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Article created by: Mariia Tkachenko

What will your city look like 100 years from now? It might be hard to imagine. Perhaps future generations will live in utopia. Or maybe the earth will turn into one big disaster.

What we do know is that the world looked completely different a century ago. Things seemed quieter. Skyscrapers, and buzzing traffic weren't the order of the day. Some cities didn't even exist yet. While others have since grown beyond recognition, shaped by wars, waves of migration, modernization, and technological revolution.

Bored Panda has put together a fascinating list of photographs that show just how much things have changed. Whether you're a history lover, an architecture enthusiast, or purely curious about places, prepare yourself for a visual journey of a different kind. Keep scrolling to see how time has transformed the places we call home, and don't forget to upvote your favorites.

We also explore what people back then believed the world would like today, and some of the beliefs were quite interesting. You'll find that info between the images.

#1

Lively Street In Tokyo Around 1900-1920

Crowded street scene with trams, bicycles, and people holding umbrellas in a historical photo from around the world.

Keystone-France / Contributor Report

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    #2

    Interior Of Casa Rosada Of Buenos Aires, 1923

    Black and white historical photo of an ornate indoor garden with plants and antique furniture in a grand hallway.

    Archivo General de la Nación Argentina Report

    #3

    1922 North Brabant, Netherlands

    Medieval stone gate on a cobblestone street in a historical photo from around the world showing interesting architecture.

    Steenbergh, CJ (Cornelis) Report

    #4

    Military School Cadets Marching Down Parodos Street, 1920, Kaunas, Lithuania

    Black and white historical photo of soldiers marching on a rural road surrounded by trees and countryside.

    Goharskiy Report

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    #5

    Plaza De Mayo 1920 , Argentina

    Vintage historical photo of an old city bus and early automobiles on a busy street in Plaza Mayo.

    serg145 Report

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    #6

    King William Street, Adelaide, South Australia 1923

    Black and white historical photo of a busy city street with trams, early cars, and people from an interesting time period.

    State Library of South Australia Report

    #7

    St. Faith's Church 1900 – 1920 , New Zealand, Bay Of Plenty

    Black and white historical photo of a traditional church building with a tall steeple and decorative window design.

    Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries Report

    #8

    1920 Nuremberg , Germany, Bavaria, Middle Franconia, Nuremberg

    Historical photo of a city square with horse-drawn carriage, early automobiles, and a large domed building.

    plnkr Report

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    #9

    Inner Courtyard Of A Madrasah With A Flower Garden, 1925, Yerevan

    Black and white historical photo of an old brick building with arches and a garden, highlighting global historical stories.

    Zasypkin B.N. Report

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    #10

    Langenberg. Gasthof 1920 – 1930 , Poland

    Vintage historical photo showing men with bicycles and a dog outside a building, capturing a moment from around the world.

    Mariusz Brzeziński Report

    #11

    City Hall 1920 , Canada, Ontario

    Historic black and white cityscape featuring a large clock tower and surrounding buildings in a historical photo.

    Archives of Ontario Report

    #12

    Loaded Freight Barge Passing The Russian Consulate, Huangpu, Shanghai, 1919

    Historical photo of a river scene with a boat carrying jars, featuring old buildings and a bridge in the background.

    Hutchinson Family Report

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    #13

    1921 , France, Metropolitan France, Île-De-France, Paris, 6th Arrondissement (Luxembourg), Notre-Dame-Des-Champs

    Black and white historical photo of a cobblestone courtyard with a large arched wooden gate and surrounding buildings.

    pospelov Report

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    #14

    Main Building, Armour Institute Of Technology, Chicago, Illinois, CA 1920s

    Historical photo showing vintage cars parked along a street beside a large brick building with arched windows.

    Illinois Institute of Technology Report

    #15

    1920 , Germany, Berlin

    Historical photo of a European city bridge over a river, showcasing architecture and urban design from the past.

    maxuju1 Report

    #16

    1921 Brazil, Southeast Region, State Of Rio De Janeiro

    Vintage historical photo of Rio de Janeiro shore promenade with people, horse carriages, and iconic patterned sidewalk.

    Ilya Report

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    #17

    Tram Stop In Brussels, October 1922

    Black and white historical photo showing people near a small street kiosk with trees and buildings in the background.

    tockholm Transport Museum Report

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    #18

    Handloom Weaver At Work In The Street, Shanghai, 1920

    Black and white historical photo showing people gathered around traditional tools in a vintage street scene.

    Hutchinson Family Report

    #19

    View Of Nihonbashi Bridge With Boats Underneath 1911 – 1920 , Japan, Tokyo

    Historical photo of a stone bridge with decorative lamp posts over a river, boats and people visible below.

    George Rinhart / Contributor Report

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    #20

    Birmingham. Ward End Park 1900 – 1920 , United Kingdom

    Black and white historical photo of a grand old building surrounded by trees and empty benches on a paved path.

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    #21

    1920, Perfume Store, Riga, Latvia

    Early 20th century historical photo showing men walking on a cobblestone street lined with shops.

    ihs Report

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    #22

    1925-1935, Czech Republic, Prague

    Historical photo of a street scene with vintage tram and classical buildings from around the world’s past.

    alexstone Report

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    #23

    1920, Switzerland, Canton Of Zürich

    Vintage historical photo of a large house with shutters and a fence along a quiet, tree-lined street.

    Fotograf_in unbekannt Report

    #24

    View Of Canberra 1920 – 1940 , Australia

    Historical photo of a large government building surrounded by open fields and trees with distant hills in the background.

    serg145 Report

    #25

    Imperial Theatre In Marunouchi, Tokyo, 1924

    Historic black and white photo of a grand building with columns and people walking nearby, showcasing historical architecture.

    Meiji and Taisho Postcards Report

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    #26

    1930 Stari Grad Urban Municipality (Belgrad) , Serbia

    Black and white historical photo of a European street with classic buildings and few pedestrians visible.

    Old Belgrade Report

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    #27

    1920, Tirana, Albania

    Black and white historical photo showing early 20th-century cars and children near a building with trees around.

    kosta korçari Report

    #28

    1920, USA, Texas, Mclennan County, Waco

    Historic Behrens D**g Company building with broken windows and two people standing outside in a vintage street scene.

    Baylor University Libraries: The Texas Collection Report

    #29

    Tampere Girls' School 1924, Finland

    Black and white historical photo of a large brick building with multiple windows and surrounding fence.

    Vapriikki Photo Archive Report

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