Looking back at history is crucial to our Earth’s well being and continued growth. We must look back and learn from our mistakes and our triumphs. With that being said, we complied 15 historical photos that not only shocked people back then but continue to shock people now.
1910 Great Paris Flood
The 1910 flood in Paris, France was a catastrophe. After months of high, heavy rainfall, the Seine River flooded Paris as water pushed upwards from overflowing sewers and subway tunnels, and seeped into basements through fully saturated soil. The Seine water level rose eight meters above the ordinary levels.
1910 Great Paris Flood
A Son’s Last Day
In 1990, ‘LIFE magazine’ published the following photo. This young man is David Kirby and his body was dying of AIDS and it was this photo that rocked the world. Kirby was surrounded by his family in his final moments and it haunted everyone who saw it. A journalism student, Therese Frare, snapped the photo and it quickly became the one photo that identified the face of the AIDS/HIV epidemic.
A Son’s Last Day
Elvis Serves
When Elvis Presley was drafted to the Vietnam War between March 1958 and March 1960, during his call up, he was one of the most well-known names in the entertainment world. Elvis was asked if he wanted to enlist in Special Services and he could entertain the troops plus live in priority housing, however Elvis decided to serve as a regular soldier. This resonated very positively with many soldiers and people back home.
Elvis Serves
Bison Skull Mountain
In the 19th century, Bison were hunted almost to extinction and by the 1880s, they were reduced to a few hundred. Bison were mainly hunted for their skins, while the rest of the animal was left behind to decay on the ground. The hides were then prepared and shipped off to the east and Europe to be processed into leather. The bones from Bison were used in refining sugar, and also when making fertilizer and fine bone china. Back then Bison bones were priced from $2.50 to $15.00 a ton.
Bison Skull Mountain
D-Day Aftermath
During World War II, the Allied forces launched one of the largest amphibious invasions in history when they assaulted Normandy, France. Many men died in the battle but this was a strategic move that led to the loss of the German position in most of France and it secured establishment of a new major front.
D-Day Aftermath
Elephant Ride
In November of 1959, you’ll see the elephant ‘Kam’ who was from the Bertram Mills circus.’Kam’ decided to pop a squat along the road while training for the circus’s Christmas show.
Elephant Ride
Great Flood of 1974
The Great Flood of 1974 is one forever etched in the history books. Pictured below is policeman, John Shuttleworth, standing waist-deep in the floods of Cambridge, Ontario.
Great Flood of 1974
Frozen Soviet Soldier
In 1939, Finnish fighters used to prop up the frozen bodies of Soviet soldiers to intimidate them. While the occurrence of such an act was few, it still happened.
Frozen Soviet Soldier
James Meredith
James Meredith was a Civil Rights Movement figure who inspired many because he was inspired by President John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address. After hearing the address, Meredith made the decision to exercise his constitutional rights and he applied to the University of Mississippi. Meredith’s goal was to pressure the Kennedy administration to enforce civil rights for all African Americans. He was denied admission twice. Following an immense amount of abuse and controversy, on October 1, 1962, Meredith became the first African-American student to enroll at the University of Mississippi. His admission is regarded as a pivotal moment in the history of civil rights in America. Through his studies, he persisted through harassment and extreme isolation and graduated on August 18, 1963, with a degree in political science.
James Meredith
Japanese Archers
The three men in the picture are practitioners of Kyudo, Japanese Zen archery, which is identifiable by their outfits and by how they hold their second arrows between their fourth and fifth fingers. Also traditional Kyudo is actually not about marksmanship but instead, it’s about the act of shooting itself.
Japanese Archers
Rocker Life
Pictured below you’ll see the famous Paul McCartney with David Gilmour, photo was taken in 1970 at a Led Zepplin concert.
Rocker Life
Smoking’s Allowed
Back in the early 1900s, having a smoke was actually thought to provide a jump-start. Specifically the unrelenting, incredibly different and testing three week long Tour de France race.
Smoking’s Allowed
Statue Of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty represents a torch lighting the way to freedom showing the path to Liberty, it was a gift to America from the people of France. The Statue of Liberty stands at 151 feet 1 inch (46 meters) and from ground to torch it is 305 feet 1 inch (93 meters) tall. Additionally, it i recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Statue Of Liberty
The Boston Marathon
In 1967, you’ll see the iconic Kathrine Switzer who followed in the path of Bobbi Gibb. She was the first woman to run with a race number. Pictured is Switzer getting attacked by Jock Semple who attempted to rip off her number in an attempt to eject her from the race. Switzer would go on to win the New York City Marathon in 1974 and would race again in Boston, landing in 2nd place in 1975.
The Boston Marathon
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War cost 58,220 U.S. service members lives as well as a further 1,626 missing in action. It is also a war that America lost. Additionally, it is also a war remembered where American troops napalm as a weapon. Napalm is a thickening agent when mixed with petroleum or a similar fuel, it is an anti-personnel weapon which sticks to skin and can actually burn down to the bone.
Vietnam War
World War II
World War II is considered to be one the worst in history. Pictured below is the destruction that occurred in Berlin, Germany. You can see some of the damaged buildings and a bridge although Berlin itself didn’t have much bombing damage.
