Journey through captivating historical moments; from Bowie and Iggy Pop’s ’76 arrest, to WWII snapshots and athletic milestones. Recall significant moments of Gandhi, JFK and Lincoln. Experience the spectrum of human stories in 8 minutes.
David Bowie & Iggy Pop Arrest (1976)
In 1976, David Bowie and Iggy Pop, icons of rock music, were arrested in Rochester, NY, for marijuana possession. The crime failed to damage their careers; instead, Bowie’s stylish mugshot became a famed piece of pop culture and called “the coolest mugshot in history”.
Farewell Int’l Brigades (1938)
The international volunteers known as “International Brigades” were individuals from 50+ countries who voluntarily came to Spain (1936-39) to fight against Francisco Franco’s Nationalist forces in the Spanish Civil War, demonstrating global opposition to fascism.
Oktoberfest Beer Delivery (1908)
In 1850, the first-ever motorized beer delivery for Oktoberfest was deployed, replacing traditional horse-drawn beer wagons. It revolutionized logistics in beer distribution, marking a significant progress in Oktoberfest’s rich history.
Bush Vomits at Japan Banquet (1992)
This incident, often referred to as the “Bushu-suru” incident, popularized the Japanese slang term “Bushu-suru,” meaning “to do the Bush thing” or “to vomit”. It resulted due to president’s atrial fibrillation caused by gastroenteritis.
Sailor Reads Comic (1942)
In this rare, intimate moment aboard the USS Doran in 1942, a sailor escapes the harsh realities of war through the pages of a comic book, highlighting the significance of such simple delights in maintaining morale amid the gloom of World War II.
Kaaba, 1954 Mecca (KSA)
In 1954, the Kaaba, the holiest site in Islam located in Mecca, was surrounded by flood water after severe rainstorms hit the region. Despite the flooding, undeterred pilgrims continued their Hajj chanting, showing their devout commitment.
Jewish Kids in Samarkand (early 20th c.)
Samarkand, an ancient Silk Road city in modern Uzbekistan, was known for its significant Jewish community called Bukharian Jews. They spoke a Jewish dialect of the Tajik language and were involved in trade and craftsmanship.
Gandhi & Bose at INC (1938)
This meeting in Haripura, 1938, marked a significant turning point in Indian history. Although both Gandhi and Bose were fighting for India’s freedom from British rule, their ideologies were starkly different. Here, Bose was elected Congress’ president, straining relations.
Soapbox Derby, Pismo Beach (mid-50’s)
The Soap Box derby racers at Pismo Beach, CA, in the mid-50s was an amateur event where kids built gravity-powered vehicles. Interestingly, it was these low-tech competitions that sparked many to pursue careers in engineering, design and auto mechanics.
Shell-Shocked Reindeer (1941)
Yevgeny Khaldei’s 1941 image of a shell-shocked reindeer amidst WWII bombings in Mourmansk, Russia, serves as a powerful symbol of the indirect innocent sufferers of war. Captured in a battle zone, it poignantly reveals nature’s vulnerability during human conflicts.
Boxer Rebellion Suppression (1900)
The multi-national military effort to quell the Boxer Rebellion was oddly cooperative for that era. It marked the first significant military coalition between Western powers and Japan, underscoring a shift in global power dynamics.
Manhattan Bridge (1908)
The Manhattan Bridge, Brooklyn, NY, was under construction for eight years from 1901 to 1909. In 1908, its construction introduced “deflection theory” design, becoming the first suspension bridge to use it.
Volksturm Surrender (1945)
The Volksturm were a German national militia formed during WWII. The relief of the two old members upon surrendering signifies the intensity of serving during the end of the war and their hope for better life under British custody.
Regina Riot (1935)
The protest against the conditions in a relief camp escalated into a riot, indicating the discontent of inhabitants over their living conditions. Such unrest can reveal the challenges aid organizations and government bodies face in maintaining order during crises.
Canada Snowfall: 1950s Steam Trains
In 1950s Canada, steam trains weren’t deterred by heavy snowfall. Snow clearing crews used rotary snowplows, known as “snow eaters”, powered by the locomotive’s steam, capable of clearing enormous amounts of snow. These troops were vital in harsh Canadian winters.
Lincoln & McClellan at Antietam (Oct 3, 1862)
This photograph captures a critical period in US history. Lincoln, frustrated with General McClellan’s lack of aggressiveness, visited Antietam battlefield, a pivotal Civil War site. Their tension is hinted in McClellan’s casual stance and Lincoln’s intense gaze.
Finnish Troops Track Enemy (1941)
During WWII, Finnish troops employed an acoustic locator, a pre-radar technology, to track enemy aircraft. Using large, trumpet-like devices paired with binoculars, they’d detect aircraft by amplifying sound waves. This was crucial before the advent of radar technology.
Wilt & Ali (1960s)
“The Fight of the Century” in 1971 occurred where boxing legends Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier faced off. Undisputedly undefeated, both fighters gave an epic performance, concluding with Frazier keeping his world heavyweight title via unanimous decision.
American Gothic Models (1930)
The models for American Gothic were not romantically involved. Nan Wood Graham was the sister of the painter, Grant Wood, and Byron McKeeby was his dentist. Their stern expressions became iconic symbols of the Great Depression era.
Raising USS Oklahoma (1943)
The USS Oklahoma was sunk during the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. It took over a year of planning and 3 months of execution to right the capsized ship using 21 massive winches in a meticulous and unprecedented salvage operation in 1943.
Ninety & Nine (1890)
The parable of ‘Ninety and Nine’ from the Bible refers to Jesus’s story about a shepherd who leaves his 99 sheep to find the one that is lost. This symbolizes God’s infinite love and mercy, emphasizing that every individual is significant and worth saving.
JFK & John Glenn Inspect Mercury (1962)
This inspection occurred just nine days after Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth in that capsule. JFK’s understanding of the importance of space exploration was crucial for NASA’s development.
Infantry at Heartbreak Ridge (1952)
Heartbreak Ridge, named for its emotional drain on troops, was the site of a month-long battle in 1952 during the Korean War. It was a pivotal moment, with U.S. infantrymen displaying exemplary bravery and resilience in the face of relentless attacks.
US Athletes at ’36 Olympiade (Barcelona, 1936)
The People’s Olympiad in Barcelona was an alternative to the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, scheduled to protest Nazi policies. However, the event was cancelled as Spanish Civil War broke out on the eve of its opening. Many American athletes were already onboard Columbus to participate.
Washington Monument: 1860 (Photo by Brady Handy)
This photo captures the Washington Monument at 152 feet, where construction halted due to lack of funds and onset of the Civil War. It remained unfinished at this height for 25 years before completion in 1885.
Eckerds Drug Store (1941)
Eckerds Drug Store in Raleigh, North Carolina, was quite influential during Christmas 1941 because it was among the few places available for holiday shopping due to the constraints of World War II. It was a community hub (not only a pharmacy) where people could find nearly everything, from common household items to special Christmas gifts.
Birmingham West End High (1963)
In 1963, West End High School in Birmingham, Alabama, was racially integrated, amid racial tensions and violent protests. This was a landmark event in the American civil rights movement. It profoundly shaped the course of education equality in the US.
German Soldiers Greet US POWs (1917)
This photo captures a historical moment in 1917 when some of the first American POWs were captured in WWI near Bathelémont. The German troops’ keen interest denotes the novelty of American involvement in the European war.
First Female Tattoo Artist (U.S. 1900s)
Maud Wagner, the first known female tattoo artist in the US, learned to tattoo by trading a date with her future husband for a lesson. Her work in the early 1900s paved the way for women in a predominantly male industry.
Physical Fitness: Not Just for Youngsters (11 Jan 1969)
This headline from a 1969 NYTimes article confronts the ageist notion that physical fitness is exclusive to the young. It emphasizes the importance and benefits of fitness in older age, advocating for healthier, active lifestyles among the elderly.
Longacre Square (1880)
Longacre Square in 1880 was vastly different from today’s bright, bustling Times Square. It was part of Manhattan’s carriage industry hub where horses were traded and horse-drawn carriages were made and repaired. It had a much quieter and slower-paced vibe.
MiG-29 Wreckage (Bosnia 1999)
The downed Yugoslav MiG-29 became a symbol of the 1999 NATO operation, codenamed “Allied Force,” aimed at ending Serbia’s brutal crackdown in Kosovo. It was Yugoslavia’s most advanced fighter, illustrating the technological superiority of NATO forces.
Soviet T-26 in Brest-Litovsk Parade (9/22/1939)
The parade marked a brief and uneasy alliance between Germany and USSR during WWII’s onset, following the secret Molotov-Ribbentrop pact, which divided Eastern Europe into their respective spheres of influence.
