Exploring the backstories and nuances of famous historical photos that will change the way you think about the past—and the future.

Photographic Memories

Photos

Felice Beato was an Italian-British photographer who began his career taking the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=A02ygdzHegoC&amp;printsec=frontcover&amp;dq=Felice+Beato&amp;hl=en&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjm3oHsnIrWAhUF-lQKHWHuAaoQ6wEIKTAA#v=onepage&amp;q=hand%20coloring&amp;f=false">first-ever photographs</a> of battle during the Crimean War. Beato is renowned not only for venturing into a new genre of photography so soon after the art's inception, but also for pioneering various new techniques and for photographing places, events, and people that were previously inaccessible to a wide audience. Beato brought the East to the West, giving British citizens insight into the cultures of and wars going on in countries like China, India, Japan, and Burma. He ventured into photographing bodies on the battlefield, a first in war photography history, and took his skills and creativity all around the world.&nbsp;Beato's innovation and mastery of a blossoming genre have secured him in the history books as one of the most prominent war photographers of all time.&nbsp;

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These Photos Taken By An Early War Photographer Offer A Fascinating Glimpse Into The Past

General

Felice Beato's Photos Offer A Fascinating Glimpse Into The Past

Cleo Egnal

Lists about the period of United States history that allowed for human enslavement, from early colonial days until the ratification of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865.

American Slavery

Abraham Lincoln

One image did more to end slavery in the United States than any other. It was the map through which Abraham Lincoln saw&nbsp;slavery, and it changed the way he thought about the Civil War.&nbsp;

President&nbsp;Lincoln&rsquo;s map of slavery was the <a href="https://www.loc.gov/resource/g3861e.cw0013200/?r=-0.404,0.008,1.989,0.739,0" target="_blank">1861 U.S. Coast Survey Map</a>. It drew on census data and used groundbreaking cartographic techniques for the era to visually depict the four million Americans held in bondage in the Southern states. The map revealed which counties had the highest concentrations of slaves, as well as&nbsp;which parts of the Confederacy might be the least committed to the institution.

Lincoln relied on this snapshot map of slavery before the Civil War to decide how to propose abolition. The map pushed him to issue the Emancipation Proclamation, and it drove Union support for ending slavery during the darkest days of the Civil War.

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The Map That Helped Convince Lincoln Slavery Had To End

Genevieve Carlton

The Vietnam War - known in Vietnam as the Resistance War Against America - lasted from November 1, 1955, until the fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975.

The War in Vietnam

Entertainment

War is often the topic of a book, a movie, or a television show but <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/military-tv-shows-and-series/ranker-tv">some wars</a> are more likely to be talked about than others. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-shows-about-wwii/gordon-cameron">World War II</a> has been assessed, discussed, and portrayed in so many ways, it's nearly impossible to keep track. One war that doesn't receive the same amount of attention, however, is the Vietnam War.There are relatively few Vietnam War TV shows. Many programs include an episode about it or incorporate mention of it from time to time, but finding an entire series built around the decade-long conflict isn't as easy as one may think. The shows that have taken on the divisive, brutal, and engrossing war stand out for it even more.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-documentaries-about-vietnam/ranker-film">Documentaries</a> and docu-series notwithstanding, scripted television about the Vietnam War provides glimpses into the American psyche during the 1960s and 1970s while simultaneously inserting viewers into the landscape of Southeast Asia - in as much as that's possible on a screen and from a healthy distance.&nbsp;Watching a Vietnam War TV series can be a visceral experience, one that sticks with you. But which show is the most moving and powerful of the Vietnam War?

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The 11 Best Shows About The Vietnam War, Ranked

TV Program

The 11 Best Vietnam War Shows, Ranked

Melissa Sartore

After the September 11th attacks on the U.S., President George W. Bush began an international military campaign against terrorist organizations and regimes that support them.

The War on Terror

Iraq War

War can evoke haunting narratives that are powerfully brought to life on the silver screen, offering a unique perspective to viewers worldwide. Among these, movies about the Iraq War have left an indelible mark on cinema with their heart-wrenching tales and gripping depictions of harsh realities, all realized by renowned directors, notable actors, and talented screenwriters.Our expertly curated selection unveils the best Iraq War movies ever made, showcasing chilling accounts of those impacted by this immensely complex conflict. These films don't merely present brilliant cinematic experiences, they also delve into intricate personal narratives, often set against the backdrop of a war-ravaged Iraq. The list comprises unforgettable classics, critically acclaimed masterpieces, and moving stories that revolve around the Iraq War.Several of these movies skillfully straddle the line between reality and fiction, with some narratives inspired by true events from the Iraq War. Films like Shock and Awe, Official Secrets, and American Sniper brilliantly depict personal stories woven into the turbulent fabric of war, enhancing viewer understanding and engagement.In the era of online streaming, access to films, especially those from the Iraq War genre, has become exceptionally easy. To accommodate this, we've included convenient streaming buttons for various platforms such as Amazon Prime, Paramount+, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, and Netflix under each movie title. Just click on your preferred platform and you're ready to immerse yourself in these cinematic masterpieces.Your voice counts! We highly encourage you to voice your opinion by voting for your favorite movies from the list. Whether you're drawn to impactful documentaries, resonating true stories, or captivating narratives blended with real-life conflicts, we've got all bases covered. Make your voice count, and help us identify the real gems among Iraq War movies.

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The 40+ Best Iraq War Movies

Film

The 40+ Best Movies About The Iraq War, Ranked

Ranker Film

Revisiting HBO's beloved, harrowing, heartbreaking miniseries that follows the Easy Company from jump training in 1942 through the end of WWII.

Band of Brothers

Historical Entertainment

HBO has put out numerous stellar television series, miniseries, and movies,&nbsp;many of which have springboarded the careers of some famous actors. Band of Brothers, based on historian Stephen E. Ambrose's 1992 nonfiction book,&nbsp;is no exception to this phenomenon.Aired in 2001,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/all-band-of-brothers-characters/ranker-tv">Band of Brothers</a>&nbsp;tells the harrowing stories of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/band-of-brothers-small-poignant-details/alby-thompson">men who fought in Easy Company</a>,&nbsp;506th Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division of the US Army during World War II. The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/real-band-of-brothers/mallory-weiler">cast of Band of Brothers</a>&nbsp;featured <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/actors-you-forgot-played-grunts-in-war-movies/ezra-hendren">future action stars like Tom Hardy</a>, well-known comedic actors such as David Schwimmer, and Magneto himself,&nbsp;Michael Fassbender.&nbsp;Never fear, Dr. Charles Xavier (played by James McAvoy) was there, too.Many&nbsp;Band of Brothers&nbsp;actors continue to thrive on big and small screens alike. Here's a glimpse of what some of your favorite&nbsp;Band of Brothers&nbsp;actors are up to now.

Where The Cast Of 'Band of Brothers' Is Now

Person

Japan

Based on the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/books-about-the-subject-samurai/reference">book of the same name,</a> Shogun is the story of the struggle for power in Japan in the early 17th century. As Japanese warlords and warlords fight for supremacy, the presence of Europeans adds another layer of complexity to the intrigue.&nbsp;Shogun is a mix of history, fiction, drama, and action, influenced by real events and real people. As cultures collide, the references to historical happenings exist at every turn - many of which may be lost on those unfamiliar with <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/modernizing-japan-and-the-end-of-samurai/christopher-myers">17th century Japan</a>. While books, movies, and television have offered glimpses into the world of samurai, shoguns, and the like, it's difficult to tell what's real and what's the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/historically-inaccurate-samurai-tropes/melissa-sartore">creation of popular culture</a> and media.&nbsp;Shogun is no different, full of passing comments about life and death in Japan, often without much explanation. Despite being a work of historical fiction, there's a lot of truth about history mixed into each and every moment of the series. And, understanding them just makes Shogun even more of an engrossing trip into the past.&nbsp;

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Historical References In 'Shogun,' Explained

Weird History

Saving Private Ryan&nbsp;debuted in 1998, and since then, it&#39;s stood the test of time as one of Steven Spielberg&#39;s greatest films and arguably&nbsp;one of the best war movies of all time. Although it didn&#39;t win best picture at the 71st Academy Awards, the film still took home five Oscars, including a best director win for Spielberg. It was a huge success at the box office, too, taking in more than <a href="https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Saving-Private-Ryan#tab=summary" target="_blank">$485 million</a> worldwide.&nbsp;

Spielberg and his cast, led by Tom Hanks,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/saving-private-ryan-little-details/melissa-sartore" target="_blank">meticulously re-created</a> WWII in 1944, including D-Day and&nbsp;its aftermath. Attempting to portray&nbsp;D-Day and other events as realistically as possible was an accomplishment, but Spielberg&#39;s bigger reason for making the film was to honor the people who actually lived through WWII.&nbsp;

Here are some&nbsp;unknown stories about how&nbsp;Saving Private Ryan&nbsp;was filmed.&nbsp;

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The Making Of 'Saving Private Ryan' Got More Real Than Most Viewers Ever Knew

'Saving Private Ryan' Behind-The-Scenes Stories And Details

Jason Bancroft

All about Spielberg's epic & heartbreaking WWII drama, celebrating 25 years in 2023.

Saving Private Ryan

<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/ww2-movie-details/alexandra-kelley">World War II movies</a> like Saving Private Ryan always offer a host of small details for fans to uncover. Whether you're a history buff, just have an eagle eye for small details, or you aced your English lit analysis exams, <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/based-on-true-story-movies/harper-brooks?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">movies based on real events</a> are rich with possibilities. While some viewers may not notice all of the nuances filmmakers hide in a movie, the long-time tradition ensures that people can experience these films differently every time they rewatch.&nbsp;When it comes to the movie Saving Private Ryan, fans have uncovered a host of details that relate to barely noticeable historical accuracies, subtle foreshadowing details, and even some big-picture metaphors.&nbsp;Did you catch all of these small details?&nbsp;

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Small Details From 'Saving Private Ryan' That Demand A Rewatch

Small Movie Details From 'Saving Private Ryan'

Alexandra Kelley

Lists about the period of political upheaval between 1765 and 1783, when the Thirteen Colonies finally said 'cheerio' to King George III and founded these independent United States of America. 

You Say You Want a Revolution

American Revolutionary War

The United States of America has only been a nation since it declared Independence from Britain in 1776, but that Declaration of Independence would be nothing were it not for the world-changing conflict it launched. Within short order, the former British Colonies united to call themselves the USA and King George wasn't about to let that go without a fight! Between 1775 and 1783, the United States and Great Britain fought a war, which came to be known the American Revolutionary War, or sometimes, the War for American Independence.During the conflict and now, many years later, artists have put their paint to canvas to depict the various battles and the men and women embroiled within them. The conflict was fought on land and at sea with many of those scenes painted by some of the most talented artists of the day. Of particular note is&nbsp;Emanuel Leutze's famous painting of Washington crossing the Deleware, but other artists such as&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/modern-update-of-john-trumbulls-declaration-of-independence/stephanroget">John Trumbull</a> captured some of the most important aspects of the war in their paintings, which are good representations of the people and places of the time.&nbsp;With more than 240 years of classic artwork supporting the various points of view of the conflict, there have been some beautiful and impressive paintings made. Of the many thousands of representations of that great conflict, these are arguably the best. Don't forget to vote for your favorite down below!

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The Best American Revolution Paintings

Artwork

The Best Paintings of the American Revolutionary War Ranked

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While A24’s&nbsp;Warfare doesn’t feature a strong narrative or character arcs like typical war films, it prioritizes immersion in ways many movies fail to capture. Based on the experiences of U.S. veterans in 2006, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2025/04/11/warfare-movie-ray-mendoza-iraq-war/82973388007/">including co-director Ray Mendoza</a>, the film dedicates an exceptional commitment to the technicalities and emotions that arise in real world combat. Tropes such as explosions needing to be inches away to have an effect are nowhere to be seen here.Warfare seeks to put authenticity above all else in its ninety-five minute coverage of a 2006 SEAL mission. In it, aspects of modern combat that are typically distorted by cinema have been taken from soldier’s recollections and translated to the big screen. Below is just some of what makes Warfare an accurate representation of modern combat.

Small Details That Make 'Warfare' One Of The Most Accurate War Movies Of All Time

Small Details That Make 'Warfare' Such An Accurate War Movie

Scott Williamson

War TV & Film

Though it first aired in 2001, HBO&#39;s&nbsp;Band of Brothers&nbsp;remains an <a href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/best-written-tv-shows" target="_blank">extremely popular series</a>, with fans across the internet attesting to multiple rewatches throughout the years. Intimately familiar with the World War II drama, these fans enjoy sharing various details they&#39;ve picked up from their latest binge sessions.&nbsp;

Check out these&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/band-of-brothers-accurate-scenes/alby-thompson" target="_blank">Band of Brothers&nbsp;details</a> that Redditors have shared over the years, and vote up the ones that strike you as the most significant.

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Small But Poignant Details Fans Noticed In 'Band Of Brothers'

Alby Thompson

Lists about the Hitler's Germany, which Der Führer ruled through fascism from 1933 to 1945.

The Horrors of the Third Reich

Germany

The jobs <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/120-and-nazi-party-members/barbara-gaston">Nazis</a> had before the war&nbsp;frequently influenced their subsequent careers and behaviors. Some of Hitler's followers came from sophisticated and affluent backgrounds, but most were similar to Hitler in the sense that they were sort of floating listlessly in society, unproductive <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/nerdy-things-the-nazis-did/jacob-shelton">young men with aesthetic sensibilities</a> who lacked a certain direction before finding one in the extermination of their fellow humans.As a result,&nbsp;Nazi officials' jobs&nbsp;before the Nazi party was founded were typically menial or unproductive, and many top Nazis, including Hitler,&nbsp;channeled their frustration,&nbsp;hatred, and hostility into a political movement with perhaps the most well-known ending in history.&nbsp;Nazi officials before the Third Reich, before their infamy, were pretty Average Joes with a whole lot of fiery, burning hatred seething beneath the surface.

14 Normal Jobs Nazi Leaders Used To Have That Prove Evil Can Come From Anywhere

14 Jobs Top Nazi Officials Had Before the Nazi Party Was Founded

Phil Gibbons

In September 2017, archaeologists <a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/excavations-begin-paul-reveres-privy-180965044/" target="_blank">began excavation</a> on an outhouse, or a privy, found behind the Pierce-Hichborn house, which sits&nbsp;next door to Paul Revere's family home in Boston. Revere, most known for warning the colonists that the British were coming during the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/france-helped-us-win-american-revolution/cleo-egnal" target="_blank">Revolutionary War</a>, is an important historical figure in <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/lies-about-the-founding-of-america/stephanroget" target="_blank">American history</a> — and apparently a lot can be learned from his bathroom habits.It took a long time for archaeologists to begin digging through ancient toilets, but once they did, they discovered that these sites held a plethora of information about the people who lived in those areas at certain times. Historians are hoping the dig at the Pierce-Hichborn house will give way to a whole host of new information about Revolutionary-era America.

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Archaeologists Dug Up Paul Revere's Outhouse, And Here's What They Found

World War II

There are few historical eras with as many movies about them as WWII. It was one of the bloodiest&nbsp;events in human history, and storytellers have been exploring this period since before the conflict&nbsp;was even over. Countless actors have stepped into the shoes of the Allied and Axis leaders, with some performances being more memorable than others. Even still, there are some actors living today who would be perfectly cast in a new WWII film.

If budgets and schedules weren&#39;t a factor, what would a dream casting of <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/most-influential-people-of-the-second-world-war/mwahahahaha" target="_blank">the most influential WWII leaders</a> look like? There are tons of talented actors who&nbsp;could play the parts, but only a few who could truly embody the personalities of Winston Churchill, Joseph Stalin, and Adolf Hitler. All of these actors are alive today, so we can fantasize that they might actually come together to make the greatest WWII film of all time.&nbsp;

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WWII World Leaders And The Actors Who Should Play Them In A Movie

Actors Who Should Play WWII World Leaders, Ranked By Fans

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A siege&nbsp;was a&nbsp;harsh experience for both sides of a conflict, but especially for the defenders. Trapped inside their fortifications, <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/siege-arms/richard-rowe" target="_blank">pounded by artillery</a>, and watching supplies dwindle, they required great courage and determination to keep the attacking side at bay for sustained periods of time. Sometimes&nbsp;the defenders faced an opposing force many times larger, yet still refused to give in.&nbsp;

From the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/weird-but-true-sparta-facts/emily-mast" target="_blank">women of Sparta</a> to the dogged determination of the citizens of Leningrad, this collection of historic battles features the defensive sides of sieges that&nbsp;faced absurd odds but still managed to prevail.&nbsp;

12 Siege Defenders Who Beat The Odds

M. Muir

Cold War

John F. Kennedy was America&#39;s president in the middle&nbsp;of the Cold War with Russia. Arguably, some of the most interesting and compelling <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/non-political-facts-about-john-f-kennedy/stephanroget" target="_blank">John F. Kennedy facts</a>&nbsp;are stories from the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. The dramatic showdown with the Soviets represents the high-water mark in Kennedy&rsquo;s presidency, regarding both restraint and achievement. The public facts of the incident only scratch the surface of the overall intrigue, though.

While JFK was busy negotiating with Nikita Khrushchev, the other powers-that-be in the US&nbsp;government spent 1962 planning alternate ways to deal with the crisis. This&nbsp;included&nbsp;a scheme called Operation Northwoods, a false flag attack on Americans intended to justify a war with Cuba.&nbsp;If the US&nbsp;government couldn&#39;t find&nbsp;a legitimate reason to strike Cuba, they planned to&nbsp;invent one. Luckily, President Kennedy&nbsp;firmly rejected the proposal, which could have spelled&nbsp;disaster for American morale.

At The Height Of The Cuban Missile Crisis, JFK Stopped DOD-Planned False Flag Attacks

How JFK Stopped Operation Northwoods At The Height Of The Cuban Missile Crisis

Stephan Roget

War lists at Ranker - The ultimate source for hundreds of war lists and rankings

War lists on Ranker

William Adama

Gaius Baltar

Sherman Cottle

Syfy

This list icludes the best &#39;Battlestar Galactica&#39; characters ever. When they rebooted &#39;Battlestar Galactica&#39; as a real sci-fi drama, some fans were skeptical. I loved Dirk Benedict and Richard Hatch as much as the rest of them, but the reboot blew me away. And while the show may have had a few rough patches in its story-telling, the characters remained more awesome with every new episode. I dare say that BSG is one of the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-best-scifi-television-series-of-all-time" target="_blank">best sci-fi television series&#39; of all time</a>. Vote for your faves on this list, and add that were missed, and check out our lists of other <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/what-to-watch-if-you-love-battlestar-galactica/watchworthy" target="_blank">shows like Battlestar Glactica</a>&nbsp;as well.

The &#39;Battlestar Galactica&#39; reboot boasted a lot of fantastic, truly memorable characters. It&#39;s pretty hard to choose one over the other, in some cases, but that&#39;s exactly what I want everyone to do. Whether it&#39;s a character you love to hate (Gaius Baltar, anyone?) or characters you admire for their unflinching devotion to keeping everyone safe (Admiral William Adama and Lt. Kara &quot;Starbuck&quot; Thrace), the decisions aren&#39;t easy ones. I leave it up to you, fellow BSG fans. And remember, this list is only for characters from the reboot, circa 2004 to 2009.

For more BSG goodness, check out these lists of all the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/full-list-of-battlestar-galactica-episodes/reference" target="_blank">&#39;Battlestar Galactica&#39; episodes</a> as well as this list of the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/full-cast-of-battlestar-galactica-cast-list-for-the-show-battlestar-galactica/reference" target="_blank">&#39;Battlestar Galactica&#39; cast list</a> (from season one, on).