102 Photographs Every History Enthusiast Should See

Photos have a quiet magic to them… they can pull us out of the present and drop us into another moment in an instant.

This feeling is even stronger when we look at historic pictures taken across different eras and places.

Some of the moments feel so familiar — for example, we all can relate to a mirror selfie that was taken by a couple in the 1920s in Japan. But at the same time, some moments remind us of such strange times — for example, we will never fully understand what a soldier felt while embracing his baby after returning from World War 2.

Let’s travel back in time a bit, and check out this treasure trove from the Hatcher History Instagram page that reveals glimpses from the past.

Discover more in 113 Photographs Every History Enthusiast Should See

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Black and white vintage photograph of a woman drinking from a cup next to a baby elephant, history enthusiast photograph.

Vintage self-portrait photo of a couple using an old camera, classic photograph for history enthusiasts to see

Black and white historical photograph of soldiers in a field with one soldier carrying a donkey on his back.

If you can relate even a little, history classes in school used to put me to sleep and all those dates and endless text were really hard to follow. So to keep myself awake, I’d try to lose myself in the blurry images in my textbook and try to make sense of the past in my own way.

That’s why I always believe that photos are a powerful medium to understand history. They bring moments, places and people to life with such clarity that words alone can’t convey.

Black and white photo of a person shaking paws with a polar bear while a cub clings to their leg in snowy terrain, history photograph

Smiling indigenous woman carrying a child in traditional fur-lined clothing in a historic black and white photograph.

Vintage photograph of a Native American woman carrying a baby wrapped in a blanket, history enthusiast favorite image.

Photos also capture emotions of people which makes us relate a bit more to their experiences.

Much of the emotional and visual context would be lost if we had no photographic evidence capturing the horrors of different wars, or the iconic moments like the suffrage movements or civil rights protests.

They highlighted moments of joy, sadness and victory, letting us connect with events on both personal and social levels.

Black and white historical photograph showing a man giving a thumbs up outside a window to a baby held by a medical worker.

Following a long convention, maternity wards typically enforced strict separation between mothers, newborns, and visiting family. Credit: archaeo adventure

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Black and white photograph of a Civil War soldier sitting with two young children, a classic history enthusiast image.

Young child with bandaged head sitting in bed holding a doll in a vintage black and white history photograph.

Some photos also help preserve cultural practices, and can act as primary historical sources when understood with context and caution.

Even everyday life and social norms from the past are preserved thanks to portraits and images from our history.

Street scenes that show the fashion of the time, or the early Victorians who were the first generation to see themselves through the camera lens — some pictures show social classes and living conditions from the past that we refer to even today.

Rescue operation at a shipwreck on rocky shores, captured in a historic photograph for history enthusiasts.

Eclipse over a rural path with birds in flight, a fence, and a tree, captured in a historic photograph for history enthusiasts.

Ancient toy car with stone wheels displayed in a museum, a unique photograph every history enthusiast should see.

Several pictures here show everyday life that can help us understand the social norms from the past — be it the fashion of the time, the way people worked or how they spent their free time.

Some pictures reveal the social classes and living conditions from the past which historians still refer to today.

For example, experts study studio portraits of wealthy families from the Victorian era and compare them with street scenes of the poor, to understand the stark differences in clothing, housing, and lifestyle at that time.

Woman sitting amid ruins drinking from a cup in a black and white photograph for history enthusiast collection.

Black and white photograph of a young girl walking on a cobblestone street, a classic history enthusiast image.

Young girl holding a large bowl of fish at a busy dock, a classic photograph for history enthusiasts to see.

While clicking away on their cameras, photographers do much more than just document memories. They capture stories that future generations might one day study.

“We capture images that will someday become part of history in some small way. Whether we mean to or not, as photographers, we become historians as well,” photographer Lawrence Lazare writes in the Medium.

“That is why we document the world around us, so we can pass along our images to others when those photos are needed most,” he adds.

Young girl wrapped in a shawl holding a rabbit, an iconic historical photograph for history enthusiasts to see.

Woman in historic street setting holding fish by a basket beside wooden barrels in a vintage photograph for history enthusiasts.

Worn ancient leather shoes held for display, showcasing unique historical artifacts for history enthusiasts.

Many pictures here also show the history of specific people, some we know and some we won’t ever read about in history books.

They are remarkable because they tell us so many different stories, and they let us feel what life was really like for people in the past.

Everyday experiences and lifestyle such as clothes, expressions of kids, and interactions between people — all these images bring past lives to life.

Elderly woman sitting on a chair with a cat on her lap in a rustic alleyway in a historical photograph for history enthusiasts.

Four World War II female pilots in leather jackets walking confidently in front of a military aircraft, history enthusiast photograph.

Two women wrapped in large striped cloaks standing outside a stone building in a historic photograph for history enthusiasts

Woman and child sitting by a historic harbor with sailing ships in fog, a rare photograph for history enthusiasts to see.

Black and white photo of a young girl holding a baby, a powerful photograph for history enthusiasts.

Family standing outside a sod house in a rural area, historical photograph for history enthusiasts to see.

Man in fur coat holding a wolf outdoors in winter, a compelling photograph for history enthusiasts to see.

The Norwegian Gunnar Kasen and his main dog Balto were the first to bring the serum to the village, through a snowstorm. For his courage, Balto had a monument of himself erected in New York’s Central Park.

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Young girl with braids carrying a large jug barefoot on a rocky path in a historical photograph for history enthusiasts.

Man entering a hidden room behind a secret bookshelf in a black and white photograph for history enthusiasts.

Ancient fossilized footprint preserved in rock, a remarkable photograph for history enthusiasts to explore.

History enthusiasts view the Berlin Wall, holding babies and standing on a chair to see over the barrier in a historic photograph.

Two men wearing caps knitting by the seaside, a rare photograph for history enthusiasts to see.

Two men working in a vintage shoe repair shop, showcasing historical craftsmanship in a black and white photograph.

A soldier holds a dog during wartime, captured in a powerful historical photograph for history enthusiasts.

Vintage black and white photograph of a smiling woman holding a number plaque, iconic history enthusiast image.

Woman placing paper in recycling bags labeled paper, tins, bottles, jars while a child and cat stand nearby in a historic photograph.

Young girl in traditional clothing walking through a narrow passage in a black and white historic photograph for history enthusiasts.

Historic black and white photo of a ship riding a massive ocean wave, capturing a stunning moment for history enthusiasts.

Children and dogs gathered on a cobblestone street in a historic urban neighborhood in a vintage photograph.

Two fishermen wearing raincoats and mittens in a boat on rough waters, a historic photograph for history enthusiasts.

Black and white photograph of two well-dressed children standing outdoors, a notable image for history enthusiasts

Historic black and white photograph showing a group of children and an elderly woman around a basket, a classic history enthusiast image.

Ancient wooden ship remains uncovered at excavation site with historic urban ruins for history enthusiasts to explore.

Black and white historic photo of a young boy in a coat and cap on a city street for history enthusiasts.

Men in a small boat watch a sailing ship struggle in rough seas, a powerful image for history enthusiasts.

Vintage black and white photo of two police officers with a woman seated on a bench for history enthusiasts.

Black and white photo of a chimney sweep with a vintage bicycle on an old city street for history enthusiasts.

Small boat crossing the dividing line between two differently colored water bodies in a historic photograph for history enthusiasts.

Black and white photo of a bandaged man lying down as another person leans over him in a historical setting for history enthusiasts

Young woman in vintage clothing and lace veil captured in a timeless photograph for history enthusiast collection.

Black and white photo of a street artist painting a historic urban scene on a cobblestone road for history enthusiasts.

Child dressed in winter clothes standing next to a large bear in a snowy forest in a historic photograph.

Vintage photograph of multiple children seated in a large wicker cart with two women pushing it outdoors in a historical setting.

Industrial workers posing inside a historical mine showing raw conditions in vintage photographs for history enthusiasts.

Black and white photograph of a couple in traditional Eastern European folk costumes for history enthusiasts.

Crew on the icy deck of the ship New England in a historic black and white photograph for history enthusiasts.

Young barefoot girl in worn dress holding a bird, sitting by a stone wall in a historical photograph for history enthusiasts.

Sepia-toned historical photograph of a man with a pipe, wearing traditional clothing, captured for history enthusiasts.

Vintage sepia photograph of a somber young woman seated wearing dark clothing, a notable history enthusiast photograph.

Black and white photograph of a smiling young girl standing barefoot in a field, a classic image for history enthusiasts.

Black and white photo of a woman and child sharing a close embrace, historic photograph for history enthusiasts to see.

Vintage junkyard with classic cars and a UFO-shaped object, an unusual photograph for history enthusiasts to see.

Black and white portrait of two smiling people in a historic photograph for history enthusiasts to see.

Vintage black and white portrait of a young woman with long hair, a historical photograph for history enthusiasts.

Historic black and white photograph of a woman near the ancient Roman Colosseum with horse-drawn carriages in the background.

Four young girls with bows in their hair standing on a city street with a vintage pram and tricycle in this historical photograph.

Young boy holding a stuffed toy amid rubble in a historic black-and-white photograph for history enthusiasts.

Black and white historical photograph of a nun leading a group of children in coats and hats on a city street.

Historic portrait of a young woman in vintage attire from a collection of photographs for history enthusiasts.

Fishermen struggling to hold a large tuna on a boat, a historic moment captured in a classic black and white photo.

Two men sitting on steps outside, capturing a historic moment for history enthusiast photographs.

Two dust-covered women assist each other walking through a debris-filled street after a historic disaster event.

Historic black and white photo of a man on a horse descending a steep cliff, showcasing remarkable history moments.

Group of ragged children from a historical photograph reflecting poverty and hardship seen by history enthusiasts.

Historic black and white photo of construction workers balancing on steel beams during Brooklyn Bridge building era.

Black and white photograph of soldiers hiding inside a hollow tree during wartime, a notable history photograph.

Large historic crowd watches speaker standing on shoulders during a famous moment in photographs every history enthusiast should see.

Vintage photograph of a man and baby in old-fashioned clothing, a classic example for history enthusiast photographs.

Black and white photograph of early 20th-century nursery with nurses caring for multiple infants in baskets and cribs, history enthusiasts.

Vintage Coca-Cola delivery truck with two men, showcasing a classic scene for history enthusiasts to see.

Sinking historic sailing ship with tattered sails in foggy waters captured in vintage history enthusiast photograph.

Black and white photograph of a young boy in dirty clothes holding a cat, an iconic image for history enthusiasts.

Large historic statue of two men holding a massive sword, with people gathered around the monument, history enthusiast photograph.

Vintage black and white photograph of children near a small bridge in a rural village, historic photographs for history enthusiasts.

Black and white vintage photograph of four children from a historical moment for history enthusiasts to see.

Three children smiling and holding hands in a historical black and white photograph for history enthusiasts.

Young barefoot child picking cotton in a field, an iconic historical photograph for history enthusiasts to see.

Black and white photograph of a man smoking a pipe standing in a vineyard, representing historical photographs for history enthusiasts.

Sepia-toned photograph of an elderly couple outside a weathered wooden house, perfect for history enthusiasts.

Three young girls in worn, dirty dresses and boots stand together in a historic black and white photograph colorized for history enthusiasts.

Black and white photograph of a woman in a floral dress walking barefoot among a crowd, a vintage history photograph.

Young men and women dressed formally during a historic dance event, captured in a vintage black and white photograph.

American soldier reading to two young children in military uniforms in a historical black and white photograph for history enthusiasts.

Black and white photograph of a soldier in uniform standing with an older woman near a rustic wooden gate, history enthusiast photo.

Group of Native American men gathered near a vintage train car in a historic black and white photograph for history enthusiasts.

They are on a Southern Pacific Railway train, near Nueces River, in San Antonio, Texas, en route to exile in Florida.

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Historic photograph of a soldier carrying an elderly woman through war-torn ruins in a powerful history enthusiast image.

Two elderly women sitting on wooden chairs on a porch in a historic black and white photograph for history enthusiasts.

Four young children eating a simple meal in a rustic room, a powerful photograph for history enthusiasts.

Black and white photo showing rows of vintage military jeeps, a powerful image for history enthusiasts and collectors.

Two young boys in vintage clothing holding a baby near a stove in a historic photograph for history enthusiasts.

Historic black and white photo of men in tuxedos at a formal banquet, perfect for history enthusiast photographs.

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