50 Iconic and Rare Historical Photographs

We at HistoryColored have decided to curate 50 interesting, rare and iconic photos from history. There are many reasons why a photograph may be featured on this list. Some of the reasons include: it was the first time something was ever captured on camera, it shows a famous figure from history, the image depicts an important historical event, it is a “rare” photo that does not get shared as much as it should, or it is an “iconic” historical photo. It may not fall under any of these categories but can still be featured in this list for a different reason.

These photographs are in no particular order. They have been curated and added to the list over a long period of time, so no decision was taken on how they should be ordered. Be sure to take the time to check out every historical photograph featured on this list!

As well as this list, be sure to check out the other photos featured on HistoryColored!

1. The First Photograph Ever Taken, 1826 or 1827

The first photograph in history, the view from a window at Le Gras in 1826 or 1827.
The oldest surviving photograph to exist. It was taken by pioneer photographer, Joseph Nicéphore Niépce. The scene depicts a view from a window in Nicéphore Niépce’s estate known as Le Gras in Saint-Loup-de-Varennes, Bourgogne, France in 1826 or 1827. Credit: Wikimedia Commons // Public Domain

2. General William Tecumseh Sherman, circa 1865

Side profile photograph of General William Tecumseh Sherman in his Union Army military uniform in c. 1865
Side profile of Union Army Major General, and the Commanding General of the US Army, William Tecumseh Sherman, in his Union Army military uniform in circa 1865. Credit: Wikimedia Commons // Public Domain

3. Dali Atomicus, 1948

Salvador Dali suspended in mid air along with other objects within the iconic photograph Dali Atomicus taken in 1948
The photographic artwork by Philippe Halsman called “Dali Atomicus” showing three cats water, an easel, a chair, and Salvador Dalí all frozen in mid-air, 1948. This was the 28th attempt at taking this photograph. Credit: Library of Congress // Public Domain

4. The Solvay Conference on Quantum Mechanics, 1927

Key attendees of the 1927 Solvay conference photographed sitting down and in suits. The names are Auguste Piccard, Émile Henriot, Paul Ehrenfest, Édouard Herzen, Théophile de Donder, Erwin Schrödinger, Jules-Émile Verschaffelt, Wolfgang Pauli, Werner Heisenberg, Ralph Howard Fowler, Léon Brillouin,
Peter Debye, Martin Knudsen, William Lawrence Bragg, Hendrik Anthony Kramers, Paul Dirac, Arthur Compton, Louis de Broglie, Max Born, Niels Bohr,
Irving Langmuir, Max Planck, Marie Skłodowska Curie, Hendrik Lorentz, Albert Einstein, Paul Langevin, Charles Eugène Guye, Charles Thomson Rees Wilson, Owen Willans Richardson
The 1927 Solvay Conference on Quantum Mechanics at the Institut International de Physique Solvay in Brussels, Belgium. This image features many of the greatest scientists in modern history. Some of those that you may recognize are: Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, Max Planck, Niels Bohr, and Auguste Piccard. See the full list of names here. Credit: Wikimedia Commons // Public Domain

5. King George V & Tsar Nicholas II Together, 1913

Nicholas II of Russia photographed alongside similar looking and cousin King George V of the United Kingdom, while wearing military uniform.
First cousins and royals Tsar Nicholas II of Russia (left) & King George V of the United Kingdom (right) photographed together wearing military uniforms in Berlin, Germany, 1913. Credit: Library of Congress // Public Domain

6. The Manhattan Bridge Under Construction, 1909

Photographs of the Manhattan Bridge under construction. You can see the layout of the bridge but there is still a lot to build. March 23 1909.
The construction of the Manhattan Bridge on the East River in New York City. This photograph was taken on March 23, 1909. The bridge finished construction in 1909 and first opened up on the 31st of December 1909. Credit: Library of Congress // Public Domain

7. Soviet Prisoner of War, 1940

An injured Prisoner of War from the Soviet Union with a bandage around his bloody head, with clothing wrapped around his body. He looks cold as he is near the Arctic Circle where temperatures can get to -43 degrees Celsius
An injured Soviet Prisoner of War (POW) dressed in new clothes near the Arctic Circle in Rovaniemi, Finland, during the Winter War on the 6th of January 1940. Credit: Military Museum of Finland // CC BY 4.0

8. Dr. Wernher von Braun with 5 F-1 Engines

Aerospace engineer Wernher von Braun standing next to five F-1 rocket engines in 1969.
Dr. Wernher von Braun, an aerospace engineer that was a leading figure in Nazi German rocket technology, and then United States rocket technology, photographed standing in front of five F-1 rocket engines in circa 1969. Credit: Wikimedia Commons // Public Domains

My MIL Came to My Work Demanding I Pay for Expensive Caviar, the Lesson I Taught Her Had Everyone Applauding

The faint store music couldn’t drown out the sound of her heels clicking on the polished floor as she made her grand entrance. Denise had that air of superiority, as if everyone should pause and admire her presence. And to be honest, she expected just that.

Dressed in a tailored designer coat, oversized sunglasses (despite being indoors), and a diamond necklace that probably cost more than my annual salary, she exuded the “look-at-me” vibe she always carried.

When she headed straight for my register, I felt my stomach flip. What on earth was she doing here? Denise had never come to my job before, and I sincerely wished it could have stayed that way forever. Her disapproving looks and passive-aggressive comments had always made me feel two inches tall, constantly reminding me I wasn’t “good enough” for her beloved son, Jack.

We’ve been married for five years, but my MIL never stopped finding ways to remind me of my supposed shortcomings. Jack, trying to avoid conflict, always took the easy way out, saying, “That’s just how Mom is.” His unwillingness to stand up for me drove me crazy, but I loved him and hoped Denise would eventually get tired of her antics. For years, I bit my tongue and let her behavior slide. But not anymore. Yesterday was the last straw.

Denise stopped in front of my register, her fake smile sending chills down my spine. In her arms were two cans of caviar—the finest, most expensive variety, each costing more than a month’s rent.

“Sweetheart,” she cooed in her signature tone that masked her condescension, placing the tins on the counter with a soft thud. She glanced around, probably ensuring she had an audience before continuing. “I need you to take care of this.”

I blinked, confused. “Sure,” I said, reaching to scan the cans.

But she stopped me with an exaggerated sigh. “No, dear. I need you to take care of it,” she clarified, her voice laced with irritation, as if explaining something obvious to a child.

“Take care of it?” I repeated, unsure if I had misunderstood.

Denise tilted her head, giving me a pitying look. “Yes, darling, pay for it. You’ve always been a bit slow, haven’t you?” she sneered. “I’m hosting a dinner party tonight, and my guests expect nothing but the best. I’m sure Jack won’t mind if you help out. After all, it’s what family does.”

I stared at her, stunned. Did she really just ask me to pay hundreds of dollars for caviar on the spot?

“Denise, that’s a lot of money,” I began, trying to stay calm.

But she waved me off. “Oh, don’t be dramatic. Jack will cover it. You’re his wife, and it’s your job to help out with things like this.” She leaned in, lowering her voice. “If you don’t, I’ll make sure Jack knows how uncooperative you’re being.”

That was the final straw.

I had tolerated a lot from Denise over the years, but this? This was different. She expected me to foot the bill for her extravagant party and had the nerve to try and manipulate me into it.

I could feel my coworkers and customers watching, sensing the tension. My heart pounded, but I knew exactly what I had to do. I forced a smile and leaned in, pretending to play along.

“You know what, Denise?” I said, my voice just loud enough for everyone nearby to hear. “You’re absolutely right. I will take care of it.”

Her eyes gleamed with satisfaction. She thought she had won. “I knew you’d see reason,” she purred.

I scanned the caviar, watching the price rise on the register. Then, without hesitation, I pressed the microphone button connected to the store’s PA system.

“Attention, shoppers,” my voice echoed through the store. “I’d like to introduce you to a very special guest—my mother-in-law, Denise! She’s here to buy two cans of our finest caviar and has graciously asked me, her daughter-in-law, to pay for them. Let’s give her a round of applause for being such a generous family member!”

For a split second, there was silence. Then, someone in the back began clapping, followed by a few others. Within moments, the whole store erupted in applause! My coworkers were grinning, and even the customers were chuckling and clapping along.

Denise’s face flushed a deep shade of red. She glared at me, her voice low and furious. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” she hissed.

I smiled sweetly. “Oh, I just thought everyone should know how generous you are. Isn’t that what you wanted?”

Without another word, she grabbed the bagged caviar, lips pressed into a thin line, and stormed out of the store. The applause and laughter continued as she clicked her way across the floor and out the door.

After she left, my coworker Rachel sidled up to me, barely containing her laughter. “That,” she whispered, “was the most legendary thing I’ve ever seen.”

Even the store manager, who had been watching from the back, gave me a wink. “Remind me never to get on your bad side,” he said with a grin.

I finished my shift on a high note. It wasn’t just the applause or the fact that I had finally stood up to Denise in a public way—it was knowing that, for once, I had outplayed her.

Later that night, when I got home, I braced myself for the fallout. Jack was sitting on the couch, scrolling through his phone. He looked up, both confused and amused.

“So… what exactly happened with my mom today?” he asked, fighting back a laugh.

I sat down and told him everything. I expected him to be angry, but instead, he shook his head, barely holding in his laughter.

“You know,” he said, “I think she might leave us alone for a while.”

And you know what? He was right. Since then, my MIL hasn’t called, texted, or shown up.

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