Old Photographs Of Jerusalem In A Rare Heavy Snow, 1921

It’s not that uncommon to get snow in Jerusalem but the storm on February 25th, 1921 was quite severe. The city is characterized by a hot-summer Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers, and mild, wet winters. Snow flurries usually occur once or twice a winter, although the city experiences heavy snowfall every three to four years, on average, with short-lived accumulation. The British were victorious over the Ottomans in the Middle East during World War I and victory in Palestine was a step towards dismemberment of that empire....

December 30, 2025 · 2 min · 340 words · Kendrick Waligora

Operation Barbarossa In Rare Pictures, 1941

A German infantryman walks toward the body of a killed Soviet soldier and a burning BT-7 light tank in the southern Soviet Union in 1941, during the early days of Operation Barbarossa. Operation Barbarossa (Unternehmen Barbarossa) was the German codename for Nazi Germany’s invasion of the Soviet Union during World War II, which commenced on June 22, 1941. It was to be the turning point for the fortunes of Adolf Hitler’s Third Reich, in that the failure of Operation Barbarossa arguably resulted in the eventual overall defeat of Nazi Germany....

December 30, 2025 · 19 min · 4002 words · Robert Johnson

Photo Of 6Th Army Soldiers Marching To Stalingrad, 1942

6th Army soldiers marching to Stalingrad, 1942. These kids had no idea what kind of hell was about to be unleashed on them. They’re literally marching to hell. It’s kind of eerie looking at the men in this picture and realizing that statistically speaking, they most likely never saw 1944. Those sunglasses are privately own, probably pretty expensive. Sunglasses were only issued for Afrika Korps troops and for motorcycles, but not for infantry....

December 30, 2025 · 2 min · 277 words · Ruth Nichols

Photo Of Albert Einstein’S Matriculation Certificate, 1896

Albert Einstein’s matriculation certificate, aged 17, 1896. It’s a myth that Einstein was bad at math. This puts to rest that urban legend that Einstein was a “bad student”, although he received a three in French. He did, apparently, receive straight sixes in algebra, geometry, physics, and – history! Young Einstein knew what was important, it seems. Perhaps the legend is founded in the fact that the Swiss school system has a 6 as the best grade, and 1 as poorest, while the German is the other way round....

December 30, 2025 · 3 min · 609 words · William Butz

Rah

The 1980s was a decade characterized by its distinct fashion trends, where boldness and exuberance took center stage. Among the many iconic styles that emerged during this era, the Rah-Rah skirt was seen as a symbol of youthful vivacity and innovation. The roots of the Rah-Rah skirt can be traced back to the energetic world of cheerleading. Cheerleaders, known for their spirited performances and dynamic routines, donned skirts with flouncy, pleated designs that accentuated their movements....

December 30, 2025 · 3 min · 462 words · Marc Reiter

Retro Kitchens Of The Future: Discovering The Dream Kitchens Of Yesteryear

During the mid-20th century, a wave of futuristic optimism swept through society, inspiring people to envision how technology and design would transform their everyday lives. Nowhere was this spirit of innovation more evident than in the kitchen. From the 1950s to the 1980s, individuals and companies alike conceptualized and presented their captivating visions of the kitchen of the future. These retro kitchens, with their sleek designs, automation marvels, and ambitious predictions, reflect the aspirations and dreams of a bygone era....

December 30, 2025 · 5 min · 974 words · Jean Mcdonald

The German Occupation Of Kharkov In Color Photographs, 1941

These photos taken by Johannes Hähle depict the civilian population of Kharkov under occupation by Nazi Germany (all pictures are taken in October and November 1941). As a member of Construction Battalion 146, Hähle participated in the invasion of France. He was later transferred to Propaganda Company 637 on the Eastern Front to serve as a photographer, a profession he held prior to the war. In September 1941, he took several color photographs in Kyiv, Ukraine, some of which relate to the Babi Yar massacre, but he kept these photographs a personal secret and never turned them over to his superiors....

December 30, 2025 · 3 min · 606 words · Audrey Fabry

The Reichstag Covered In Graffiti After Being Seized From The Nazis By The Red Army, 1945

The Reichstag covered in Russian graffiti after being seized from the Nazis by the Red Army. After seizing the Reichstag in May 1945 and raising their flag on its roof, Soviet soldiers left their marks in other ways, writing their names, feelings, thoughts, and hometowns on the walls of the famous building. Written in Cyrillic script, they include such slogans as “Hitler kaputt” and names of individual soldiers. Most of the writings are just “From [Russian City] to Berlin” or just “[Russian City] – Berlin” with a name or “Kilroyski was here”....

December 30, 2025 · 2 min · 341 words · Alfred Silva

The Story Behind Ormond Gigli’S “Girls In The Windows” Iconic Photograph, 1960

In 1960, photojournalist Ormond Gigli assembled 43 women, dressed them in refined, colorful garb, and situated them in 41 windows across the facade of the classic New York City brownstones. Years later, the image ended up being his most famous artwork. Back in the day, Gigli found himself working out of a studio on East 58th Street in the heart of Manhattan. Across the street stood a series of townhouses, set for demolition....

December 30, 2025 · 5 min · 964 words · Adam Meckes

The Story Of Two Soviet Prisoners Of War Who Were Killed In The Murmansk Foothills, 1941

The picture above was taken on June 30, 1941 and shows German mountain troops and of the Russian prisoners. It was the night of June 29, 1941, in the foothills of Murmansk, Soviet Union. Commander Oberleutnant Rode ordered some officer candidates “Gruppe Ostermann” to climb “Ridge Musta” to a height of 122m and scout the situation and then report back to him and his company back down below. Right after they disappeared past the crest of some cliffs, Rode and his men heard grenade explosions and heavy small arms fire, then all went quiet....

December 30, 2025 · 3 min · 580 words · Barbara Forcello

The Unintentionally Homoerotic Chinese-Soviet Communist Propaganda Posters, 1950

“Long Live the Friendship between the Peoples and Armies of China and Soviet Union”. In October 1949, the Chinese Communist Party led by Mao Zedong claimed victory and formed the People’s Republic of China. Socialist regimes now held power across one-fifth of the globe, ruling a combined population of almost 800 million people. Maintaining a friendly and productive relationship between Moscow and Beijing was seen as crucial for the survival and advancement of socialism....

December 30, 2025 · 3 min · 604 words · Phyllis Gibson

The Visual History Of Beatlemania In Rare Pictures From The 1960S

In 1964, the Beatles achieved an unprecedented level of success both in their home country of Britain and in the United States. They amassed crowds of adoring fans that followed them wherever they went, a phenomenon often referred to as “Beatlemania.” On February 9, 1964, an estimated 73 million people tuned in to see the Beatles perform live on The Ed Sullivan Show , a popular television program. This meant that 45% of homes with televisions in the U....

December 30, 2025 · 9 min · 1754 words · Denise Eber

The Young 14Th Dalai Lama Through Old Photographs, 1935

The title Dalai Lama refers to an individual who serves as the spiritual and political leader of the Tibetan people. In English, Dalai Lama roughly translates to “Ocean of Wisdom”. Throughout history, each Dalai Lama has been recognized as the reincarnation of those before him. This belief is deeply rooted in the Tibetan Buddhist faith that an individual’s spirit remains, even after the physical body dies. The 13th Dalai Lama of Tibet died in 1933....

December 30, 2025 · 5 min · 864 words · Violeta Fager

When Cars Raced On The Roof: Fiat’S Incredible Lingotto Racetrack

Historical view of Lingotto building with the test track on the roof. The racetrack on top of a factory is actually a very famous now-defunct Fiat factory located in the city Turin in North Italy. When Giovanni Agnelli, the CEO of Fiat, had visited the Ford factory in Detroit, he then decided to expand production by adopting new and evolutionary production technologies in a state-of-the-art building that was innovative and unique from an architectural point of view....

December 30, 2025 · 4 min · 703 words · Martha Hebert

A Last Dance At Fort Bragg: Soldiers Enjoy A Night Out Before Deployment, 1942

In the early 1940s, Fort Bragg was more than just a military installation in North Carolina, it was a place where young men prepared for the uncertainty of war while still holding on to moments of normal life. Named after Confederate general Braxton Bragg, the base was established in 1918 near the close of World War I. What began as a modest artillery training ground soon expanded into one of the most important military centers in the United States....

December 29, 2025 · 2 min · 400 words · David Garrison

A Young Woman Writing A Thank You Note To Her Boyfriend In The Navy For The Skull Of A Japanese Soldier That He Sent, 1944

“Arizona war worker writes her Navy boyfriend a thank-you note for the Jap skull he sent her.” LIFE magazine’s “Picture of the Week,” May 22, 1944. A rare and disturbing picture, so much about this is still a mystery. We don’t know what became of the skull—or, indeed, what became of the young woman herself, or the man who sent it to her as a “gift” from the Pacific in the midst of World War II....

December 29, 2025 · 2 min · 396 words · Janet Jernigan

Adenauer Returns To Cologne After Negotiating The Release Of The Last Prisoners Of War From Soviet Union, 1955

Adenauer returned to Cologne after he negotiated the release of the last 10,000 war prisoners, 1955. The mother of a prisoner thanks Konrad Adenauer upon his return from Moscow on September 14, 1955. Adenauer had succeeded in concluding negotiations for the release to Germany, by the end of that year, of 15,000 German civilians and prisoners of war. Konrad Adenauer personally negotiated the whole thing with the Soviet government, resulting in a huge boost in popularity for him and pictures like this one....

December 29, 2025 · 2 min · 281 words · Brenda Mccollum

Adorable Moments: Vintage Photographs Of Animals And People From Bygone Times

Travel back in time with us as we delve into a captivating collection of vintage photographs that capture endearing moments shared between animals and people from days long past. These images, steeped in history, provide a genuine and heartwarming glimpse into a world where the bonds between humans and animals were as significant as they were simple. From the late 19th century to the early 20th century, photography was in its nascent stages, a craft that required precision and patience....

December 29, 2025 · 4 min · 739 words · Bruce Yockers

Apollo 11 Preparation In Rare Photos, 1969

The Bell Aerosystems Lunar Landing Research Vehicle (LLRV) and the astronaut Neil Armstrong (left), photographed at Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California prior to the launch of Apollo 11. Apollo 11 was the climax of the Apollo program, which pushed human spaceflight forward faster than ever before. In October 1968, the first crewed flight of the Apollo program lifted off; less than a year later, Apollo 11 launched....

December 29, 2025 · 6 min · 1105 words · Cheryl Newman

Christmas Nostalgia: Vintage Photos From The 1940S And 1950S That Will Make You Feel Warm

The allure of Christmas transcends time, but few eras have captured its true essence quite like the enchanting decades of the 1940s and 1950s. In those post-war years, the festive season was steeped in a kind-hearted spirit and simple joys, creating enduring traditions that continue to shape our holiday celebrations today. From the beautifully adorned tinsel trees to the heartfelt exchange of gifts, the nostalgic charm of this era remains an indelible part of our Christmas memories....

December 29, 2025 · 4 min · 694 words · Angela Schmitt