Today, just about everyone has a camera of some type, whether it’s on their smartphone, computer, or anything in between. Since everyone has the chance to snap a shot whenever they see something interesting, it’s no wonder why the biggest moments in history have been caught on film. Over the years, there have been countless iconic photos that have taken the world by storm and they tell us a story of how life is today and how it was in the past.
This gallery contains many iconic photos that span the last 100+ years. They are quite fascinating. Many of them show the creation of some of the greatest inventions, including the first plane, the X-ray machine, and the creation of the camera itself. There are also images of some of the most noteworthy news events, including the explosion of the Hindenburg, the soldiers raising the flag at Iwo Jima, and the departure of the last soldier out of Afghanistan. Finally, you’ll see many photos of men and women in hard times during the Great Depression, the days of child labor, and more. Some of the photos here are heartbreaking, while others are truly inspiring.
To determine the most iconic photos ever taken, 24/7 Tempo scoured the internet and reviewed historical sources, including History.com, Life.com, and Time Magazine, among others. We also checked on Reddit to determine the most inspiring moments in many people’s lives. There are likely more iconic photos that you may remember, but we think these will bring back some serious memories. If you want to see photos about other moments in time, check out this gallery of what life was like in the 1950s .
The First Flight
This amazingly iconic photo shows the very first flight, courtesy of the Wright brothers. The plane is called the Wright Flier. On this first occasion, the plane flew for 12 seconds, and it traveled 120 feet. One of the brothers lay prone on the plane to control it while the other brother ran alongside to balance the machine. We have them to thank for the cross-continent flights that we enjoy today.
The Horrors of Slavery
In this very sad image, we see a slave by the name of Peter who was whipped while working in Mississippi. The photo was taken in Louisiana. Peter was whipped by his overseer by the name of Artayou Carrier. Peter was in bed for two months as he healed from these wounds. The overseer was fired soon after. This is an image that shows the true horrors of early America.
Raising a Flag on Iwo Jima
This may be one of the most iconic photos ever taken. The image shows soldiers Ira Hayes, Harold Schultz, Michael Stank, Franklin Sousley, Harold Keller, and Harlon Black as they raised the flag once they captured the mountaintop of Mt. Suribachi. The picture shows the bravery of our armed forces and the fact that America will always fight against the odds.
Raising a Flag on Reichstag
In this iconic photo, soldiers in the Soviet Union raise a flag two days after Adolf Hitler commits suicide and ends Germany’s attacks. Essentially, raising the flag symbolisms the Red Army’s victory over the Nazis. This flag was made out of three red tablecloths. This is one of the most recognizable photos of World War II.
The Oldest Existing Camera Photo
This image is one of the most iconic photos because this is widely considered to be the oldest surviving picture. It’s called the “View from the Window at Le Gras.” The photo was taken by inventor Nicéphore Niépce. Though it’s hard to see, the picture is of buildings and the countryside that surrounds the Le Gras estate.
A Picture of Mars
This is the first color picture of the surface of the planet Mars. Though it may look recent, this picture was taken back in 1976. The picture was taken by NASA’s Viking Lander I. Scientists believe that the surface material is limonite. The ground is red and the the sky also has a reddish cast. It’s amazing to see what a place so far away looks like with our own eyes.
Atomic Bomb Mushroom Cloud Over Nagasaki
This is an iconic and frightening photo of the blast that resulted from the atomic bombing that occurred in Japan on August 9, 1945. This bomb created a cloud of smoke that rose up more than 60,000 feet into the air. The bomb was dropped by an American plane, a U.S. B-29 Superfortress. This is a scary photo that shows how new technology can be a blessing but also a curse.
Marilyn Monroe’s Famous Pose
During a scene in her film “The Seven Year Itch,” Marilyn Monroe stops over a grate in the street, and the air shooting out blows up her dress. While she was filming that scene, reporters stopped by to take photographs, so Marylin posed for them as well and this picture was born. Marilyn Monroe was a beloved actress in the 1950s.
Lunchtime Atop a Skyscraper
In what is easily one of the most iconic photos ever, a group of construction workers have lunch. They all sit on a skinny beam that’s attached to the RCA building in Rockefeller Center. That is not an optical illusion. These men are sitting 800 feet above the ground while the people on the street go about their lives safely on their two feet.
Last Solider Leaves Afghanistan
In this night image, we see Major General Chris Donahue walk through the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan to board a C-17 cargo plane. His departure marks the very last soldier to depart Afghanistan after a very complex U.S. mission to evacuate American citizens. It shows how Americans will go near and far to help the people of the world.
Migrant Mother
In this famous portrait, migrant mother Florence Thompson sits dismayed with her children by her side. This photo was taken during the Great Depression, when everyone was scraping by and doing anything they could just to eat every day. Florence worked as a pea picker in the fields. Her kids are Katherine and Tom.
A Famous Kiss at the End of the War
This photo was taken in New York City on the day that Japan officially surrounded and signified the end of World War II. People were so excited that they were throwing anything they had in their hands up into the air in celebration and people kissed and hugged. Then sailor took a woman in his arms and gave her a big kiss. This is one of the images that most people think of when the topic of iconic images comes up.
The Hindenburg Disaster 
The Hindenburg was the largest airship ever constructed. It was a German commercial passenger ship and a modern marvel. The disaster here occurred in Manchester Township, New Jersey. The Hindenburg exploded with 97 people aboard, and 35 of them were killed . The reason for the explosion is attributed to a hydrogen leak. It was a sad day, and this image came from it.
A Monk Makes the Ultimate Sacrifice
In this striking and horrifying photo, a monk sets himself on fire in protest. It was 1963 when Buddhist monk Thich Quang Duc lit himself on fire to protest the South Vietnam regime’s prosecution of Buddhists. This act was performed in the downtown streets of Saigon. Nine days earlier, nine Buddhist monks had been killed. This protest was his plea to end the suffering of his people.
The First X-Ray
This is the first ever X-ray taken by Wilhelm Röntgen, a German physicist and mechanical engineer. He invented the X-ray machine. He used it to take a picture of the left hand of his wife Anna. This was a momentous discovery that changed medicine as we know it. Later on, Röntgen would win the Nobel Prize in Physics.
The Execution of Nguyen Van Lem
In addition to being one of the most iconic photos in history, this image is considered by many to be one that changed the direction of the Vietnam War. This picture shows a police chief in South Vietnam raising a gun to the head of a Viet Song prisoner and then pulling the trigger. This image showed the brutality of the war, and it convinced many Americans to protest. it was likely the beginning of the end of our involvement there.
Elvis Meets President Nixon
In this photo, President Richard Nixon meets Elvis Presley. At this time, Presley was one of the most famous recording artists. It was Elvis’ request to meet the President and they took this image in the Oval Office of the White House. The image was taken on December 21, 1970. This was before it was typical for celebrities to take photos with the President.
Elizabeth Eckford Enters High School
This is another photo that showcases what it was like for minorities for a long time in our country. In this image, black student Elizabeth Eckford is jeered and insulted by white student Hazel Bryan as Eckford attempts to enter Little Rock Central High School. This was a tense time in America but Eckford wouldn’t let it bother her. She went forward and entered the school with faith and confidence.
The Breaker Boys
This is one of the most iconic photos because it shows how different life used to be for young children. This picture shows us the Breaker Boys. They are child workers who worked in a coal mine in South Pittston, Pennsylvania. This photo was taken in 1910. Kids today have no idea what they could have experienced if they had been born 100 years earlier.
The Oldest Photo of a Person
While there are older photos in existence, this is the oldest photo that has a living person in it. The person is hard to see but they’re in the bottom left. This image was taken in Paris. The picture was supposed to be of cars driving down the street. However, because it was an early camera and it took longer, the traffic was long gone by the time the photo was developed.
Walking on the Moon
This incredible photo shows astronaut Buzz Aldrin standing on the moon next to the Eagle, a lunar module. The picture was taken by fellow astronaut Neil Armstrong using a lunar surface camera. What’s really cool about this picture is that if you zoom in and look closely at the reflection in his helmet, you can see the lunar lander and Neil Armstrong taking the picture . The American Flag they posted is also in the reflection.
A Beardless President Abraham Lincoln
This is one of the most iconic photos for many reasons. Not only was it of one of our greatest presidents, but it’s also one of the very few pictures where he doesn’t have his famous beard. This image was taken right before his famous Cooper Union address. Lincoln was a great president during that century. Want to learn more about what life was like back then? Check out this gallery of 15 photos that show what life was like in the 1800s .
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