Photographs are great to have memories of holidays, parties even our children growing up but sometimes they are much more than these snapshot. They can transform our thoughts and can change the world around us as we see it. OpenWingsEnglish collected the 10 most memorable and important photographs of the 20th century.
10. Einstein tongue (1951)
This photo was taken on the 4th of March in 1951. After Einstein’s birthday party they tried to get away from the „paparazzis” of that age. This is the scientist’s reaction to the photographer. Thanks to this photo we not only remember him as a great scientist but as a funny person, too.
9. Kiss on Times Square (1945)
An American marine kisses a nurse passionately right after the end of World War II. The photo symbolizes the joy and happiness of the American people for peace and love. Sidenote is that this young soldier kissed everyone in his way and his reward for this was a slap from this nurse.
8. Lunchtime atop a Skyscraper (1932)
11 workers having their unusual luncbreak at the 69th floor during the construction of the GE Building. Quite stunning and frightening at the same time…
7. Buddhist Monk Committing Suicide by Fire (1963)
6. Death of a soldier (1936)
Taken by Robert Capa during the Spanish civil war it is the most controversial photograph of that time. It was taken right at the moment of the soldier’s death, which makes it a very important picture of the meaningless and brutal war. Many questions the reality of the photo but that’s another story.
5. Man on the Moon (1969)
Buzz Aldrin, astronaut of Apollo 11, is standing on the surface of the Moon. Proof of the American technological advancement of the Cold War era. Conspiracy theorists doubt the reality of the landing but either real or photo manipulation it is still a great picture.
4. Tiananmen (1989)
This photograph is the symbol of freedom and hope. This young man showed millions of Chinese people that a single person can stop a whole bunch of tanks with only the power of his will and courage.
3. Child and vulture (1994)
Pulitzer Prize winning photo taken in 1994 during the Sudan famine. A vulture is waiting for this child to die while he is crawling to reach the United Nations food camp which is only a kilometre away. The picture is sad and shocking at the same time and nobody knows what happened to the child, including the photographer, who left the scene immediately. Three months later he committed suicide due to depression.
2. Flag on Iwo Jima (1945)
The flag standing at the soil of Iwo Jima became the most reproduced photo of all time. It represents victory for America and it became the symbol of the Second World War for the rest of the world.
And what is the most memorable photograph of the 20th century?
1. The Afghan girl (1984)
Almost everyone have come across this photograph in their lives. It depicts Sharbat Gula, a 12 year-old girl, who lost her parents during the Russian bombings. She crossed the mountains on bare foot to reach the refugee camp. Once you have seen these eyes it is sure you will never forget them.
