50 Iconic and Rare Historical Photographs

We at HistoryColored have decided to curate 50 interesting, rare and iconic photos from history. There are many reasons why a photograph may be featured on this list. Some of the reasons include: it was the first time something was ever captured on camera, it shows a famous figure from history, the image depicts an important historical event, it is a “rare” photo that does not get shared as much as it should, or it is an “iconic” historical photo. It may not fall under any of these categories but can still be featured in this list for a different reason.

These photographs are in no particular order. They have been curated and added to the list over a long period of time, so no decision was taken on how they should be ordered. Be sure to take the time to check out every historical photograph featured on this list!

As well as this list, be sure to check out the other photos featured on HistoryColored!

1. The First Photograph Ever Taken, 1826 or 1827

The first photograph in history, the view from a window at Le Gras in 1826 or 1827.
The oldest surviving photograph to exist. It was taken by pioneer photographer, Joseph Nicéphore Niépce. The scene depicts a view from a window in Nicéphore Niépce’s estate known as Le Gras in Saint-Loup-de-Varennes, Bourgogne, France in 1826 or 1827. Credit: Wikimedia Commons // Public Domain

2. General William Tecumseh Sherman, circa 1865

Side profile photograph of General William Tecumseh Sherman in his Union Army military uniform in c. 1865
Side profile of Union Army Major General, and the Commanding General of the US Army, William Tecumseh Sherman, in his Union Army military uniform in circa 1865. Credit: Wikimedia Commons // Public Domain

3. Dali Atomicus, 1948

Salvador Dali suspended in mid air along with other objects within the iconic photograph Dali Atomicus taken in 1948
The photographic artwork by Philippe Halsman called “Dali Atomicus” showing three cats water, an easel, a chair, and Salvador Dalí all frozen in mid-air, 1948. This was the 28th attempt at taking this photograph. Credit: Library of Congress // Public Domain

4. The Solvay Conference on Quantum Mechanics, 1927

Key attendees of the 1927 Solvay conference photographed sitting down and in suits. The names are Auguste Piccard, Émile Henriot, Paul Ehrenfest, Édouard Herzen, Théophile de Donder, Erwin Schrödinger, Jules-Émile Verschaffelt, Wolfgang Pauli, Werner Heisenberg, Ralph Howard Fowler, Léon Brillouin,
Peter Debye, Martin Knudsen, William Lawrence Bragg, Hendrik Anthony Kramers, Paul Dirac, Arthur Compton, Louis de Broglie, Max Born, Niels Bohr,
Irving Langmuir, Max Planck, Marie Skłodowska Curie, Hendrik Lorentz, Albert Einstein, Paul Langevin, Charles Eugène Guye, Charles Thomson Rees Wilson, Owen Willans Richardson
The 1927 Solvay Conference on Quantum Mechanics at the Institut International de Physique Solvay in Brussels, Belgium. This image features many of the greatest scientists in modern history. Some of those that you may recognize are: Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, Max Planck, Niels Bohr, and Auguste Piccard. See the full list of names here. Credit: Wikimedia Commons // Public Domain

5. King George V & Tsar Nicholas II Together, 1913

Nicholas II of Russia photographed alongside similar looking and cousin King George V of the United Kingdom, while wearing military uniform.
First cousins and royals Tsar Nicholas II of Russia (left) & King George V of the United Kingdom (right) photographed together wearing military uniforms in Berlin, Germany, 1913. Credit: Library of Congress // Public Domain

6. The Manhattan Bridge Under Construction, 1909

Photographs of the Manhattan Bridge under construction. You can see the layout of the bridge but there is still a lot to build. March 23 1909.
The construction of the Manhattan Bridge on the East River in New York City. This photograph was taken on March 23, 1909. The bridge finished construction in 1909 and first opened up on the 31st of December 1909. Credit: Library of Congress // Public Domain

7. Soviet Prisoner of War, 1940

An injured Prisoner of War from the Soviet Union with a bandage around his bloody head, with clothing wrapped around his body. He looks cold as he is near the Arctic Circle where temperatures can get to -43 degrees Celsius
An injured Soviet Prisoner of War (POW) dressed in new clothes near the Arctic Circle in Rovaniemi, Finland, during the Winter War on the 6th of January 1940. Credit: Military Museum of Finland // CC BY 4.0

8. Dr. Wernher von Braun with 5 F-1 Engines

Aerospace engineer Wernher von Braun standing next to five F-1 rocket engines in 1969.
Dr. Wernher von Braun, an aerospace engineer that was a leading figure in Nazi German rocket technology, and then United States rocket technology, photographed standing in front of five F-1 rocket engines in circa 1969. Credit: Wikimedia Commons // Public Domains

We Baptized Our Baby – Priest’s Whispered Words Changed Everything!

Daniel thought his life was perfect. He had a loving wife, a newborn daughter, and a family baptism to celebrate their joy. But everything changed when the priest held their baby and whispered, “This is impossible.” His words sent a chill through the church, unraveling secrets and causing Daniel’s world to fall apart.

I stood by the nursery window, watching the morning light shine through the lace curtains. It created a soft glow around Brittany’s crib. I couldn’t help but smile; this was everything I had ever wanted.

Daniel felt like the luckiest man alive as he looked down at his newborn daughter, Brittany. She was so peaceful and small; she was perfect. For years, he had dreamed of this moment—being married, becoming a dad, and living in a house he helped design. It all seemed like a dream when he first met Nadine in college.

Source: Midjourney

He remembered how she caught his eye, sitting outside the library with her sketchbook. Daniel knew she was someone special. They fell in love quickly, and now, after five years of marriage, they had their little angel, Brittany, who had just turned four months old.

Source: Midjourney

Daniel should have been happy, and he was, but lately, something felt off. Nadine had been quiet and distant, and he thought it was just the stress of being new parents and her freelance work. But it was wearing on him. He noticed her looking at Brittany sometimes with a tight expression, as if she was carrying a heavy burden.

Source: Midjourney

Today was supposed to be a joyful day—the baptism of Brittany. Daniel hoped it would lift Nadine’s spirits. He turned to look at her as she slept under a blanket, hoping this special day would help.

When they arrived at the church, Daniel felt a sense of home. The old stone walls and the smell of incense were comforting. His family had been coming here for generations, and it was part of their story. Nadine walked beside him, holding Brittany, but she looked pale and didn’t say much. He assumed she was just nervous.

Source: Midjourney

As they walked toward the altar, Daniel asked, “You okay?” She managed a tight smile and replied, “Yeah, just… a little nervous.” He squeezed her hand, thinking everything would be fine.

Father Gabriel welcomed them warmly, and the ceremony began with prayers and blessings. Daniel felt proud to be there with his family, thinking about how everything was finally perfect.

But then, when Father Gabriel took Brittany in his arms, something changed. The atmosphere felt heavy, and Daniel sensed something was wrong. The priest’s hands trembled, and he looked shaken.

Source: Midjourney

“What’s wrong?” Daniel asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Father Gabriel’s face was pale as he replied, “This is impossible… this child… she’s my brother’s.”

Daniel froze, unable to process what he had just heard. “What did you say?” he asked, his voice cracking with disbelief.

Father Gabriel explained that both he and his brother had a birthmark behind their left ear and that Brittany had it too. Daniel felt as if the ground had disappeared beneath him. Brittany was his daughter! He turned to Nadine, but she was backing away, her face as pale as a ghost, and then she ran out of the church without a word.

Source: Midjourney

“Nadine!” Daniel shouted, but she didn’t stop or look back. The church was silent, and all he could hear was the ringing in his ears. Panic surged within him.

Father Gabriel tried to explain that it couldn’t be a coincidence, but Daniel couldn’t understand. Brittany was his baby. He chased after Nadine, feeling the panic grow.

When Daniel reached home, he found Nadine frantically packing a suitcase. “You’re not leaving,” he said coldly. “Not until you tell me the truth.”

Source: Midjourney

Nadine kept packing, trembling as she threw clothes into the bag. “Daniel, I—”

“Is it true?” he demanded, anger boiling over. “Is Brittany not mine?”

She paused, and the room went silent. Slowly, she turned to him, tears streaming down her face. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered. “I never meant for you to find out like this.”

“Find out like this?” Daniel repeated, feeling heartbroken. “How did you expect me to find out? At her graduation?”

Source: Midjourney

Nadine looked down. “I didn’t know how to tell you. It was a mistake. I was lonely, and Matthew… it just happened.”

“A mistake?” he laughed bitterly. “This is our whole life! Was it all a lie?”

She shook her head, sobbing. “I love you, Daniel. I never wanted to hurt you.”

“You’ve already destroyed me,” he whispered, feeling lost.

The truth hurt, and there was nothing left to say. Nadine, the woman he loved, had betrayed him. She took off her wedding ring and placed it on the nightstand.

“What about Brittany? Are you leaving her too?” he asked, stunned.

Source: Midjourney

Nadine sighed deeply. “I’m sorry, but I’m not cut out to be a mother. I don’t even know where I’m going from here.”

Daniel couldn’t believe what he was hearing, but before he could respond, she was gone.

That night, Daniel felt hollow. He sat in the living room, staring at nothing while Brittany slept upstairs. He couldn’t understand how everything had fallen apart so quickly. One moment, he was the happiest man alive, and the next, his life felt like a lie.

Father Gabriel’s words echoed in his mind—“She’s my brother’s.” But when he thought about leaving Brittany, his heart ached. She might not be his by blood, but she was still his daughter. He had been there for her since birth, holding her, feeding her, and comforting her.

He went upstairs and quietly opened the door to her room. Brittany was so peaceful, her tiny chest rising and falling with each breath. He sat beside her crib, tears in his eyes.

“You’re mine,” he whispered. “No matter what, you’re mine.”

Daniel realized that love isn’t just about blood or biology. It’s about being there and giving everything you have. Brittany needed him, and he would never walk away from her.

“This is what God decided,” he murmured as he cradled her in his arms. In that moment, he knew he would see this through, no matter what.

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