It’s obvious the world has changed a lot since the beginning of recorded history, but it’s not often we stop to notice just how much (or, in some cases, how little) things have changed.
The website re-photos encourages photographers to recreate historic pictures of places and people in order to create stunning “before and after” images. Take a look at some amazing before and after images that might make you look at our world a little differently.
1. The Signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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Our forefathers are pictured signing the famous document in 1776. In 2017, 241 years later, their descendants gathered to recreate the famous image.
2. Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., facing the United States Capitol building.
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The first image was taken in 1900, the second 113 years later, in 2013.
3. The Moulin Rouge nightclub in Paris, France.
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The first image was taken in 1900, the second 115 years later, in 2016.
4. Hammerfest, a small fishing community in Norway.
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The first photo was taken in 1889, the second 114 years later, in 2004. One interesting note: the entire town burned to the ground in 1945 during the German retreat.
5. The Eiffel Tower in Paris, France
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The first image was taken in 1900, the second 117 years later, in 2017.
6. The Chaney Glacier in Montana, United States.
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The first image was taken in 1911, the second 94 years later, in 2005.
7. St. Martin Street in Poznań, Poland.
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In 1945, this street in Poland was destroyed during World War II. In 2017, you’d never know the horrors that had occured here just 72 years ago.
8. Frauenkirche Dresden in Germany.
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This is another example of a building that was completely rebuilt after being destroyed by bombs in World War II. The first picture shows the original structure in 1897, the second image was taken 112 years later in 2010.
9. Esplanade des Invalides in Paris, France.
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The first image was taken in 1900, the second was taken 116 years later, in 2017.
10. Osnabrück Central Station in Germany.
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In 1965, there were far more cars parked in the lot than there are fifty years later, in 2015. The people of Osnabrück certainly like their bicycles!
11. Nowomiejska Street in Lodz, Poland.
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In 1874, chickens still roamed the streets in what appears to be a ghost town. One hundred and forty-one years later in 2016, cable cars and automobiles are the norm.
12. Palais Im Groben Garten in Dresden, Germany.
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1900-2005. Not much has changed here in 105 years!
13. Sydney Harbour, Australia.
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1965-2016. A lot has changed in just 49 years.
14. The Queen’s Hotel in Kandy, Sri Lanka.
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The 102 years between 1915 and 2018 have been kind to this British Colonial style hotel.
15. A shipwreck in Lanzarote, located in the Canary Islands, Spain.
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The Telamon ran aground here in 1981, and not much has changed since then! These images were taken 23 years apart, in 1994 and 2018, respectively.
16. View from St James Bridge near Newcastle Upon Tyne, Scotland.
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From 1975 to 2013. This area has grown substantially in just 38 years!
17. Calle La Merced-Puente Bolognesi, Peru.
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One hundred years passed between 1916 and 2016, yet not much has changed on this sleepy street in South America.
18. The Bay Bridge near San Francisco, California.
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Two photos taken 26 years apart, in 1980 and 2007. Not much has changed in the Bay city from this vantage point.
19. A fishing village in Andenes, Norway.
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Time seems to have stood still for the 102 years between 1898 and 1992.
20. A street in Osnabruck, Germany.
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The sixty-two years between 1953 and 2015 have been kind to this quaint German street.
Isn’t it amazing what the passing of time actually looks like? These wonderful photos provide us with a glimpse into history, while also enabling us to keep an eye on the past.
Please share this story with a history buff who will love these before and after pictures!
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