The most influential images of the 20th century

The 20th century saw the emergence of photography as a powerful medium for storytelling, activism, and cultural reflection. Here are some of the most influential images of the 20th century, each shaping public consciousness and history in profound ways:

1. “Migrant Mother” by Dorothea Lange (1936)

2. “Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima” by Joe Rosenthal (1945)

• Context: Captured during World War II, this iconic image shows six U.S. Marines raising the American flag atop Mount Suribachi.
• Impact: It became a symbol of American resilience and patriotism, later inspiring the Marine Corps War Memorial.

3. “The Falling Man” by Richard Drew (2001)

• Context: A man falling from the North Tower of the World Trade Center during the September 11 attacks.
• Impact: This haunting image captures the tragedy and human cost of the attacks, sparking widespread emotional and ethical debates.

4. “Tank Man” by Jeff Widener (1989)

• Context: An unidentified man stands in front of a column of tanks in Tiananmen Square, Beijing, during protests for democracy.
• Impact: This defiant act became a global symbol of resistance against oppression.

5. “Napalm Girl” by Nick Ut (1972)

• Context: Phan Thi Kim Phuc, a young girl, runs naked down a road after a napalm attack during the Vietnam War.
• Impact: This shocking image galvanized anti-war sentiment worldwide and demonstrated the horrors of modern warfare.

6. “Earthrise” by William Anders (1968)

• Context: Taken during the Apollo 8 mission, it shows Earth rising above the Moon’s horizon.
• Impact: The photo fostered global environmental awareness and inspired the modern environmental movement.

7. “Lunch Atop a Skyscraper” by Charles C. Ebbets (1932)

• Context: Eleven men sit on a steel beam eating lunch, high above New York City during the construction of Rockefeller Center.
• Impact: It epitomized the bold spirit of industrial progress during the Great Depression.

8. “The Hindenburg Disaster” by Sam Shere (1937)

• Context: The German airship Hindenburg engulfed in flames as it crashes in New Jersey.
• Impact: This image marked the end of the airship era and became a symbol of human error and tragedy.

9. “The Execution of a Viet Cong Prisoner” by Eddie Adams (1968)

• Context: A South Vietnamese police chief executes a Viet Cong suspect during the Vietnam War.
• Impact: The graphic image stirred anti-war sentiment and raised questions about the ethics of war photography.

10. “Black Power Salute” by John Dominis (1968)

• Context: Tommie Smith and John Carlos raise their fists in a Black Power salute during the medal ceremony at the Olympics in Mexico City.
• Impact: It became an enduring image of the civil rights movement and the fight for racial equality.

11. “V-J Day in Times Square” by Alfred Eisenstaedt (1945)

• Context: A sailor kisses a nurse in Times Square, celebrating the end of World War II.
• Impact: The image became a symbol of relief, joy, and the end of a brutal war.

12. “Gandhi and the Spinning Wheel” by Margaret Bourke-White (1946)

• Context: Mahatma Gandhi sits beside a spinning wheel, representing self-reliance and nonviolent resistance against British rule.
• Impact: This image encapsulated Gandhi’s philosophy and the Indian independence movement.

13. “D-Day Landing” by Robert Capa (1944)

• Context: Soldiers storm Omaha Beach during the Normandy invasion in World War II.
• Impact: These grainy, raw images brought the reality of war into public view.

14. “Child Stalked by a Vulture” by Kevin Carter (1993)

• Context: A starving Sudanese child lies on the ground as a vulture looms behind.
• Impact: It drew attention to the famine in Sudan and sparked debates on the ethics of photojournalism.

15. “Che Guevara Portrait” by Alberto Korda (1960)

• Context: The image of revolutionary Che Guevara became an enduring icon of rebellion and resistance.
• Impact: It remains one of the most reproduced and recognizable images in history.

These photographs are powerful not just because of their technical quality but because they tell profound stories that resonate across time, shaping how we remember and understand key moments in history.