50 Interesting Historical Photographs That Might Teach You Something New

The keeping of written history records appears relatively late, only 5,000 years ago in Egypt and ancient Sumer. Before that, knowledge about the past would be passed on from memory, with ancient storytellers being able to recite stories for days. 

"Before photographs, people recorded history through oral traditions, written records, visual depictions, and physical artifacts. Oral storytelling preserved myths, genealogies, and events in societies without writing, while early civilizations used cuneiform, hieroglyphs, and manuscripts to document their histories," further explained Margot Note, expert archival consultant and founder of Margot Note Consulting LLC, to Bored Panda.

"Visual methods included prehistoric rock art, detailed frescoes, and narrative tapestries like the Bayeux Tapestry. Historical records were also embedded in physical forms such as inscriptions on monuments, architectural achievements, and coins bearing rulers’ likenesses. Tools like the Inca’s knotted strings (quipu) and European chronicles showcased inventive ways to preserve memory. These methods reflect humanity’s enduring desire to document and interpret the past, paving the way for photography as a more permanent and detailed medium."

History record-keeping picked up pretty fast and just within a few centuries we already had elaborate written chronicles. Written documents started to gain authority over oral stories because it was much harder to change them when they were written down. 

Evidence also became important, as relying on what someone’s grandmother said to their dad didn’t cut it anymore. However, one downside to noting down the past at the time was that it only told the stories of the rich because most people still couldn’t read or write. 

Another interesting aspect of our history is that it only started to be precise and make chronological sense after the first ancient Olympic games in 776 BCE and the building of Rome in 753 BCE.

However, scholars have figured out various ways to precisely date events even before there were written records. Like finding radioactive materials to date objects such as bones or food remains.

Art was also very important in recording history. Many historical figures and events are immortalized in paintings and sculptures. However, until the advent of photography in 1826–27, people had to settle on seeing such images through the eyes of the artists who painted them, which might have been not entirely accurate. 

The invention of photography not only allowed people to see how things really were in the past but also allowed ordinary people to leave their own mark on it. A person who was born more than 150 years ago and wasn’t wealthy could only be remembered by carving their name into an important monument or doing something heroic or noteworthy.

Margot even says that photography is considered a more effective method of recording history compared to earlier methods since it captures visual reality with unparalleled accuracy and immediacy.

"Unlike oral traditions or written records, which are subject to interpretation, memory loss, or bias, photographs provide a direct and detailed representation of a moment in time. This allows future generations to see historical events, people, and places as they truly appeared, offering a level of authenticity and emotional connection that earlier methods may lack," she explained.

In addition, she says that photography democratizes historical documentation. "Previously, recording history often required specialized skills like writing or artistry, which were limited to certain classes or institutions. Photography, especially with modern technology, enables a broader range of people to document their lives and environments, creating a more inclusive and diverse historical record."

However, nothing is without limitations. "Like earlier methods, it can be selective and influenced by the perspective of the photographer. Despite this, its immediacy, accessibility, and ability to preserve fleeting moments make it a uniquely powerful tool for recording history, complementing rather than entirely replacing earlier methods," Margot says.

A few of the pictures that defined history and shaped collective memory, in Morgot's opinion, are “Migrant Mother” by Dorothea Lange, symbolizing the human cost of the Great Depression, "Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima" by Joe Rosenthal, embodying resilience during World War II; and “Earthrise” by William Anders, which inspired environmental awareness by showcasing planet Earth from space.