Photos: nostalgic moments that give a glimpse into the past
Sometimes, society has a way of looking at historical figures and moments in a boring fashion. However, these photos captured throughout time prove otherwise!
From Princess Diana running in a race (barefoot and wearing a dress!) to women saying goodbye to their loved ones before they go off to war, these photos are more than amazing.
Getting To Woodstock By Any Means Necessary
The summer of 1969 was a summer of love and the Woodstock Music and Arts Fair. People from all over the country made their way to Max Yasgur’s dairy farm in Bethel, New York.
These two men were so eager to get to the festival they hitched a ride in the trunk of a car!
The First Women To Run The Boston Marathon: Katherine Switzer
With a love for running, Katherine Switzer did something no woman dared to do in 1967 — she ran alongside the men in the Boston Marathon.
At first, no one realized she was a woman. Then, Jock Semple noticed who she was and tried to rip her number off her shirt. It didn’t work, and Switzer became the first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon.
Don Cornell Once Made A Big Impression Where He Went
Up until 1949, Don Cornell was best known as a vocalist in the Sammy Kaye Band. However, it wasn’t long after he went solo that the decision started paying off, as hinted by this photo from a surprise record store appearance with adoring fans in 1950.
Between that year and 1962, Cornell would achieve 12 gold records. He may not be a household name now, but he was a big name at the time.
Celebrities Facing Legal Trouble Is Hardly A New Phenomenon
While it’s hardly uncommon for famous entertainers to run afoul of the law nowadays, the chance to see them as they showed up for court appearances was a much more exciting prospect at the time. That’s why these police officers are circling John Lennon here, as a crowd is trying to mob him after he departs from a London courthouse.
Although she’s not pictured here, Yoko Ono was also present for this chaotic display, as both she and Lennon had been charged with possession of marijuana and obstructing police. They were released on bail shortly before this photo was taken and their trial was set for November 28th, 1968. He would be fined £150 after pleading guilty for fear that Ono would be deported if he didn’t.
Margaux Hemingway Was In A Place Dear To Her Family
While it was uncommon to see Americans in Cuba during the 1970s (especially American celebrities), actress and model Margaux Hemingway had a special reason to tour Havana on the day that saw her brightly smile in this photograph.
She had traveled there in 1978 to visit the home of her grandfather, Ernest Hemingway, and to walk in his footsteps through the places he once frequented there. Undoubtedly, he’s depicted in the photo she was carrying.
Charlie Chaplin And Helen Keller
While filming the silent movie Deliverance in 1918, Helen Keller, along with her companion Polly Thomson and first teacher Anne Sullivan, met with famed movie comedian Charlie Chaplin.
Here, all four are photographed together, looking off into the distance as Chaplin points something out to the ladies on the film set.
A Young Prodigy Held His Own Against A Grandmaster
In 1946, 14-year-old Arturito Pomar of Madrid was engaged in a pitched Chess match against Russian-French grandmaster Dr. Ossip Bernstein. This was something of an exhibition match, as Bernstein was considered the oldest grandmaster at the time.
Although Pomar had already shown his prodigious talents by forcing two draws in games against the then-reigning champion Alexander Alekhine, the fact that he was able to do the same against Bernstein proved that was no fluke.
Truman Capote Had More Talents Than Writing
While he was certainly an outspoken iconoclast and an accomplished novelist and playwright, not every moment of Truman Capote’s life was a gala event. Here, we can see him in the zone as he prepares a signature dish called “chicken au chocolat.”
It’s unclear how he came to make the dish at this unspecified kitchen counter in Venice, Italy, but the city’s immense beauty compelled Capote to become a frequent visitor after his intial voyage in 1948. This was taken later, at an unspecified time in the 1950s.
Even She Couldn’t Have Predicted Her Future Here
While it’s hardly unusual for the Academy Awards to invite celebrities who have little to do with the movie business to the ceremony, that was apparently just as true in 1968. That was when Sonny and Cher were invited for the first time and stopped for this interview before heading inside.
At the time, it was their celebrity in other facets of show business that earned them their place here, but Cher would be back as a nominee 20 years later. Then, she would win an Oscar of her own for her leading performance in Moonstruck.
Albert Einstein Sitting With A Young Opera Star
Albert Einstein is known for his brain and his contributions to both the fields of science and mathematics. However, he was also a connoisseur of the arts.
Here, the famed mathematician is seen sitting with a young up-and-coming opera singer, Hermann Jadlowker. The singer was a famous star of the Berlin State Opera for many years.
Marilyn Monroe Reading A Geat Well Card From Joe DiMaggio
From 1954 to 1955, actress and model Marilyn Monroe was connected to Yankee superstar Joe DiMaggio. They had a brief but epic romance which is seen here, even though DiMaggio isn’t in the photo.
While lying in bed, Monroe is seen smiling as she reads a get-well card from the baseball player.
Meat Loaf Was An Even Bigger Deal In 1978 Than It Seemed
This photo isn’t significant because Meat Loaf made a silly face while wearing a Roxy Music T-shirt, but where he’s doing it. On April 12, 1978, Turtles Records and Tapes in Atlanta, Georgia, decided to hold a “Meat Loaf Midnight Madness” event.
While details of the event were sparse, the record store went to enough trouble to arrange for a 500-pound meatloaf cake for the event. Clearly, it was an impressive enough affair that even the man himself had to check it out.
This Doesn’t Look Like It Can Be Done In A Closed Space
This photo, taken in Chicago in 1950, is a publicity shot from Scotty Bjurstrom Agency, who were demonstrating the Lindy Hop Flip popular among youths at the time.
While it’s true that some dance crazes fall out of fashion quickly, it would seem that the death knell for this one concerns how much acrobatic ability it takes to pull off. Any dance hall where people were doing this should’ve given out crash helmets.
It Would Be Hard Not To Remain Reeling Even Then
On December 7, 1965, Jacqueline Kennedy was photographed arriving at New York City’s Mark Hellinger Theater to catch a performance of the Broadway show, On a Clear Day You Can See Forever.
Although he’s not pictured, Kennedy came to the theater in the company of a man named Alan Jay Lerner. While she smiled brightly in other photos from this evening, it was nonetheless clear from this one that the specter of mourning hung over her.
A Cozy Moment For Santana After A Show
On March 4, 1977, legendary musician Carlos Santana played the Roseland Ballroom in New York City. Although he was eight years removed from his legendary performmance at Woodstock, Santana’s star was nowhere near finished rising.
This photo depicts him taking a phone call backstage after the show but it also catches him in a cozy and adorable embrace with Deborah Santana, his wife at the time.
Steve Jobs In 1984, A Year Before The iPhone Patent
It is hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t know about the legendary Steve Jobs. This photo shows Jobs with his partner John Scully at the Apple Computer Show in 1984.
Amazingly, this show, which is now known as the MacWorld Show, was held just one year before Jobs’ first patent for the iPhone was released.
Princess Diana Running Barefoot During A Race
Royals typically don’t make it a habit of running barefoot across lawns at their children’s schools, let alone wearing a dress! However, Princess Diana was not known to stick to the rules of the royal household.
Here, she is sprinting alongside the other mothers, hoping to win a race at her son, Prince Harry’s, school function.
People Lining Up To Get Inside Studio 54
Open in 1927, the legendary Studio 54 in New York was first an entertainment club and theater before becoming a nightclub in the 1970s.
When that happened, Studio 54 attracted numerous big names in show business, including Elton John, Debbie Harry, Faye Dunaway, Mick Jagger, David Bowie, and many more A-list actors and musicians.
Elvis Presley Looking Out A Train Window During His Deployment
Elvis Presley might be known as The King of Rock and Roll, but he was also a military man who served in the United States Army from 1958 until 1960.
While the war was over, Presley was still deployed to Frankfort, Germany, in 1958. Here, he is looking out a train window at the city, waving to some of his fans who gathered to see the star.
Pamela Anderson Lounging During A Charity Baseball Game
Known for her 1990s roles in Baywatch and Home Improvement, Pamela Anderson was one of the biggest stars of the decade.
Here is a rare photo of the actress lounging around. It just so happens that she is taking a break from playing in the Hollywood All-Stars Charity Baseball Game in 1992.
The Cast Of Star Wars In 1977
The epic space opera Star Wars premiered in 1977. No one knew that it would pave the way for an entire franchise, one of the most beloved in the world.
The three stars, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford, can be seen here doing an interview during their press tour in Denver, Colorado.
The World’s Fair In 1939
From 1939 until 1940, New York hosted the World’s Fair. The second-most expensive World’s Fair to be held on American soil, the grounds covered 1,202 acres and saw 44 million people attend throughout the seasons.
The amazing aspect of this particular fair was it was the first one to showcase futuristic technology, bringing people into "the world of tomorrow."
Madonna Out Jogging With A Massive Entourage
In the 1980s, The Queen of Pop, Madonna, was one of the biggest stars in the world. With her eccentric stage presence and catchy songs, it was hard to find someone who didn’t know her name.
Here, the legendary singer is seen jogging on the French Riviera with a whole lot of people following her on foot and in cars.
Queen Elizabeth As A Princess In The 1940s
Many people forget that Queen Elizabeth wasn’t born as the Queen of England. Once upon a time, she was just the Princess.
Even so, she did many royal duties around Buckingham, including answering phone calls and writing important notes and messages at her desk, as seen in the above picture.
Muhammad Ali Getting Swarmed For Autographs In The 1980s
One of the greatest boxers of all time and a legendary pop culture figure in the 20th century was Muhammad Ali. Nicknamed "The Greatest," Ali won 56 of his 61 fights during his career, 37 of which he won by knockout.
As the greatest, it is no wonder people swarmed the legend in the hopes of getting an autograph.
Two Stars At The Grease Premiere Party
The musical Grease was released in theaters in 1978. Of course, a premier party followed the iconic film, starring Oliva Newton-John and John Travolta.
At Studio 54 in New York City, Newton-John and singer Elton John posed for a picture, both wearing brightly colored clothing and a huge smile on their face. Little did the actress know that the movie would become a classic.
Dean Martin And Frank Sinatra Goofing Around
Two members of the legendary Rat Pack, Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra, are seen goofing off on the variety television program The Dean Martin Show.
While they were both singers, their love of entertainment brought them in front of the camera and all the small and silver screen numerous times throughout their respective careers.
The Beatles After The British Invasion
In the mid-1960s, the British Invasion saw amazing bands such as The Beatles make their way to American soil. Here, Beatles guitarists John Lennon and George Harrison are seen in their tour bus, getting ready to film the Magical Mystery Tour.
While the film did not garner positive reviews, the soundtrack was met with critical acclaim.
Military Women Singing During World War II
Men weren’t the only ones involved in the war effort. During World War II, women banded together to help in any way they could, including working in factories and as nurses.
Here, some women are seen taking a little time off working. They are standing together and singing from a musical score.
