Whoa Facts

A picture is worth a thousand words, or so they say.&nbsp;If you think about it, this really is true, because each picture ever taken has <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/stories-behind-famous-historical-photos/melissa-sartore">a story behind it</a>. Whether it's popular historical images,<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/stories-behind-pulitzer-prize-winning-photos/melissa-sartore"> prize-winning photos,</a> or stunning<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/disturbing-photo-backstories-2021/rylee_en"> snapshots from days gone by</a>, pictures provide historical insight.&nbsp;Photos of historical figures give us a glimpse into a specific moment in that person's life, one that can be heart-warming, gut-wrenching, or just plain mundane. They can show us a new side of someone we already feel like we know, or introduce us to a person we've never even heard of. Regardless, they're fascinating to look at - and these pictures prove it.&nbsp;

12 Pictures Of People From History And The Stories Behind Them

General

Melissa Sartore

Hey, Looky-Lous! Get your rubbernecks ready.

Cool Things You've Gotta See

Photos

Each year since 2006, Wikimedia Commons holds a vote-off of all its featured images submitted by users over the course of the year. Other users award the "<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Picture_of_the_Year">Picture of the Year</a>" to one photo, with two runners-up featured as well.While of course these aren't all the images on the internet, the winners are the cream of the crop of an extensive collection of impressive annual snaps. Subjects include everything from <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/weird-landscape-photos/ashley-reign">breathtaking landscapes</a> to unique cultural phenomena, and come together to create an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/whoa-historical-photos/alby-thompson">awe-inducing</a> and informative collection.Vote up the photos you think most deserved to be crowned “Picture of the Year.”&nbsp;

The Best Picture Of Each Year Since 2006, According To The Internet

Elle Tharp

Travel

Everyone knows it: Traveling via plane and through airports is just exhaustingly infuriating. Here are a few of those moments from the lovely folks at r/<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Wellthatsucks/">wellthatsucks</a>.

 23 Moments From Airline Travel That Made Us Say 'Well That Sucks'

Julia Linger

Fascinating, beautiful, and enlightening photographs from history, in their original black-and-white forms, colorized, or even in sepia.

Life in Pictures

History

Photos capture moments and allow us to see what happened in the past again - right before our eyes. Whether a photo is in black and white or color, it tells a story of the person, place, or event depicted.&nbsp;But what if that story could become <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/colorized-photos-you-never-saw-in-your-textbooks/brenden-donnelly">even more vibrant</a>? Even more alive? That can happen sometimes when <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/colorized-historical-images-travel-back-in-time/melissa-sartore">color is added</a> to an image that was once only in black, white, and shades of grade. These photos give the past a little something extra thanks to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/colorized-photos-of-wwii/melissa-sartore">splashes of color </a>from across the spectrum. In fact, they make history look even cooler than it already did.&nbsp;Do you agree?

15 Colorized Historical Images That Opened Our Eyes To The Past In New Ways

A look at some of the oldest known, recorded, and/or existing things on earth.

Old School Cool

Landmarks

Looking at an ancient landmark is the closest we can get to understanding what it was like to live in a location thousands of years ago. Whether we visit a site in person or study images of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/satellite-images-of-archaeological-sites/melissa-sartore">ancient structures,</a> it might not be easy to get the full picture.&nbsp;This is where technology can help.<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/google-satellite-images-of-famous-places/eric-vega">Satellite images</a> of some of the oldest landmarks on the planet allow for a glimpse of a historical place from above. It's like peeking in from the ether and seeing it in a completely different context. The vantage point a satellite allows for is unlike any other. If you think about it, satellite images let us <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/historical-places-on-google-earth/melissa-sartore">look at a landmar</a>k in a unique way the people who experienced it at its height never could have fathomed.Take a look at some of the oldest landmarks on Earth from land and from space - and vote up the ones that look even more amazing from above!

Satellite Images Of 13 Of The Oldest Landmarks On Earth

Location

A deserted prison, a once-thriving factory, a town deemed unsafe, a vacant building - these are just a sample of the abandoned places on the planet. And if you view <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/photos-of-abandoned-buildings/jacob-shelton">pictures from them</a>, abandoned sites can be full of creepy vibes.&nbsp;Eeriness and unease can sneak in when looking down on a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/american-ghost-towns/alby-thompson">forsaken place</a> from above. In fact, an overhead peek into an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/creepy-towns/christopher-shultz">abandoned location</a> might just be creepier. Take a look and let us know which satellite images of abandoned places creep you out.

Satellite Images Of 14 Abandoned Places With A Creepy View From Above

Historical Figures

Photography&nbsp;is a relatively recent invention. Although the first true photograph as we know it was taken roughly 200 years ago, that&#39;s obviously&nbsp;just a tiny slice of recorded history. For all of those &quot;lost years,&quot; historians have had to get creative in <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/3d-recreations-of-historical-figures/stephanroget" target="_blank">reimagining&nbsp;famous historical figures</a>. Though photography grew increasingly prolific after its invention, there&#39;s a sort of twilight period when historical figures were actually photographed, yet the rare photos aren&#39;t&nbsp;that well known.&nbsp;

These real pictures of historical figures like John Quincy Adams, Harriet Tubman, and Billy the Kid can give a whole new perspective on when these people lived. The fact that they&#39;re preserved on camera is mind-blowing. Vote up the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/last-known-photos-of-historical-figures/cleo-egnal?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">images of historical figures</a> you&#39;re most surprised to see exist.

20 Photos Of Historic Figures We Didn't Know Lived Long Enough To Be Photographed

Mallory Weiler

Throughout history, important places have come and gone. Whether a location was once a trading hub, a center of power, or a source of valuable resources, cities, and towns across the world have existed - and vanished.There are definitely places that <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/evidence-of-atlantis/katia-kleyman">may never be</a> found again regardless of what may show up in the history books. &nbsp;The places weren't always completely wiped off the map - although there <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/places-that-disappeared-in-an-instant/jim-rowley">are examples</a> of activities that resemble that phenomenon - but rather were abandoned, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/places-that-fell-into-the-sea/kellen-perry">irrevocably damaged</a>, or taken over by nature.&nbsp;At times, a lost place is so remote and unknown that it has <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/satellite-images-of-real-mythical-places/melissa-sartore">acquired legendary status</a>. Other places have become so wrapped up in lore that it's difficult to tell fact from fiction. Then there are the towns and cities that have been built over and function as one of many layers of the past.All of these once-lost places fall into one or more of those categories. Thanks to curious explorers or historical happenstance, these locations were rediscovered and, with the help of technology, can be seen from far above.&nbsp;

Satellite Images Of 12 'Lost Cities' That Aren't Lost Anymore

Remember these child stars? How did they turn out?

All Grown Up

Child Stars

The glow-up is one of the favored narratives of Hollywood and for those who become enamored of stars. It’s easy to see why this would be the case, as there seems to be something inherently gratifying about watching an actor mature and grow from less serious roles into more mature dramatic fare.&nbsp;The pleasure of watching this phenomenon is even more remarkable when the glow-up is unexpected. There's something ineffable about an actor formerly known for playing a goofball or a nerd suddenly revealing the hidden dramatic talent that had been there all along.Such glow-ups are a reminder of how much potential is often hidden behind the young faces of child actors.&nbsp;

13 Child Stars Who Had Unexpected Glow-Ups

Actor

Child Stars Who Had Unexpected Glow-Ups

Thomas West

Then & Now

The 1990s was the era of grunge, independent films, and the dawning of the world wide web, but what was it like at the grocery store? For generations, people have commented on the rising cost of groceries, but when factoring in inflation, some items are actually cheaper today than they were in the 1990s. Food prices in 1990 were often similar to today&#39;s prices - which one would hope for since it wasn&#39;t all that long ago - though some items have actually come down in price in the past 30 years.

Have you ever wondered, &ldquo;how much was a loaf of bread in the 1990s?&rdquo; How about the price of eggs? This list will break down <a href="http://https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=12&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjL-JT44NnoAhWQhJ4KHatpA1cQFjALegQIBxAB&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fnaldc.nal.usda.gov%2Fdownload%2FCAT91960192%2FPDF&amp;usg=AOvVaw3LzA_fIuaI7cfmaiGusyVK" target="_blank">1990 food prices</a> by listing the average price back then, the 1990 price factoring in inflation &ndash; using the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics&#39;s <a href="https://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/cpicalc.pl?cost1=0.60&amp;year1=199001&amp;year2=202003" target="_blank">inflation calculator</a> &ndash; and today&#39;s cost for the same items.

Vote up the grocery store items that you think have the best 2020 value and vote down any food that you&#39;d rather go back in time to purchase.

How Much Grocery Store Items Cost In 1990 Vs. 2020

Food

Jude Newsome

Lil Nas X

Not only did he turn heads with his showstopping outfit, but Lil Nas X also managed to snag selfies with some of the biggest names in entertainment and fashion at the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/met-gala-reactions-twitter-2023/jane-lacroix?ref=profile_own">2023 Met Gala</a>. We've rounded up all of his celeb selfies from the night. Check them out, and vote for your faves!&nbsp;&nbsp;

Lil Nas X Took Selfies With Celebrities At The 2023 Met Gala And We're Obsessed

Jane LaCroix

Lists about everything from the best burger toppings to the most unbelievable things to ever happen inside fast food restaurants. 

Beep Beep It's Fast Food

Historical Photos

A generation or two has&nbsp;been raised on&nbsp;fast food, and whether you want to pass judgment on us or not, we all share precious memories of that special time in our lives when those fast food oases were absolutely perfect. Granted, we probably only see them as perfect&nbsp;because of nostalgia, but that's the way we like it, darn it!The feeling of fast food nostalgia unites '80s, '90s, and early millennial kids in a way few things can. There were creative&nbsp;movie tie-ins, the best playgrounds, out-of-this-world prizes, and questionable aesthetic choices that we can't help but laugh at given some distance. No wonder so many of us wish we could get back to the good ol'&nbsp;days.These <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/fast-food-pictures-over-the-years/mick-jacobs?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">fast food photos</a> just may be able to transport us back there, if even only for a moment.

Old School Fast Food Photos That Remind Us Of 'The Way We Ate'

Will Morgan

Wholesome

Star Wars is one of the most iconic franchises in all of entertainment. From the incredibly successful trilogies to the dozens of television spinoffs, hundreds of actors have portrayed characters in the Star Wars universe. Here are some of our favorite behind-the-scenes photos that Star Wars actors took and posted while promoting their projects.

19 'Star Wars' Photos Taken By Cast Members That Prove They're Just As Big Of Fans As We Are

Brian Roque

Entertainment

It's tough being a child actor. If you have a hit, heavy expectations can be placed upon you. If not, it can feel as though the whole world is rejecting you. Those and other factors, including the stress of long work hours and the pressure from adults to be “on” all the time, have led more than a few young performers down a bad road. The list of famous names who struggled with substance use or worse is long.In happier cases, the child actors take a reprieve in order to get themselves together then return once they feel more ready to handle the pressures of fame. The following child stars all did that, going on a break before returning triumphantly. Some did it intentionally to pursue an education or another personal interest. Others had the break thrust upon them but used it to grow and recalculate what they wanted from their careers. Either way, they eventually emerged to re-establish their awesomeness.Vote up your favorite child actors who came back and nailed it.&nbsp;

Child Actors Who Returned After Long Breaks - And Nailed It

Child Actors Who Returned For Grown Up Roles

Mike McGranaghan

Watchworthy

If there's one thing common to almost every movie, it's change. Characters rarely begin one way and end in the exact same place - unless they're the antagonist, of course. For protagonists, change is very natural, and movies often showcase a transformation through a makeover or montage of before and after moments. Disney does this exceptionally well with its princesses, but the House of Mouse is <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/nerdy-girl-makeovers-from-teen-movies/candice-darden">hardly the only one out there mastering changes</a>.&nbsp;Still, sometimes it can be challenging to let go of a character's look and accept the change, leaving many to shout, “Change them back,” at their screens. This list features examples of this – the folks listed below are all characters who underwent one kind of change or transformation by the movie's end. Take a look below, and if you find any you think should have left things how they were, be sure to give them an upvote before you go!

Movie Character Transformations That Make Everyone Say ‘Change Them Back!'

Film character

Movie Characters Who Were Just Fine Before Their Transformation

Jonathan H. Kantor

Ranking the best and most influential photographers across all genres, now and since the beginning of the art form.

Behind the Lens

Money

In the modern days of having a highly sophisticated camera in our back pocket, many of us can take the art of photography for granted. But that wasn't the case for the buyers of the photos on this list, who were <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/why-does-art-sell-for-so-much/megan-summers">willing to spend millions of dollars</a> to get their hands on some of the greatest photographs ever taken.&nbsp;Some of these works of art are over a century old, taken on some of the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/oldest-known-photographs/cleo-egnal">first examples of photographic equipment</a> ever invented. Others are less than two decades old, taken on what seems to be a flip phone's camera.&nbsp;Some of these photos you'll likely recognize; others, you might gain an appreciation for after seeing them. Which photo would you be willing to pay big bucks for?

12 Of The Most Expensive Photographs Ever Sold

The Most Expensive Photographs Ever Sold

Emily Mast

Photography lists at Ranker - The ultimate source for hundreds of photography lists and rankings