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!