40 Rare Photos Every History Buff Should See

Philippe Petit walks between the Twin Towers on a Tightrope, 1974

Phillips Petit had some serious ambition at the ripe age of 24. While most young adults are still figuring out what they want to do in life, he was already making history between the Twin Towers. Balance and poise still speak to our core during this harrowing representation of humanity and drive to achieve something extraordinary. Petit did an astounding job with his balancing act up in 1,300 feet in the air, leaving us all astounded. His ambition could have projected him to great heights no matter where it took him, only he claims that it was more of a compulsion than anything else. He states there’s really no ‘why’ but rather a deep desire that couldn’t be resisted.

Women in Iran Shortly before the Islamic Revolution

It’s incredible to see the scenes of carefree fun in this photo taken a few months before Iran’s Islamic Revolution. The beachgoers shown seem relaxed and happy, especially the women wearing revealing bathing suits – something that today would be considered completely unacceptable. One woman stands out particularly. She is playing guitar serenely close to the edge of the frame with a look of contentment on her face. It really looks like they were enjoying that moment in time before major changes came. The picture certainly shows us how much things have altered in Iran over the past forty-plus years since the revolution began.

Wendy’s Ad from 1980

It’s hard to forget this classic Wendy’s ad from the 1980s! Even today, it remains one of the most memorable commercials of all time. The bright colors, lively dancers, and catchy song capture the fun and cheerful atmosphere found in all Wendy’s locations. Along with touting the freshness of their hamburgers, this ad celebrates what has become a near-iconic part of fast food culture: square shaped burgers. From its very beginnings, Wendy’s has always been a place that offers something special that can’t be found anywhere else.

Bob Marley with Bunny Wailer and Peter Tos, 1964

It’s hard to believe from just one look at this 1964 photo of Bunny Wailer, Bob Marley and Peter Tosh that these three men would go on to make reggae music history. This image captures the earliest iteration of The Wailers as a band that originated in Jamaica during the early ’60s. Sharp-eyed fans will notice the individual instruments each member is playing, with Marley on guitar, Tosh handling keyboards, and Wailer taking care of drums. The trio played rocksteady and early reggae gigs, but had to go their own ways in 1974 following a disagreement concerning what type of venues they wanted to play. Nevertheless, Marley, Tosh and Wailer would all go on to become famous solo acts credited with putting Jamaican reggae on the map.

John Lennon’s psychedelic Rolls-Royce Phantom V and George Harrison’s Mini Cooper S.

While John Lennon chose a more cheeky, rebellious approach to decorating his Rolls Royce Phantom V with psychedelia, George Harrison opted for something a little bit more peaceful and serene. His 1966 Mini Cooper S was decorated with art inspired by the philosophy of Tantra. Much less controversial than Lennon’s choices, this decision came from a much different side of Harrison: his desire for peace and love. This comes as no surprise from the self-proclaimed “biggest lunatic around” whose memorable quote describing himself was: “I’m completely comical, you know? I like craziness”. Clearly, peace and love were always at the heart of what it meant to be one of the Beatles.

Arnold Schwarzenegger between two Giants, 1984

This iconic photo was taken on the set of Conan the Destroyer, a 1984 sequel to Arnold’s breakout hit, Conan the Barbarian. Premiering in theaters in June of that year, the movie made an attempt to capitalize on its predecessor’s success by adding in larger-than-life characters and villains, such as a mirror wizard that turns into a giant bird and captures a princess. While scores praised Schwarzenegger’s performance as “The Destroyer,” many moviegoers found that this was not enough to redeem the questionable plot points and poor casting choices – many would soon forget about Conan 2 despite its star-studded cast. The photo remains, however, an immortal reminder of one of Hollywood’s strangest triumphs.

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!