"Amazing stories behind famous photographs,
"Raising the flag on Iwo Jima, 1945,
One of the most famous photographs to come out of the Second World War, photographer Joe Rosenthal's February 23, 1945 image of US Marines raising the Stars and Stripes atop Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima was reproduced around the world. It was actually the second flag to be hoisted on the island that day.
" Hindenburg disaster, 1937,
After its transatlantic flight, German passenger airship LZ 129 Hindenburg was attempting to dock with its mooring post at Lakehurst, New Jersey, on May 6, 1937 when it exploded in a ball of flame, killing 36 people. Newsreel footage and photographs of the disaster shattered public confidence in this mode of transport, spelling the end of the airship era.
" Lyndon Johnson taking the presidential oath, 1963,
In Dallas on November 22, 1963, just a few hours after the assassination of President Kennedy, Vice President Lyndon Johnson took the oath of office as 36th president of the United States aboard Air Force One at Dallas Love Field. The solemn ceremony was captured by news photographers. Among those present was Lady Bird Johnson and Jacqueline Kennedy.
" Black Power salute, 1968,
The 1968 Summer Olympic Games in Mexico witnessed two black American athletes, gold medalist Tommie Smith and bronze medalist John Carlos, raise their fists in a gesture against racial discrimination but widely seen as a "Black Power salute." The pair were subsequently vilified, threatened, and, in some circles, celebrated. With them on the podium is Australian sprinter Peter Norman, the silver medalist in the 200-meter run.
" 'Lunchtime atop a skyscraper,' 1932,
Taken on September 20, 1932 very likely by Charles C. Ebbets during the construction of the RCA Building (part of the Rockefeller Center) in New York City, 'Lunchtime atop a skyscraper' features 11 construction workers sitting on a steel beam 260 m (850 ft) above the ground during a lunch break. Decades later the New York Post described the image as "the most famous picture of a lunch break in New York history," and attempted to identify the men in the picture.
" Richard Nixon and Elvis Presley, 1970,
One of the most requested photographs in the entire US National Archives is an image of Elvis Presley, though not performing. Instead, it's a photograph of the singer's December 21, 1970 meeting with President Richard Nixon at the White House. Presley had asked for a badge from the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs and to be named a Federal Agent at Large, and had traveled to Washington, D.C. to follow up on his request. He was eventually issued with an honorary credential.
" View from the window at Le Gras, 1827,
French inventor Nicéphore Niépce is credited with producing the oldest surviving camera photograph, which depicts a view from his window in Saint-Loup-de-Varennes taken in 1827 and captured after an exposure time of around eight hours. Niépce is generally acknowledged as the first inventor of a process for making permanent photographs.
" Boulevard du Temple, Paris, 1839,
Look closely at this photograph taken by Louis-Jacques-Mandé Daguerre—one of the great pioneers of the medium. Boulevard du Temple should be busy with carriages, horses, and pedestrians. And it is. But nothing that moves quickly has been captured on the plate due to the very long exposure required to render the picture. But down in the bottom left of the frame is a man having his boot polished, and standing still while doing so. As a result, this famous Paris street scene is the first known photograph that depicts a human being. "
" Meeting of the rails, 1869,
American photographer Andrew Russell captured a historic moment on May 10, 1869 with his picture of the linking of the eastward and westward rail lines, which marked a key development in American expansion. Soon afterwards, western-bound travelers were no longer obliged to make the long and dangerous journey by four-wheel wagon.
" First flight of Wright brothers' aircraft, 1903,
The Wright Flyer was the first manned heavier-than-air powered and controlled aircraft in the world. Its maiden flight was captured in this historic image taken on December 17, 1903 at Kitty Hawk in North Carolina. Orville Wright piloted the airplane, while his brother Wilber served as an observer. The picture was taken by US government agency photographer John T. Daniels.
" Adolf Hitler in a crowd, 1914,
On August 2, 1914, German photographer Heinrich Hoffmann inadvertently captured a young Adolf Hitler among a huge crowd gathered in Munich's Odeonsplatz during a rally in support of war against Russia. The photo went on to become a favorite Nazi propaganda picture, appearing with captions such as "Adolf Hitler: A man of the People," and reproduced on numerous occasions in newspapers, political flyers, biographies, and school books.
" Albert Einstein birthday portrait, 1951,
On March 14, 1951 (the day of his 72nd birthday), Albert Einstein was caught by the paparazzi as he left work at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey. Irritated by the gathered press corps, the world-famous theoretical physicist stuck his tongue out rather than gift them with a smile.
" Marilyn Monroe on subway grate, 1954
One of the most endearing images of Marilyn Monroe is of her standing over a Manhattan subway grate as the draught blows her white dress up. Several photographers captured the moment on camera, which took place on September 16, 1954, during the filming of 'The Seven Year Itch.' Reportedly, Monroe's husband Joe DiMaggio was displeased at the attention his wife received from the crowds.
" Che Guevara portrait, 1960,
Known as Guerrillero Heroico, Alberto Korda's portrait of Che Guevara is one of the most recognized in the world. He took it on March 5, 1960, in Havana, Cuba. A cropped version of the image has since been circulated around the world, finding its way on flags, posters, wall murals, and mosaics, and reproduced countless times in books, magazine, and newspapers.
" 'Earthrise,' 1968,
Not every great image is taken by a professional photographer. On December 24, 1968, astronaut William Anders captured a photograph of the Earth and a portion of the Moon's surface that became known as 'Earthrise.' This now legendary picture took 90 seconds to make, with command module pilot Jim Lovell commenting: "The vast loneliness is awe-inspiring, and it makes you realize just what you have back there on Earth."
" Hand of God, 1986,
Argentina player Diego Maradona outjumps England goalkeeper Peter Shilton to score with his "hand of God" goal as England defenders Kenny Sansom (top), Gary Stevens (center), and Terry Fenwick look on during the 1986 FIFA World Cup quarter final at the Azteca Stadium on June 22 in Mexico City. The notorious incident was captured live on television and by numerous photographers.
" 'Pillars of Creation,' 1995
Published here in its original cropped format, the outstanding photograph known as the 'Pillars of Creation' taken by the Hubble Space Telescope on April 1, 1995 is so named because it shows huge plumes of dust and gas in the Eagle Nebular creating new stars—the first time such an event had been recorded.
" 'The Situation Room,' 2011
White House photographer Pete Souza caught the reaction of President Barack Obama and his national security team inside the White House Situation Room on May 1, 2011 the moment Osama bin Laden was shot and killed during a raid by US Navy Seals on the al-Qaeda leader's compound in Pakistan.
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