40 Rare Photos Every History Buff Should See

Blues Legend “Lightnin” Hopkins, 1961

The photo of Samuel John “Lightnin” Hopkins from 1961 captures a blues legend whose work has been largely overshadowed. Despite his lack of big hits, Hopkins’ influence on American music is undeniable. Growing up in rural Centerville, Texas, he was exposed to the folk blues which inspired him to play guitar at a young age. Unfortunately, he had to take a break in the ’30s when he spent time in prison but upon release, he headed to Los Angeles to record for Aladdin Records. The self-taught player returned to Houston and mainly stayed there while continuing to craft his own sound of jazz and country.

Batman Cast Behind-the-Scene, 1966

It’s no surprise that the 1966 Adam West Batman series managed to draw some big stars to their set – even Jerry Lewis, believe it or not. While he didn’t land the role of classic villain The Joker in the show, viewers were treated to a special one-time appearance from him during the episode “The Bookworm Turns”. In this scene, Batman and Robin are walking up a building and who do they happen to see popping out from one of the windows? If you guessed Jerry Lewis, then you nailed it! This funny cameo was just another example of how the 1960s Batman brought together both iconic villains with bigger-than-life actors like Lewis.

Hippie Haters Protesting, 1960s

The hippie movement of the 1960s was a huge cultural phenomenon, antithetical to the norms of most people at the time. Though they achieved great progress in discourse around issues like pacifism, civil rights and freedom of expression, many members of older generations rejected their rebellious behavior and appearances. The photo shown here gives us a glimpse into this divide – an unsettling reminder that for all the good that hippies did during one of the most tumultuous decades in modern history, they were still generally met with animosity by those stuck in traditional values.

The Burning Monk, 1963

This was a powerful image that captured the world’s attention. In 1963, Malcolm Browne arrived in Saigon and as soon as he saw Thich Quang Duc occupying a street corner, surrounded by activists, his sensitivity for news kicked in and he realized what was about to transpire. As bystanders watched with horror, two fellow monks tipped a lever of fuel over the elderly man’s robe and lit him up with dramatic poise. Browne took pictures several seconds apart, capturing an act of protest that had an immediate effect on global attitudes towards the Ngo Dinh Diem administration in South Vietnam. His immortalizing photograph is still an enduring example of non-violent civil resistance.

From fascinating images that capture some of history’s most important moments to those that provide us with glimpses into everyday life long ago, these rare historical photos offer us invaluable insights into our past – insights that can help us better understand our present and future too! Whether you’re curious about what life looked like during historic events or want to get up close and personal with some rarely seen artifacts from ancient civilizations, these 40 rare historical photos are sure to give you plenty of food for thought!