Photo: Stock Photos from THOMAS MORRIS/Shutterstock

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care…but not if you live in the UK. British children traditionally hang their stockings at the foot of their bed, unlike most Americans who observe the holiday. In America, fun family Christmas traditions such as picking the perfect tree at a tree farm, stringing popcorn and candy canes as decoration, hanging bountiful Christmas lights all around, and placing a wreath on your front door are typical. Kids can run downstairs Christmas morning to find the carefully baked Christmas cookies magically gone, reveal the last small gift in their advent calendar, and dig into Santa Claus' presents for them.

While American Christmas holds increasingly commercial sway over much of the world, fascinating and ancient holiday traditions can be found wherever the faithful or the secular countdown to yuletide. Some differences are temporal: the Russian Orthodox celebrate Jesus' birth almost two weeks after Catholics, as they follow the Julian rather than Gregorian calendar. Other divergences are in the symbols associated with the season. In Sweden, the Yule Goat reins, while Americans picture elves. These cultural differences are only part of the history of Christmas, a holiday which has evolved with the two millennium history of Christianity.

Historians generally agree that Christmas day as a December holiday derives its date more from the need to appropriate a pagan holiday in newly Christian Rome. However, this celebration of baby Jesus' birth became an important holiday—and a favorite of many who do not identify as religious. The magic of the holiday season is celebrated in interesting ways all over the world.

Read on to discover diverse Christmas traditions practiced around the world.

The Gävle Goat in Sweden

Photo: Stock Photos from TOMMY ALVEN/Shutterstock

Every year since 1966, the locals of Gävle, Sweden have constructed a giant straw Yule Goat in the Castle Square of the city at the beginning of Advent. The Yule Goat is an ancient Scandinavian symbol with pagan roots; however, the giant version was the brainchild of a creative advertising professional. From the first iteration, arson has been a bit of a problem; most of the goats have been burnt to the ground despite this being illegal.

Sharing Oplatek in Poland

Photo: Stock Photos from JOANNA DOROTA/Shutterstock

On Christmas Eve, Polish families gather to share bits of oplatek—a thin, tasteless flour wafer stamped with Christmas imagery. Traditionally, a husband expresses his wishes and hopes to his wife, after which she takes and eats a small piece of the wafer. Then she reciprocates the sentiments. All other family members then expresses good wishes as they take pieces of the wafer.

Christmas Crackers in the UK

Photo: Stock Photos from MONKEY BUSINESS IMAGES/Shutterstock

The holiday toys known as “crackers” dates back to the mid-19th century when a London businessman parceled candies and sweet notes in crinkly paper. Modern Christmas crackers are very popular in the UK, and feature a tube containing a toy, small gift, paper crown, or candy. Two party guests grab the cracker by its ends and pull, with the victor being the one with the larger piece. The paper crowns are often worn through dinner, and many believe the tradition dates back to the Roman December holiday of Saturnalia.

Lantern Festivals in the Philippines

The Barangay Telabastagan entry in 2012 which won third place. (Photo: Ramon FVelasquez via Wikimedia Commons [CC BY-SA 3.0])

Mischievous Nisse in Denmark

Photo: Stock Photos from SMSKA/Shutterstock

The Danish nisse is a Scandinavian folk-creature known for its short stature, white beard, and pointy cap. Although they go by different names in other Nordic languages, these mischievous spirits can be sweet guardians of the homes they inhabit. These little men deliver presents to children during the Christmas season—their reward is porridge with butter.

Christmas Markets in Germany

Photo: Stock Photos from ROMRODPHOTO/Shutterstock

Advent is an exciting time in Germany with the opening of historic Christmas Markets. The Striezelmarkt in Dresden began in 1434, and is the oldest Christmas Market. However, modern iterations now appear around the world. At the markets, you will find mulled wines, Christmas snacks, and many Christmas gifts to purchase. You will also find popular tokens of affection such as lebkuchenherzen—gingerbread heart ornaments.

Las Posadas in Mexico

Photo: Stock Photos from MARCOS CASTILLO/Shutterstock

Between December 16 and Christmas Eve, Mexicans celebrate nine days known as posadas. These days of prayer, procession, piñatas, and feasting honor Mary and Joseph’s travels from Nazareth to Bethlehem. The festivities culminate with Christmas Eve mass and a large feast. Throughout the Christmas season, people also enact plays containing struggles between angels and devils called pastorelas. These traditions are also celebrated by other Latin American Christians and some American Latinx populations.

Decorated Boats in Greece

Photo: Stock Photos from PIT STOCK/Shutterstock

Christmas trees did not become popular in Greece until after World War II. However, the seafaring nation had ample boats to decorate during the Christmas season. Festooned with lights, the boats are a reminder of the importance of the seas in Greek life. This love of water is also important during Epiphany on January 6, known as Theophany. The faithful dive into the water to retrieve a cross thrown by a priest, which is said to bring blessings.

Surfing Father Christmas in Australia

Photo: Stock Photos from SIRTRAVELALOT/Shutterstock

For Australians, Christmas is in the summer months. Many Aussies take to the beach or to the backyard for barbecues. Father Christmas brings presents to children—sometimes surfing sans reindeer. Australians also love a good caroling session, with many popular community songs taking place in cities.

Sinterklaas Fills Shoes in the Netherlands

Photo: Stock Photos from OLENAPALAGUTA/Shutterstock

Sinterklaas, or Saint Nicholas, arrives on the eve of December 6 (his saint day) to bring presents to all the family. However, in the weeks leading up to this magical day, children leave their shoes out for Sinterklaas to fill with kruidnoten cookies, chocolate letters, and other treats. In return, the children leave out carrots for Sinterklaas' white horses. Much of the modern figure of Santa Clause was drawn from the traditions of Sinterklaas, who also brings presents to children in Belgium and parts of the former Dutch empire.

Orthodox Processions in Ethiopia

Photo: Stock Photos from ALEXANDROS MICHAILIDIS/Shutterstock

The Ethiopian Orthodox Church celebrates the birth of Jesus on January 7, a day known as Ganna. Proceeded by a fast, the faithful then rise for an early morning mass on Ganna where worshippers are dressed in white and take part in processions and special services through the church. There is also a game called ganna, which is traditionally played on the holiday by men and somewhat resembles field hockey.

Photo: Stock Photos from GTS/Shutterstock

This article has been edited and updated.

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Photo: Peter Allan

Old houses hold many secrets which only emerge with chance and time. A Scottish plumber named Peter Allan was working on the heating pipes of just such a house when he encountered something strange: an antique bottle secreted beneath the floorboards. Opened by Eilidh Stimpson—the resident of the house—and her two children, the bottle was revealed to contain a fascinating note written in 1887. Long hidden under the floor, this message in a bottle is one of the oldest known to have been discovered.

Allan told BBC Scotland, “The room is 10ft by 15ft and I have cut exactly around the bottle without knowing it was there. I can't quite believe it. I was moving a radiator and cut a random hole to find pipework and there it was, I don't know what happened. I took it to the woman downstairs and said, ‘Look what I've found under your floor.'” Stimpson, who owns the Edinburgh house with her husband and children, decided to wait until the young ones came home from school to investigate the bottle. The children were delighted at the surprise, but, as the mother explains, “When I picked them up, I told them I had something really exciting to tell them and they said, ‘Is it that we are having hot dogs for tea?'”

The family tried to remove the curled up paper within the bottle with tweezers, but they found this tactic began to damage the fragile sheet. They eventually decided to break the bottle with a hammer, although they were sure to keep the pieces. “We were all crowding around and pointing torches at it and trying to read it, it was so exciting,” said Stimpson. The note turned out to be written by two workmen who built the floor. In 1887, the room had probably been meant for a maid.

The note reads: “James Ritchie and John Grieve laid this floor, but they did not drink the whisky. October 6th 1887. Who ever finds this bottle may think our dust is blowing along the road.” The 135-year-old note has since drawn historical inquiry. In the 1881 census, the men were shown to live just a few miles away from the house with the bottle, in the Newington area of Edinburgh. Stimpson plans to preserve the note in an acid-free pocket so it can be enjoyed for years to come. The family plans to frame the note with a piece of the glass bottle as a reminder of this fascinating encounter with the history of their home.

A Scottish family found a message in a bottle from 1887 under their floorboards, one of the oldest such messages discovered.

Photo: Eilidh Stimpson

h/t: [BBC, IFL Science]

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READ: Message in a Bottle From 1887 Discovered Under Floorboards in Scotland

Screenshots: YouTube

Could you imagine going your whole life without properly seeing your own reflection? Or wearing a corset every day, even while working outside in the summer? It’s sometimes hard to imagine that this was the reality for many people centuries ago. In a series titled Getting Dressed in… by Crows Eye Productions, the dressing processes of people from different eras are revealed. The time spans from 7th century Britain to Renaissance Florence to evening wear of the 1920s.

Most videos in the series are around three to four minutes long and focus on those who were of a higher social status. Some are about historical figures like Mary Shelley, Jane Austen, and Queen Victoria, while others share a glimpse of what maids and working women wore. Although predominantly revolving around women’s clothing, the series also touches on topics such as the garments of British soldiers and how Prince Albert dressed. With so many subjects covered in the Getting Dressed in…, there are bound to be a few videos that each viewer will find interesting.

Each video contains information not only about the clothing pieces needed to complete the chosen outfit but also about historical information explaining the reasoning behind these items of clothing. For example, Getting Dressed in the 1920s – Eveningwear, details that due to shorter hemlines, shoes were now important components of an outfit. Due to shoes actually being visible, they were often colorful and decorative. This era also brought dancing, parties, and alcohol to the forefront, so shoes needed to be flatter and more practical. Dresses of this time had the iconic 1920s low waist, androgynous forms, and many were adorned with intricate, geometric shapes. As the video explains, this was due to major discoveries of Egyptian tombs and the Art Deco movement.

Getting Dressed in… is a very popular series for the female-lead production company, founded by Nicole Loven. The Crows Eye Productions team details they created the series to “bring alive history through beautifully-crafted videos using historically accurate period costume and locations,” and viewers seem to agree.

One fan comments, “This was so beautifully filmed. (Not that I'm surprised about that). I love that you don't just list the items worn but actually explain about the fabrics and the social status that impacted the clothing. And obviously that you also talk about the [jewelry], the shoes, the undergarments. The attention to detail is so spot on in all of these videos.” Many fans of the channel not only thank the filmmakers for creating the videos, but also ask them to cover other topics in the future, such as Ancient Egypt and Vikings.

There’s no doubt these videos are interesting to watch, but they are also very informative. As one fan states, “Fashion is a direct result of what is happening around you. Learning about historical fashion gives you insight into what is happening in that time period.”

Watch all of Getting Dressed in… in chronological order on this YouTube playlist, and keep up with all of Crows Eye Productions videos here.

A series titled Getting Dressed in… reveals the dressing processes of people that lived in different eras, like 7th century Britain, Renaissance Florence, and the 1920s.

Created by Crows Eye Productions, the series aims to “bring alive history through beautifully-crafted videos using historically accurate period costume and locations.”

Viewers love the detail that goes into each video, as well as the additional historical context that is included to describe why certain choices are made, such as cloth type and positioning.

While many videos focus on those who were of a higher social status, some videos detail the clothing styles of maids and working women.

All videos are available to watch in chronological order on YouTube.

Crows Eye Productions: YouTube | Website
h/t: [Open Culture]

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Photo: Parabon NanoLabs

The history of New England is steeped in folklore and superstition. While many people are familiar with the Salem witch trials of the late 17th century, which led to mass hysteria and nearly 20 people being hanged, another lesser-known panic swept the area 100 years later. The Great New England Vampire Panic is tied to the tuberculosis epidemic of the 1800s when victims were often labeled as vampires by locals looking for answers at a time when the disease was misunderstood.

This belief led the bodies of these victims to be exhumed so they could not escape their graves and continue to spread tuberculosis to others. Often, their bones would be rearranged in their coffins, with their femur bones crossed over their chest. Such was the case with the remains of John Barber, a 55-year-old farmer who died of tuberculosis.

These remains were discovered in 1990 by kids playing in Griswold, Connecticut. Over the years they have been studied extensively, and now Parabon NanoLabs and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory have worked together to reveal what this “vampire,” looked like.

After extensive DNA analysis that began in 2019, the labs have just published their findings. According to their research, Barber had fair skin, brown or hazel eyes, and brown or black hair. He was buried near his first cousin, Nathan Barber, whose DNA was also analyzed in the study. Nathan's remains hadn't been touched, showing that he hadn't been considered a vampire. Unfortunately, John hadn't had the same good fortune.

Photo: fergregory/Depositphotos (Not a photo of the actual event.)

“Communities hit with epidemics turned to folklore for explanations,” Parabon said in a statement. “They often blamed vampirism for the change in appearance, erratic behavior, and deaths of their friends and family who actually suffered from conditions such as porphyria, pellagra, rabies, and tuberculosis.”

It's likely that John had been one of the first in his family to contract the deadly disease. When it then spread to the rest of the family, he was blamed as the root cause.

“Of course, J.B. was not a vampire, but he was believed to be undead in his grave, capable of leaving the housing of his grave, and [feeding] on living family members spreading consumption/tuberculosis,” said Nicholas Bellantoni, the archaeologist who excavated Barber's remains in 1990. “This was a public health issue. Consumption was an epidemic in 19th-century New England. They knew nothing about germ theory and didn't understand how the disease was spread. By going back into his grave and rearranging his skeletal remains they hoped to stop the disease from killing [his] family. Hence, this is not what we think of as ‘vampirism' but done out of fear and love.”

The labs' ability to learn so much about Barber's appearance is a leap forward in forensic technology. Extracting DNA from bones that have deteriorated and are brittle is quite challenging. By successfully drawing DNA from these historic bones, these scientists have proved that though difficult, extraction is still possible.

h/t: [Smithsonian]

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READ: Scientists Use DNA To Reconstruct Face of 19th-Century Man Accused of Being a Vampire

Throughout history, cultures across the globe have adopted creative ways to deal with death. In ancient China, they crafted funerary sculptures to fill complex mausoleums. During the Dutch Golden Age, artists touched on mortality in their memento mori still life paintings. And, in modern Mexico, people celebrate Día de los Muertos, a colorful holiday dedicated to the dearly departed.

Though this festival has evolved over centuries, it remains one of Mexico's most historically and culturally important events. Here, we explore the vibrant history and distinctive traditions of the Day of the Dead in order to understand its enduring significance.

What is Día de los Muertos?

Photo: Stock Photos from Jose de Jesus Churion Del/Shutterstock)

Día de los Muertos (also known as Día de Muertos) is a Mexican holiday. The celebration occurs annually on October 31, November 1, and November 2, and is held to honor those who have died.

Specifically, the term Día de los Muertos traditionally refers to November 2, when deceased adults are commemorated. November 1—a day known as Día de los Inocentes (“Day of the Innocents”) or Día de los Angelitos (“Day of the Little Angels”)—is reserved for infants and children who have passed away, while October 31 is a day of preparation. However, “Día de los Muertos” is also commonly used to denote the entire three-day fete.

Though the specific traditions and rituals involved with the Day of the Dead vary from region to region, the celebration generally revolves around the creation of an altar, which participants fill with stylized skeletons, food, and other offerings. These altars are dedicated to deceased loved ones and are created to aid them in the afterlife—a concept that has always been central to the holiday.

History of the Holiday

Pre-Columbian Roots

Photo: Stock Photos from Patryk Kosmider/Shutterstock

Like many modern holidays, The Day of the Dead has been shaped over the course of hundreds of years. Rites and rituals reminiscent of The Day of the Dead can be traced back to the Post-Classic period (1300 to 1521) in Pre-Columbian Mexico. During this time, the Aztec Empire flourished, bringing with it a treasure trove of traditions.

Like many Mesoamerican peoples, the Aztecs viewed grief as disrespectful to the dead. Rather than mourn the loss of loved ones, they opted to celebrate their spirits, culminating in the earliest edition of the Day of the Dead.

During this month-long festival, the Aztecs welcomed visits from beyond the grave and worshipped Mictēcacihuātl, the goddess of the underworld. Fittingly, this mythological figure has historically been known as “The Lady of the Dead.”

Mictēcacihuātl depicted on the Codex Borgia manuscript (Photo: Wiki Art, Public domain)

Originally, this celebration occurred in August, the ninth month of the Aztec calendar. However, Catholic influences brought by conquistadors in the 16th century prompted a shift to its present date.

Catholic Influences

Jakub Schikaneder, “All Souls' Day,” 1888 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Following Spanish colonization, the Day of the Dead was gradually influenced by another holiday honoring those who have died: Allhallowtide. Inspired by Pagan harvest festivities, this three-day fete comprises All Hallow's Eve, or Halloween, on October 31, All Saints' Day on November 1, and All Souls' Day on November 2.

This Catholic influence altered the religious aspect of the festival, though it remains rooted in Aztec mythology. For example, La Calavera Catrina—a secular female skeleton character that has come to symbolize Día de los Muertos—was inspired by Mictēcacihuātl.

José Guadalupe Posada, “Calavera de la Catrina (Skull of the Female Dandy),” 1913 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Ultimately, a blend of Catholic and Pre-Columbian influences is evident in the festival and is made most prominent by the ofrenda.

The Ofrenda

On the Day of the Dead, an ofrenda, or offering, is placed on a ritual altar. Central to the celebration, these altars are found in private homes, cemeteries, and churches and welcome the dead back to earth for the three-day event.

Though often compared to Halloween, the Day of the Dead does not revolve around mischief or morbidity. Instead, it focuses on celebrating the dead—an aesthetic illustrated by its festive decorations, spirited food and drink, respectful photographs, symbolic candles, and thoughtful trinkets.

Decorations

Photo: Stock Photos from Fer Gregory/Shutterstock

Decorations are intended to honor those who have passed in a jubilant way. To achieve this, they often dazzle with bright colors and incorporate playful skull motifs.

Papel Picado

Made out of Technicolor tissue paper, papel picado (or “chiseled paper“) is a flag-like folk art that evolved from a Pre-Columbian version made out of tree bark, which was used by the Aztecs to compile codices and adorn religious sites.

Flor de Muerto

Ofrendas also often feature freshly cut Flor de Muerto, bright orange and yellow marigolds intended to cheer up the dead with their brilliant colors and sweet scent.

Calaveras

Colorful skulls made of molded sugar paste (known as calaveras) are another staple of Day of the Dead decor. These small skulls are exquisitely decorated with motifs like flowers and spiderwebs and often feature names of the dead written in foil or icing on their foreheads. Some calaveras feature inedible adornments, like beads, sequins, and feathers, while others are made to be eaten.

Calaverita

Another celebratory event that transpires on Day of the Dead is the hunt for a calaverita. Children dress up in costumes and go door-to-door, asking strangers for a calaverita, which can come in the form of sweets or money. Though compared to Halloween, this tradition does not come with the element of mischief if no treat is exchanged.

Food and Drink

A Day of the Dead altar is typically covered in edible offerings enjoyed by the deceased person in their previous life. Additionally, most ofrendas will also include pan de muerto and spirited drinks.

Pan de Muerto

This “bread of the dead” is a type of sweet roll. It is adorned with bone-like decorations and is typically flavored with anise seeds and orange zest. Like other offerings of food, it is believed that the visiting spirits absorb and enjoy the essence of the Pan de Muerto, though it is the living who physically consume it.

Spirited Drinks

To help the spirits relax and enjoy the festivities, people will often offer alcoholic beverages like Tequila, Mezcal, and Pulque, a drink made out of fermented agave sap.

Pulque (Photo: Stock Photos from Natalia Gurieva/Shutterstock)

Photographs

Most altars feature photographs that identify who each ofrenda is dedicated to. Though often a family member, the subject can be a friend, celebrity, or even a beloved pet.

Candles

Candles are used to memorialize the dead and, symbolically, to help them find their way to the altar. Sometimes, they are placed in a cross formation, both to evoke the crucifix and to serve as a compass rose so they can orient themselves. Other times, however, their arrangement is ambiguous.

Trinkets, Toys, and Other Objects

Day of the Dead in Michoacan, Mexico (Photo: Stock Photos from DAVID PANIAGUA GUERRA/Shutterstock)

To add a personal touch to the altar, participants may add objects owned or previously enjoyed by the dead, including clothing, cigarettes, and toys. Statuettes of saints and other religious figures are popular, as are papier–mâché and clay figurines of skeletons.

Día de los Muertos Today

The Day of the Dead remains prevalent in contemporary culture—both in Mexico and beyond. In addition to making alters and attending city-wide festivals, people today often celebrate Día de los Muertos by making themselves up to look like Calaveras, a look that has also inspired countless Halloween costumes.

In 2008, the holiday was even added to UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, ensuring its enchanting legacy for years to come and drawing attention to its native roots. “This encounter between the living and the dead,” UNESCO explains, “affirms the role of the individual within society and contributes to reinforcing the political and social status of Mexico’s Indigenous communities.”

Disney Pixar's Coco

In 2017, Disney Pixar released an animated feature titled Coco that celebrates the Day of the Dead. Rolling Stone‘s Peter Travers called the film a “loving tribute to Mexican culture.” This vibrant feature-length film includes various traditions, drawing from different practices of the festival. Some recognizable cultural and artistic elements include calaveras, ofrendas, and alebrijes.

This animated film provided a platform for Día de Muertos to a global audience. This, alone, has had an immeasurable impact on the world. The film was positively received by critics and audiences alike. In fact, Coco became the highest-grossing film of all time in the Mexican market.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Day of the Dead?

The Day of the Dead is spread across three days—October 31, November 1, and November 2. Día de los Muertos (“Day of the Dead”) traditionally refers to November 2, when deceased adults are commemorated. November 1 is a day known as Día de los Inocentes (“Day of the Innocents”) or Día de los Angelitos (“Day of the Little Angels”), which is reserved for infants or children who have passed away, whereas October 31 is a day of preparation.

What is the Day of the Dead?

The Day of the Dead (or Día de Muertos in Spanish) is a Mexican holiday dedicated to those who have died.

How is the Day of the Dead celebrated?

The Day of the Dead does not revolve around mischief or morbidity. Instead, it focuses on celebrating the dead—an aesthetic illustrated by its festive decorations, spirited food and drink, respectful photographs, symbolic candles, and thoughtful trinkets.

This article has been edited and updated.

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Photo: Mizushimasea via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Sadly, due to its location in the Pacific Rim, Japan is prone to devastating earthquakes and tsunamis. While modern catastrophes usually come to mind, the local population's knowledge and expertise regarding these events date back centuries. One of the best examples of this is the so-called “tsunami stones”— slabs with inscriptions that warn residents about building their homes on low ground in case a big wave hits.

One of the most chilling stones is located in the village of Aneyoshi. The 10-foot-tall tablet reads: “High dwellings are the peace and harmony of our descendants. Remember the calamity of the great tsunamis. Do not build any homes below this point.” The residents have taken the advice to heart—their homes withstood the tragic 2011 earthquake and tsunami while some neighboring villages experienced terrible losses.

Other stones offer broader yet essential advice. “If an earthquake comes, beware of tsunamis,” pleads a slab reminding people to take to the higher ground immediately after an earthquake. Locals describe that slabs usually sprout after a deadly tsunami, such as the 1896 one that sadly claimed 22,000 lives. There are also tablets that indicate ground high enough to be safe from a fatal wave.

The slabs dot Japan's coastline, and some are over 600 years old. While some groups are aware of the threat, others have built communities closer to the ocean. “The tsunami stones are warnings across generations, telling descendants to avoid the same suffering of their ancestors. Some places heeded these lessons of the past, but many didn’t,” said Itoko Kitahara, a specialist in the history of natural disasters to The New York Times in 2011.

This is also a good reminder to appreciate the knowledge of people who have lived in a place for decades. “That tsunami stone was a way to warn descendants for the next 100 years that another tsunami will definitely come,” said Mr. Kimura, a local fisherman.

The resourcefulness and timeless words of caution carved in the stones have fascinated the world because they connect past and present generations in a mission to keep coastal populations safe. To quote a Reddit user, this is a great example of “Ancestors being bros.”

Japan is dotted with so-called “tsunami stones”— slabs with inscriptions that warn residents against building on low ground.

Photo: T.KISHIMOTO via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

The stones have been around for centuries.

Photo: yoshiyayo /Depositphotos

h/t: [Smithsonian Magazine]

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Why not indulge your inner chef and check out some dishes from the past? It's easier now than ever thanks to the Internet Archive, which has been digitizing vintage recipes from American history. From the late 1700s to the early 1900s, the ongoing collection now includes over 10,000 cookbooks. Best of all, they are free to view and download.

Perusing the vast library shines a light on the innumerable types of guides that exist. Some of the writing and topics of these resources underscore the differences between past audiences and those of the present. One such example that dates back to 1911 is titled The Cook Book of Left-Overs; a collection of recipes for the practical housekeeper. As the name suggests, it delves into useful ways of making use of extra food so as to not waste money for the employer. “In the average small family where there are no servants, or perhaps one servant, setting a table with the very least margin of ampleness means that there will inevitably follow some left-over food,” it says in the preface.

Other books have surprising relevance to today's market, such as the Vegetarian Cook Book, which was published in 1914. It might come as a surprise that this guide promotes the benefits of eating vegetables over meat, stating: “It is a recognized fact that the foundation of many of the ills of the human race is laid at the table through the eating of unwholesome food…as suggested by the name of the book, all meat recipes have been omitted, the superiority of other foods being recognized.” It then covers everything from bakery and breakfast dishes to puddings, and even how to correctly prepare fruits and nuts.

Check out the full collection of vintage recipes and cookbooks via the Internet Archive's Cookbooks and Home Economics section.

The Internet Archive has digitized over 10,000 vintage recipes and cookbooks in their Cookbooks and Home Economics section. They are free to view and download.

Internet Archive: Website 
h/t: [Open Culture]

All images via the Internet Archive.

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Stock Photos from Delpixel/Shutterstock

For centuries, the Statue of Liberty has stood as an illuminating symbol of independence. Situated in the New York Harbor, the colossal sculpture has become a fixture of the city's skyline, captivating native New Yorkers and arriving immigrants alike with its allegorical beauty.

If you want to learn more about Lady Liberty, you've landed in the right place. With these 11 enlightening facts about the Statue of Liberty, we hope to shed some light on the history of this iconic statue.

The Statue of Liberty's full name is “Liberty Enlightening the World.”

“The great Bartholdi statue, liberty enlightening the world: the gift of France to the American people,” 1885 (Photo: Public domain via Wikimedia Commons)

While most people know the monument as the Statue of Liberty, this title is actually nothing more than a mainstream nickname. Officially, the sculpture was christened Liberty Enlightening the World (“La Liberté éclairant le monde”), a poetic name picked out by the French.

While these monikers may vary, both designate the figure as a depiction of “Liberty”—a translation of the Latin Libertas, a Roman goddess who embodied the idea of freedom.

France gave it to America in 1886.

Liberty Statue, work in progress, 1884 (Photo: Public domain via Wikimedia Commons)

Wondering why the origin of the sculpture's name can be found in France? The answer is simple: Lady Liberty is a French export!

In 1875, French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and his team—including Gustave Eiffel, the designer of the world-famous Eiffel Tower—began constructing the copper statue as a gift to America. Specifically, it was intended as a gesture of friendship following the American Civil War.

While the sculpture was still in progress, pieces were exhibited at the World's Fair in Paris—and, even today, mementos of the monument can be found in the City of Light.

The statue’s face may be modeled after the sculptor’s mother.

Photo: Stock Photos from Belikova Oksana/Shutterstock

The Statue of Liberty was inspired by a few women, including the Roman goddess Libertas and an Arab woman from Bartholdi’s earlier proposal for an Egyptian statue. The face of the statue came from inspiration a little closer to home, the sculptor’s mother Charlotte.

It represents Libertas, the Roman goddess of freedom.

Vintage ornament of Libertas the Roman goddess on a historic building (Photo: Stock Photos from Predrag Jankovic/Shutterstock)

Libertas stood for freedom and independence both for individuals and in society. Libertas was often depicted as a robed woman and so was used by Bartholdi as inspiration for the Statue of Liberty.

Small-scale copies are scattered around Paris.

Photo: Stock Photos from EQRoy/Shutterstock

Throughout Paris, several replicas pay homage to Lady Liberty's French roots.

In the Musée d'Orsay, there is a 9.4-foot-tall copy cast by Bartholdi himself. This sculpture used to be in the Luxembourg Gardens. Today, a newer copy can be found in its original place.

Another bronze replica of the same height stands outside the Musée des Arts et Métiers, a museum fittingly dedicated to industrial design. Inside the museum, visitors will also find the original plaster maquette crafted by Bartholdi.  

A final copy can be found on the Île aux Cygnes, a man-made island in the Seine River. This sculpture was actually a gift from America as a way to say “thank you” for Liberty Enlightening the World.

The statue was brought to New York in pieces.

Statue of Liberty Arm, 1876, Philadelphia Centennial Exposition (Photo: Public domain via Wikimedia Commons)

Given the substantial size of the New York-based sculpture, the French decided to ship it as a series of 350 parts. In 1884, once it reached Bedloe Island—known today as Liberty Island—it was pieced together and placed on a pedestal preliminarily built by the Americans.

Filmmakers love wrecking the Statue of Liberty.

Photo: Stock Photos from OFC Pictures/Shutterstock

If you’re a film buff, you might have seen the destruction of the Statue of Liberty a few times. This might be the case because the statue is such an iconic symbol that seeing it destroyed leaves a lasting impression. You can find Lady Liberty in disrepair in Independence Day, The Day After Tomorrow, and Planet of the Apes.

It functioned as a lighthouse for 16 years.

The original torch (Photo: Stock Photos from Felix Lipov/Shutterstock)

Two years after it made its grand debut in New York Harbor, Lady Liberty adopted an illuminating role. For 16 years, it doubled as a lighthouse, with the figure's symbolic lamp serving as the beacon.

Unfortunately, this light source proved too dim for ships to see, and the statue stopped operating as a lighthouse under the order of President Theodore Roosevelt.

It is struck by lightning about 600 times a year.

Photo: Stock Photos from Skreidzeleu/Shutterstock

It is estimated that the Statue of Liberty is struck by lightning 600 times a year, though this number is an average and depends on weather conditions.

The statue is filled with symbolism.

Photo: Stock Photos from Chris Parypa Photography/Shutterstock

Still, even without a specific function, the Statue of Liberty continued to play an important role. Specifically, since its onset, it has been celebrated for its complex and comprehensive symbolism.

From her head (her crown consists of seven rays, referencing the seven continents and seas) to her toes (broken shackles lay around her feet), Lady Liberty is cloaked in metaphors. Leading the masses from oppression, in one hand she holds a torch representing enlightenment; in the other, a tablet of the law is inscribed with “JULY IV MDCCLXXVI,” the date of American independence.

Even her positioning is symbolic, as she faces South-East to welcome ships—namely, those carrying immigrants to the United States—into the harbor.

Its famous inscription was written to raise funds for its construction.

Photo: Sean O'Neill via Flickr (CC BY-ND 2.0)

In addition to the symbolism of its strategic orientation, the statue is inherently associated with immigration because of The New Colossus, a poem inscribed on a plaque attached to its pedestal.

Written by American poet Emma Lazarus, this sonnet—and, specifically, the lines: “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free”—has come to represent what the statue stands for.

Lazarus penned this poem, in which she nicknamed the statue the Mother of Exiles, in order to raise money for the construction of the 89-foot stone pedestal, which the Americans were responsible for.

It sits atop a fort meant to protect New York City

Photo: izanbar/Depositphotos

The star-shaped structure that the statue sits on is iconic, but it wasn't built specifically for Lady Liberty. The pedestal sits on the remains of Fort Wood, which was built between 1808 and 1811. The fort was designed to protect the city from British invasion and is named Fort Wood after an Army engineer who died during the War of 1812. The remains of the fort were actually used as an army post until 1937, but is now the property of the National Park Service.

It cost only $500,000.

Photo: Stock Photos from Artem Avetisyan/Shutterstock

Though this amount may seem surprisingly low, the $500,000 would amount to over $10 million today.

The statue wears a size 879 shoe.

Lowe, Jet, Detail of right foot, December 1985 (Photo: Public domain via Wikimedia Commons)

Given the immense size of this pedestal, it is no surprise that Lady Liberty weighs a whopping 225 tons—and has a height to match.

From the bottom of the base to the tip of the torch, the Statue of Liberty measures 305 feet and 1 inch tall. To climb to the crown, visitors must ascend 354 stairs, or 20 stories, with Lady Liberty's size 879 shoe serving roughly as a halfway point.

The torch has been closed since 1916.

Front page of July 31, 1916 “The Boston Globe” (Photo: The Boston Globe via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

While it's still possible to visit the crown, Lady Liberty's torch has been closed for more than a century. The public has not had access since the Black Tom explosion, an act of sabotage by agents of the German Empire. The explosions took place on July 30, 1916, killing four people and destroying military equipment that had a value of $20 million ($500 million in 2022). The incident took place prior to America's entry into World War I and caused structural damage to the Statue of Liberty's torch.

In the 1980s, Lady Liberty received a much-needed makeover.

Photo: Stock Photos from PannaPhoto/Shutterstock

To mark its centennial, the Statue of Liberty was renovated from 1984-1986. This restoration project was a team effort made possible by scientists, engineers, government organizations, and other professionals.

It was a huge undertaking, which involved filling holes in the copper, replacing rusted iron pieces with stainless steel substitutes, and adding a dazzling gold-leaf touch to the torch.

The spikes on the crown symbolize liberty as a universal concept.

Photo: Stock Photos from JoanneJean/Shutterstock

The spikes on the Statue of Liberty’s crown represent the Seven Seas and seven continents, meaning that though this is an American monument, the freedom it stands for is a universal concept.

There are 25 windows in the crown.

View from the crown of the Statue of Liberty (Photo: Stock Photos from CrookshanksPhotography/Shutterstock)

Though they are difficult to see from the ground, the crown of the statue includes 25 windows that allow for an unparalleled view of New York and New Jersey.

There are 393 steps taking visitors up to the crown.

Looking down from inside the Statue of Liberty’s Crown (Photo: Stock Photos from PatSimmons/Shutterstock)

To look through the windows in the crown, visitors will have to climb 393 steps. This distance is roughly the vertical distance of 27 levels in a normal building.

Its green color is here to stay.

Photo: Stock Photos from Life In Pixels/Shutterstock

While the restoration team thoroughly cleaned the statue's copper surface, its iconic green color remained. Known as a patina, this coating is a result of the copper's oxidation. So, while the sculpture was originally the reddish-brown color of a penny, it has gradually turned a shade of jade green—and will remain that color for years to come.

Laboulaye hoped it would inspire France as well.

Photo: Stock Photos from Emily Neville Fisher/Shutterstock

Though it was a gift to the United States, Edouard de Laboulaye who gave the idea for the statue hoped the monument to freedom would push the French to fight for freedom under Napolean III.

Every year, 4.5 million people visit the statue.

Photo: Stock Photos from Marcio Jose Bastos Silva/Shutterstock

Over 100 years later, the Statue of Liberty continues to climb in popularity. Every year, 4.5 million people flock by ferry to see the sculpture—and, in May of 2019, to visit the new Statue of Liberty Museum.

Planned to be “the most monumental addition to Liberty Island since the Statue herself,” this institution will make a trip to Lady Liberty even more meaningful, promising guests “a new way to experience history.”

DON’T FORGET YOUR CITYPASS!

My Modern Met Tip: CityPASS is the best way to see New York City's top attractions—they’re bundled to save you 42% on admission. Included are The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Guggenheim Museum, Ferry Access to Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, 9/11 Memorial & Museum, and Empire State Building. And better yet, when you have the pass, you'll get priority entry into some of them. It’s a win-win!

This article has been edited and updated.

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READ: 22 Enlightening Facts About the Statue of Liberty

Ephemera, 1912 (Photo: Toronto Public Library, Public domain)

For centuries, people young and old have reveled in the fun and frightening festivities of Halloween. Occurring every year on the last day of October, the haunted holiday is a festive way to celebrate the fall season and an exciting way to embrace the occult, making it one of contemporary culture's most exciting annual events. But what is the true history of Halloween?

Though it's wildly popular today, Halloween is not merely a modern phenomenon. In fact, its roots date back thousands of years, spanning Celtic festivals, Catholic holidays, and even British burial rituals. Here, we explore its age-old origins, tracing its twisting evolution and contextualizing its spellbinding traditions.

Enchanting Etymology

Before jumping into the ancient holiday's history, it's helpful to start with the basics and learn the origins of its name. The word Halloween has evolved from Hallowe'en. In turn, this whimsical word is shorthand for “hallowed evening,” and refers specifically to All Hallows' Eve. All Hallows' Eve is a celebration that occurs on October 31, the day before All Saints' Day, an important Christian festival.

Along with All Souls' Day on November 2, All Hallows' Eve and All Saints' Day make up Allhallowtide, a triduum (three-day religious observance) dedicated to the dead. While Allhallowtide has been officially observed by the Church since the 8th century, Halloween's history dates back even further, beginning with an ancient festival.

What is the history of Halloween?

Samhain

While the holiday’s exact origin remains mysterious, historians have found a link to Samhain (pronounced “sah-win”), a pre-Christian, Celtic festival commemorating the end of summer. This annual autumnal fete was celebrated from sunset to sunset (October 31 to November 1) in Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man, and it can be traced back 2,000 years. It is sometimes mistakenly referred to as Celtic New Year.

According to Celtic folklore, the barrier between the living and the dead was at its most permeable during this harvest holiday. In addition to facilitating communication with the dearly departed, this phenomenon meant that spirits could return to earth. To welcome these visiting specters, Celts would make offerings of food and channel their spiritual energy to tell each other’s fortunes.

On top of its supernatural roots, historians believe Samhain also served a more functional purpose: to prepare for the coming cold. During this festival, people would collect resources for the winter and gather animals from the pastures.

By the first century CE, most Celtic territory was conquered by the Roman Empire. Inevitably, their rituals and festivals began to blend, culminating in new hybrid holidays. Samhain, for example, merged with the Roman festival of Pomona, a harvest-inspired feast believed to have taken place on November 1.

Allhallowtide

Jakub Schikaneder, “All Souls' Day,” 1888 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Though these harvest holidays would go on to last for centuries, they underwent dramatic changes in the 8th century. During this time, Pope Gregory III reinterpreted the Pagan festival as a series of Catholic holidays.

Specifically, he declared November 1 All Saints' Day, a holiday intended to honor “saints, martyrs, and confessors” in heaven, with October 31 serving as the preparatory All Hallows Eve. The triduum, however, was not complete until the 11th century, when November 2 became All Souls' Day—a holiday dedicated to all baptized Catholics who have died.

Traditions Still Practiced Today

Though the days of October 31 through November 2 were initially intended as somber days of reflection, Halloween today is primarily known for its playful traditions—like trick-or-treating, donning costumes, and carving pumpkins.

Trick-or-Treating

Photo: Stock Photos from Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock

To many, trick-or-treating is the custom most closely associated with Halloween. Today, it is practiced by children and consists of dressing up in costumes and going door-to-door collecting candy, trinkets, and other treats. Historians have linked this practice to both Samhain and medieval customs in the British Isles.

Ancient Celts believed that, during Samhain, ghosts would disguise themselves as beggars to trick people into giving them food, money, and other coveted commodities. According to this superstition, rejecting a costumed spirits' pleas resulted in a curse, prompting people to give away goodies during the day-long festival.

Similarly, trick-or-treating is also likely tied to “souling” a British practice that emerged in the Middle Ages and lasted until 1930. Inspired by Mummers' Plays—theatrical productions of folktales—souling was a ritual in which children and needy people dressed in costumes would knock on doors begging.

While, according to a traditional 19th-century song, these “soulers” wanted “an apple, a pear, a plum, or a cherry, any good thing to make us all merry,” they were most interested in soul cakes—small, round confections flavored by sweet spices and decorated with raisins or currants arranged in a cross design. Traditionally, these cakes would be blessed by priests and were distributed in honor of the dead.

Wearing Costumes

“It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!”

In both of these trick-or-treat tales, those traveling door-to-door would don costumes intended to fool others into giving them food. This mischievous custom remains an important part of Halloween, with two types of characters proving consistently popular: ghosts and witches. The use of scary costumes is also related to Samhain. It's believed that the Celts would wear scary costumes to trick the evil spirits roaming about so that they would be left alone.

Represented by a white sheet with cut-out eyeholes, the homemade ghost is arguably the most iconic Halloween costume. While seemingly innocuous, this interpretation is rooted in a particularly morbid ritual: the burial of dead bodies.

Wooden coffins were once a luxury in the United Kingdom. Thus, in lieu of expensive caskets, the poor would often simply wrap and bury their loved ones in winding sheets—white shrouds that would eventually inspire the clichéd costume.

In addition to a ghostly get-up, dressing up as a witch is also popular among trick-or-treaters. Characterized by a pointy black hat and a not-so-pretty face, our modern image of a witch is actually based on “the Crone,” a Pagan goddess who was commemorated during Samhain. Though initially known for her wisdom and role in rebirth, this “mistress of the underworld” is now associated with broomsticks and black cats.

In turn, these symbols are respectively derived from the makeshift walking sticks and popular pets that accused “witches” were known for during the Dark Ages.

Carving Jack-o'-Lanterns

Much like kids in costumes, glowing jack-o'-lanterns have become a Halloween night staple. While, today, pumpkins are carved to create these luminous decorations, they were originally crafted from turnips.

Using the root vegetable as a lantern dates back to medieval Britain. As people went door-to-door asking for soul cakes and other treats, they carried hollowed-out turnips with candles placed inside. In addition to simply lighting their way as they moved from house to house, these lamps were also steeped in symbolism, as their covered candles represented souls stuck in purgatory.

Historians connect this concept to the will-o'-the-wisp, a folkloric trope. According to Irish legend, the will-o'-the-wisp is a ghostly light. In one tale, this light is made up of embers from hell and is placed inside of a hollowed-out turnip by a character named Stingy Jack. Jack had previously trapped the Devil, only letting him out when the Devil promised that he wouldn't go to hell. Unfortunately, it was all a trick, and Jack, who was stuck in limbo, used this lamp to seek out a final resting place.

Inspired by this story, people in Ireland began carving jack-o'-lanterns to celebrate Halloween—a tradition that eventually made its way to North America, where pumpkins were more plentiful.

Lesser-Known Traditions of the Past

Bobbing for apples. (Photo: Howard Chandler Christy, Public domain)

While Halloween has plenty of activities that have endured over time, there are some rituals that aren't practiced anymore. These traditions often focused on the future and the living rather than the dead.

Bobbing for Apples

You might see bobbing for apples at a Halloween party as a throwback to the past, but it's likely not practiced with the same intention of yesteryear—telling the future or solidifying the present. In one version of the game, women would discretely mark the apples before they were placed in water. Their potential suitors would try to grab them with only their teeth and identify who was to one day be married.

Tossing Apple Peels

This is another apple-centric activity used to tell the future. In New England, a single young woman would try to peel an apple in one long, unbroken strip. She would then toss it over her shoulder and see what letter the peel formed on the floor. It was said to reveal the initial of her future husband.

Burning Hazelnuts

Fortune tellers in Scotland had a ritual for a woman to predict her love life. She was instructed to gather hazelnuts and call each one with the name of a suitor. She then tossed the nuts in a fire; the hazelnuts that burned to ashes (instead of popping or simply exploding) would reveal her future husband.

Lighting Bonfires

While bonfires are still part of the Halloween tradition in Ireland, you don't commonly see them tied into the holiday in other countries anymore. But traditionally, bonfires were lit as a way to guide souls looking for the afterlife. The use of bonfires has its origins in Samhain, when large fires would be lit as part of a cleansing ritual.

Eating Candy Apples

These sticky fruit treats were popular from the early 1900s until the 1970s. They were originally designed for the Christmas season by candy maker William Kolb from Newark, New Jersey, who was looking for a colorful way to brighten up his window display. He hadn't intended for them to be eaten, but customers started inquiring about the delicious-looking apples, so he started to sell them. Thanks to the association of apples with the fall harvest season, eating candy apples grew in popularity around Halloween.

Halloween Today Around the World

Photo: Stock Photos from Jacqui Martin/Shutterstock

Today, Halloween is celebrated around the world—though in many different forms. Folkloric festivities vary from location to location, and most cultures have each put their own twist on traditions. The special day remains beloved by spook-loving adults and treat-seeking children alike.

United States

In the United States, Halloween predominantly revolves around trick-or-treating in costume, watching scary films, and celebrating with friends at festive costume parties. It is a time for people of all ages to don silly (or sexy) costumes and celebrate the spooky season.

Mexico

In Mexico and parts of Latin America, Día de Muertos (or Day of the Dead) is celebrated over the course of a few days. It includes ritual altars, surrounded by offerings. It is an annual celebration of the dead, paying respect to those who have passed. The days are filled with colorful decorations, as well as holiday-specific foods and drinks.

Ireland

In Ireland, where the ancient roots of Samhain developed, children trick-or-treat in costumes and go on treasure hunts organized by adults. Bonfires are held as in the ancient days. There are also several traditional foods eaten on Halloween—Colcannon (a cabbage and potato dish) and barmbrack (a bun with sultanas and raisins). These tasty rolls carry hidden charms that predict the future. If you find a ring in your roll, expect happiness. A thimble, however, indicates you will never get married. You can find recipes for both Irish dishes on Irish Central.

Germany

In Germany, Halloween is quite new—Germans only began regularly celebrating in the 1990s as a result of commercialization and Americanization. Halloween also falls less than two weeks before St. Martin's Day, on which German children wander, singing for candy. As a result, Halloween is more a fun adult activity for parties and clubs than a children's holiday.

The Philippines

In the Philippines, there is a folk tradition called Pangangaluwa that is observed on October 31. Annually, children go door to door (often in costumes), singing for gifts. The children pretend to be lost souls in purgatory, going from house to house looking for gifts to take back to the world of the dead. It is more commonly practiced in rural areas, though there's been a recent resurgence in the town of Sariaya, where the tradition has been more Westernized with your typical trick-or-treating activities.

How will you be celebrating Halloween this year?

This article has been edited and updated.

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READ: The History of Halloween: Exploring the Age-Old Origins of the Enchanting Holiday

This still life, shot in 1837, is the world's earliest reliably dated daguerreotype.

While the term photography was coined in the early 19th century, Greek mathematicians had been making pinhole cameras since the 4th century BCE. The history of photography has always been filled with innovation, as imagery has continued to develop along with the technology photographers have on hand. With such a long history, it's no surprise that photography is full of important firsts, from the world's oldest photograph to the first photo uploaded to Instagram.

Most early photos used the daguerreotype process invented by Louis Daguerre, but technical inventions have created endless possibilities for photographers. Let's take a stroll down memory lane to learn about some of the famous first photographs that have changed how we view the world.

Famous First Photographs

First Photograph Ever

The first photograph ever taken (or earliest surviving photograph) in 1826 or 1827. Original plate on the left and colorized reoriented version on the right. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)

The world's first photograph—or at least the oldest surviving photo—was taken by Joseph Nicéphore Niépce in 1826 or 1827. Captured using a technique known as heliography, the shot was taken from an upstairs window at Niépce's estate in Burgundy. As heliography produces one-of-a-kind images, there are no duplicates of the piece, which is now part of the permanent collection at the University of Texas-Austin.

World's First Self-Portrait

First self-portrait photo taken by Robert Cornelius in 1839 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

We may be used to selfies now, but it's Robert Cornelius's 1839 image that lays claim to the first self-portrait. Taken in Philadelphia, Cornelius sat for a little over one minute before covering the lens.

Oldest Photo of New York

Oldest surviving photograph of New York, depicting Manhattan's Upper West side, 1848 (Photo: Public domain)

This 1848 daguerreotype of Manhattan's Upper West side is the oldest surviving photo of New York. In 2009, it was sold at Sotheby's for $62,500. Unfortunately, the first photo of New York, which shows the Unitarian Church, is now lost.

First Photograph of the Moon

First photo of the Moon, 1840 (Photo: John W. Draper, Public domain)

This daguerreotype by John W. Draper from 1840 is the first photo of the moon. Taken from his rooftop observatory at New York University, the image has since sustained extensive damage.

First Photo with People

Daguerreotype photograph made by Louis Daguerre in 1838, depicting Place de la République with two human figures in the left-hand corner. It is the world’s first photograph of Paris and the first photo containing humans. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Louis Daguerre—the inventor of the daguerreotype—shot what is not only the world's oldest photograph of Paris, but also the first photo with humans. The 10-minute-long exposure was taken in 1839 in Place de la République and it's just possible to make out two blurry figures in the left-hand corner.

First Photo of War

First photo of war, 1870 (Photo: Carol Popp de Szathmari, Public domain)

Carol Popp de Szathmari is the first known war photographer, capturing hundreds of images of the Crimean War. But it's this image from 1870 that is thought to be the first photograph of an actual battle. Showing a line of Prussian troops as they advance, the photographer shot the image as he stood with French defenders.

First Photo of a President

First photograph of U.S. President, featuring John Quincy Adams, 1843 (Photo: Philip Haas, Public domain)

John Quincy Adams holds the distinction of being the first U.S. president photographed, though he wasn't in office at the time. Captured at his home in Quincy, Massachusetts in 1843, fourteen years after he left office, the daguerreotype was shot by Philip Haas.

The first photograph of a sitting president was taken in 1841 but has now been lost. It depicted short-lived president William Henry Harrison before he passed away from pneumonia just 31 days after taking office.

Oldest Photograph of the Sun

First photograph of the sun, 1845 (Photo: Louis Fizeau & Leon Foucault, Public domain)

Just five years after the first photo of the moon, in 1845, French physicists Louis Fizeau and Leon Foucault took the first photograph of the sun. Even with just a 1/60th exposure, it's possible to see sunspots.

First Photo of a Tornado

First known photograph of a tornado, 1884 (Photo: A.A. Adams, Public domain)

It only seems fitting that the first known photograph of a tornado was taken in Kansas. On April 26, 1884, a tornado moved slowly across Anderson county, which allowed amateur photographer A.A. Adams to set up his box camera. A pioneering image in meteorology, Adams' image is a precursor to the storm chasers we still see today.

Oldest Aerial Photo

First aerial photograph, 1860 (Photo: James Wallace Black & Samuel Archer King, Public domain)

In the age of drones, aerial photography is often taken for granted, but this 1860 image actually pioneered the technique. Showing Boston from over 2,000 feet in the air, this aerial photograph was taken by James Wallace Black and Samuel Archer King.

Unfortunately, the first aerial image, which was taken by French photographer and balloonist Gaspard-Félix Tournachon, has been lost.

First Photograph of Earth from the Moon

First photo of Earth taken from the Moon (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

On August 23, 1966, a lunar orbiter snapped this image of Earth from the Moon. The incredible image was captured during the orbiter's 16th lap around the Moon.

Oldest Color Photograph

First color photograph taken in 1861 by Thomas Sutton (using the three-color method developed by James Clerk Maxwell in 1855). The subject is a tartan ribbon. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Physicist James Clerk Maxwell is responsible for taking the world's first color photograph. In 1855, Maxwell developed a three-color method, with the actual shutter being pressed by Thomas Sutton in 1861. The subject of the image? A colored ribbon, also known as a tartan ribbon.

First Color Underwater Photo

First underwater photograph in color, 1926 (Photo: Charles Martin & William Longley, Public domain)

In 1926 National Geographic photographer Charles Martin and botanist William Longley took the first underwater photograph in color. Taken off the Florida Keys, it shows a hogfish. The duo took this pioneering shot by encasing cameras in waterproof housing and using a magnesium-powered flash.

First Digital Photo

The world’s first digital photo, taken in 1957. Capturing the son of Walden Kirsch, this image is also one of the first scanned images. (Photo: Russell A. Kirsch via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

The first digital photo was taken earlier than you may have thought. Almost 20 years before the original Kodak digital camera, in 1957, this square image of Russell Kirsch's son was taken. The photo is a digital scan of a film image, resulting in a square photograph that makes it Instagram-ready.

First Digital Photo of a President

First official portrait of Barack Obama as President of the United States and the first photograph of the POTUS taken with a digital camera, 2009. (Photo: Pete Souza via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0)

It was only in 2009 that a digital camera was used to photograph POTUS. Official photographer Pete Souza holds the honor with his portrait of Barack Obama. Taken with a Canon 5D Mark II and no flash, the image shows the shifting gears of technology that have reached the White House.

First Photo on Instagram

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Mike Krieger (@mikeyk)

On July 16, 2010, Instagram co-founder Mike Krieger uploaded the first post on Instagram. Actually, it was uploaded using an app called Codename, which three months later became the app we all know and love. His photo depicts South Beach harbor at Pier 38.

A few hours later, Instagram's other co-founder Kevin Systrom uploaded his first post, which captures his dog sitting at a taco stand in Mexico.

First Photo Inside the Sun's Corona

Photo: NASA/Naval Research Laboratory/Parker Solar Probe

On November 8, 2018, NASA's Parker Solar Probe took a groundbreaking photograph at 16.9 million miles from the Sun. That's incredibly close when one considers that Earth is located 91 million miles from the Sun. This first-ever photo from inside the Sun's corona is a breakthrough in the field of heliophysics and researchers are hopeful it will help us learn more about this giant star.

First Photo of a Black Hole

Photo: Event Horizon Telescope Collaboration

In April 2019, NASA released the first known image of a black hole. This mysterious entity sits in the center of the Messier 87 galaxy—55 million light years from Earth—and was captured by the Event Horizon Telescope. The luminous disk we see is actually the black hole's accretion disk, where hot gases swirl around the vacuous space.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the first photograph taken?

The world's first photograph—or at least the oldest surviving photo—was taken by Joseph Nicéphore Niépce in 1826 or 1827. Captured using a technique known as heliography, the shot was taken from an upstairs window at Niépce's estate in Burgundy.

When was the first color photograph taken?

Thomas Sutton took the world's first color photograph in 1861 using the three-color method developed by physicist James Clerk Maxwell in 1855. The subject of the image was a colored ribbon, also known as a tartan ribbon.

Who took the first photograph?

Joseph Nicéphore Niépce took the world's first photograph in 1826 or 1827.

This article has been edited and updated.

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