104 years ago.

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#44

The Cornelia Vanderbilt Wedding Portrait. (1924)

The Cornelia Vanderbilt wedding portrait. (1924)

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#45

Isn't It Interesting That We Meet Some Of The Best Friends We Ever Have Within The First Years Of Our Lives. (Photo By Edouard Boubat. Paris, 1952.)

Isn't it interesting that we meet some of the best friends we ever have within the first years of our lives.
(Photo by Edouard Boubat. Paris, 1952.)

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Emmett O'Brian
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had an entirely different youth than suggested. Lot of bullying. No one I would consider a friend until middle school when I found the nerds.

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#46

The Less You Have, The More You Appreciate What You Do Have. (Western North Carolina 1914-1917, From The William A. Barnhill Collection.)

The less you have, the more you appreciate what you do have.

(Western North Carolina 1914-1917, from the William A. Barnhill Collection.)

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#47

The Right Day To Hang Laundry In New York. (1900)

The right day to hang laundry in New York. (1900)

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Laroo
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Probably wouldn't be allowed nowadays and also what with all the pollution I'm not sure it would stay white for very long.

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#48

There’s Nothing Quite Like Getting Hand Delivered Mail. (1900)

There’s nothing quite like getting hand delivered mail. (1900)

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Jubum
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm still wondering how I can get off this thing without falling over.

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#49

Today, Be Thankful. (Arizona Migrant Family, 1940.)

Today, be thankful.
(Arizona migrant family, 1940.)

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frogglin avatar
Little Wonder
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These captions are giving me the shits. Yes we should be thankful, but we shouldn't be using real people in pain and poverty to make ourselves feel better about our own lives.

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Note: this post originally had 128 images. It’s been shortened to the top 49 images based on user votes.