Here’s What 25 Famous Photos Look Like in Color
Updated: Dec. 08, 2022
These colorized versions of black and white photographs allow you to look at a piece of history with a different eye.
Colorizing the past
Before photos were collected on your phone they were taken on a camera, and before those photos were clear and in color they could only be printed in black and white. These famous photos in color allow you to get a different view of history. MyHeritage, a leading global discovery platform for exploring family history, has launched In Color™, which automatically colorizes black and white photos. The black and white images remain intact and are not changed by the colorization process, which produces new photos alongside the original ones. If you want to have old black and white photos of your family colorized, MyHeritage is offering their In Color tool for free until April 22. Take a look at these famous photos from a new lens.
Kiss in Times Square
This famous photo was taken on Victory Over Japan Day in Times Square in New York on August 14, 1945. Alfred Eisenstaedt captured a U.S. Navy sailor embracing and kissing a stranger in a spontaneous moment. Learn about the true stories behind 23 of America’s most iconic photos.
Olympics marathon
Burton Holmes captured this photograph of three male athletes training for the very first summer Olympics in 1896. Here are more historical photos that give us a glimpse into the past.
Lunch on a New York skyscraper
These construction workers had lunch together while working on a skyscraper in New York City in 1932. Check out what a body language expert has to say about these 11 famous photos.
It’s a Wonderful Life
Haven’t you always wondered what this holiday classic would look like in color? Here’s a colorized shot from the movie, It’s a Wonderful Life in 1946.
Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X
The two black leaders, Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X met only once on March 26, 1964. They were on Captial Hill attending the Senate debate on the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The famous Marilyn
Photographer Sam Shaw captured this famous shot of Marilyn Monroe in 1954. It was shot while she was filming a scene for the film The Seven Year Itch. Her skirt blew up when a passing subway creates a breeze from the grate on the street. These vintage photos show how glamorous flying used to be.
A long line of Kardashians
Kim Kardashian’s paternal grandparents, Arthur and Helen Kardashian, pose on their wedding day in 1938.
Kelly Ripa’s parents
Joe and Esther Ripa, the parents of television personality, Kelly Ripa, in 1965. You won’t find these candid, rarely seen photos in history books.
A young Jennifer
Jennifer Aniston shared this throwback photo of her and her father on Christmas Day when she was just a child in 1975.
The Today Show
A colorized photo of Jane Pauley and Tom Brokaw on the Today Show in 1979.
A young George
George Stephanopoulos, a television news anchor and former politician, circa 1975. These vintage photos show what family time used to look like.
Stunning Gayle
Broadcast journalist and author Gayle King at the age of 36.
The master nurse
Florence Nightingale, credited with modernizing the profession of nursing, is pictured here in 1920.
Family dinner
An American family enjoys dinner in 1954. These are some of the most important photos taken in every state.
By the lake
A group of friends enjoy swimming at a lake, circa 1903.
Always funny Ellen
Ellen DeGeneres in two separate photos here as a young girl.
Sam and Rick
Dooley Wilson as Sam and Humphrey Bogart as Rick Blaine in the 1942 film Casablanca. These are some of the most glamorous vintage photos of life in the 1950s.
Cybill Shepherd
A famous colorized shot of television and film actress Cybill Shepherd.
Cowboy in color
A classic cowboy, a symbol of the American frontier in 1887.
The Bush Family
The Bush family members from left to right: George W. Bush, George H.W. Bush, Neil, Marvin (being held by Barbara Bush), and Jeb, circa 1957.
Ms. Davis
Bette Davis—pictured here in 1938—was an American actress. She’s well known for her roles in Of Human Bondage, Dangerous, Jezebelle, Dark Victory, The Letter, and The Little Foxes.
The Beatles on Sullivan
The Beatles pose with Ed Sullivan after they performed on his show in 1964. This was their first performance in America.
The bar
Here’s what a neighborhood bar looked like in 1860.
Albert Einstein
A colorized photograph of the famous theoretical physicist, Albert Einstein in 1947. Einstein lived from 1879 to 1955.
5th Avenue
A bustling 5th Ave in New York City in 1913.
