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Article created by: Kotryna Br

Sorting through dusty manuscripts and volumes of mysterious books is how many of us imagine finding evidence in history. But our past is far more than a string of names and dates. It is about how people lived in the past and molded our society. It is about their hopes and dreams, their fears and disappointments, and what pushed them to make the decisions and inventions they did.

But there’s something else that can offer us an intimate glimpse into the lives they led and make historical events seem more real, rather than merely stories. We’re talking about authentic pictures that documented the wonders of that time. Luckily for us, plenty of examples can be found in a heartfelt corner of the internet called the 'Old Photos Of The World' Facebook page.

While we can’t time travel back to the past (yet!), we can at least look at these pictures full of unstaged scenarios and build our own interpretations. So continue scrolling because we at Bored Panda gathered some of the best pictures for you to enjoy! And after you’re done, make sure to check out our earlier compilations full of important historical images and old photos in real life.

#1

Camberley Kate, And Her Stray Dogs In England. She Never Turned A Stray Dog Away, Taking Care Of More Than 600 Dogs In Her Lifetime (1962)

Black and white historical photo of a man with stray dogs in a wooden cart on a city street, capturing important history.

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    #2

    An Officer Halts Traffic To Make Way For A Cat Carrying A Kitten Across The Street, 1925

    Black and white historical photo of a traffic officer stopping cars while a cat crosses with a bird in its mouth.

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    #3

    Settler Family On The American Prairie In The 1880s

    Historical photo of a family dressed in vintage clothing standing in a grassy field with houses in the background.

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    #4

    Four Generations, Circa 1905

    Four generations of women posed formally in an old important historical photo showing family heritage and legacy.

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    #5

    Woman And Her Dog In Her One Room House, Texas, 1938

    Black and white historical photo of an elderly woman sitting in a rustic room with a dog on a tiled floor.

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    #6

    This Farmhouse Once Stood In Manhattan Where 84th Street And Broadway Now Cross (1879)

    Old historical house on a rocky hill with trees and a dirt road, captured in an important historical photo.

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    #7

    Grandma Patching The Only Pants Of Her Grandson, 1907

    Elderly woman giving a child a traditional disciplinary spanking in an important historical photo.

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    #8

    In 1839, Robert Cornelius Took The World's First Selfie

    Side-by-side comparison of an important historical photo and its restored version showing a man with folded arms.

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    #9

    The Last Known Photo Of The Titanic Afloat. April 12, 1912

    Historic photo showing the Titanic ocean liner with a lifeboat and crew on calm water in early 20th century.

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    #10

    Robert Wadlow, The Tallest Man In History (8 Ft 11 In)

    Black and white photo of a very tall man standing with a family, an important historical photo showing size contrast.

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    #11

    This Mirror Portrait Was Taken 100 Years Ago In Japan

    Vintage black and white historical photo of a man and woman taking a selfie using an old camera and tripod.

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    #12

    Rare Photo Of A Remote Control From The 70's

    Black and white historical photo of a young child standing next to an old television set from mid-20th century.

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    #13

    Happy French Girl And Her Cat, 1959

    Black and white historical photo of a smiling child holding a cat on a wet cobblestone street.

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    #14

    Soldier Coming Home To His Daughter After WWII, 1945

    Black and white historical photo of a soldier with open arms greeting a young girl running toward him outdoors.

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    #15

    David Isom, 19, Broke The Color Line In A Segregated Pool In Florida On June 8, 1958, Which Resulted In Officials Closing The Facility

    Young Black man with towel walks beside a pool where children swim, an important historical photo changing perspective on segregation.

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    #16

    Two Gentleman From The Early 1900s

    Two well-dressed men with hats and canes posing outside a wooden house in an important historical photo.

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    #17

    A Man Getting To Hear Music On A Record Player, 1922

    Inuit man laughing while sitting in fur clothing near a record player, an important historical photo showing cultural life.

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    #18

    Same Scene, Same Motorcycle, Same Woman, 72 Years Old After

    Side-by-side historical photos of a woman and the same woman elderly, both sitting on a vintage motorcycle.

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    #19

    The Top Of The Great Pyramid Of Giza, Egypt

    Aerial view of an ancient pyramid showing weathered stone blocks in an important historical photo changing perspective.

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    #20

    These Progressive High School Girls Learn The Finer Points Of Auto Mechanics In 1927

    Women mechanics working on an early 20th-century car in a vintage garage, showcasing important historical moments.

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    #21

    Train Travel In The 1890s

    Luxurious vintage train interior with ornate details and velvet seats in an important historical photo perspective.

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    #22

    Helen, An American Indian Telephone And Switchboard Operator, Montana, 1925

    Native American woman using early telephone equipment in a historical photo showing important historical moments.

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    #23

    A Little French Girl Gives An American Soldier A Kiss On Valentine’s Day, 1945

    World War II soldier sitting with child and dog, captured in an important historical photo showing a tender moment.

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    #24

    Cat Taking A Photo, 1909

    Cat standing on a chair operating an old camera while three children pose for an important historical photo outdoors.

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    #25

    Sophia Loren, Circa 1955

    Vintage black and white photo of a woman in a detailed white corset dress, an important historical photo perspective.

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    #26

    Men In Harlem Gather In Front Of A Shop To Listen To The Radio, 1940

    Group of men listening intently to a vintage radio on the street in an important historical photo.

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    #27

    A Housewife Taking Frozen Long Johns Off The Washing Line, 1940s

    Woman hanging long underwear on a clothesline in a historical photo showing daily life and laundry practices.

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    #28

    “Mother And Son” Ireland, 1890

    Vintage historical photo of elderly mother and son outside stone building, illustrating important historical photos perspective.

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    #29

    Easter Bunny Bringing Joy To Children, 1955

    Vintage historical photo of two children with a person in a creepy rabbit costume on a patterned couch.

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    #30

    The Use Of Masks During The Spanish Flu Pandemic, 1918

    Couple wearing early 20th century gas masks walking on a city street in an important historical photo.

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    #31

    Testing Out The Latest Flight Helmet In A Highly Scientific Way, 1912

    Early 20th century black and white photo showing a football player crashing into a wall with men watching, important historical photo.

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    #32

    Charlie Chaplin Meeting Deaf-Blind American Author Helen Keller, 1919

    Black and white historical photo showing a man and woman interacting on a dirt road in an old town setting.

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    #33

    Drying The Pasta, Italy, 1929

    Boy smiling while carrying long strands of pasta, an important historical photo showing child labor and traditional food production.

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    #34

    Unusual Portrait Of A Victorian Lady

    Black and white historical photo of a woman in old-fashioned clothing making a playful face outdoors.

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    #35

    Samurai Warriors Taken Between 1860 And 1880

    Group of five samurai warriors in traditional dress, an important historical photo showing cultural attire and weapons.

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    #36

    Unusual Portrait Of A Victorian Lady

    Funny vintage portrait of a woman making a humorous face in an important historical photo from the past.

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    #37

    Berlin Zoo Handler Gives Roland, A 4,000 Pound Elephant Seal, A Snow Bath, 1930s

    Black and white historical photo of a man feeding a large sea lion at an outdoor snowy zoo enclosure.

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    #38

    Bavarian Boy Enjoying His Camera, 1910

    Young boy squatting and taking a photo with a small vintage camera in an important historical photo.

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    #39

    Three Old School Archers In Japan, 1860s

    Three men dressed in traditional attire practicing archery with bows and arrows in an important historical photo.

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    #40

    A Soldier Coming Home From War, 1940s

    Soldier joyfully lifting and hugging a child outside a building in an important historical photo capturing a heartfelt moment.

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    #41

    So Young & So Happy, 1920s

    Young couple smiling and wearing a large letterman sweater together in an important historical photo showing joyful moments.

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    #42

    Two Ladies And A Local Man Watching The Sunset, 1925

    Three people on top of a pyramid at sunset in an important historical photo showing a unique perspective on ancient Egypt.

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    #43

    Queen Elizabeth And Prince Philip Share A Laugh While Watching A Rope Acrobat, 1963

    Black and white historical photo of a laughing couple in vintage attire, capturing an important moment in history.

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    #44

    Davide Chislagi Testing His Single-Wheel Engine, 1933

    Man in vintage outfit riding a unique single-wheel motorcycle in an important historical photo from early 20th century.

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    #45

    King George VI Of England Enjoying A Slide, 1925

    Man in a suit and bowler hat riding a wooden slide, surrounded by onlookers in a historical photo.

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    #46

    Bonnie Parker And Clyde Barrow In Arkansas, 1933

    Young couple embracing near a vintage car, an important historical photo capturing a moment from the early 20th century.

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