Elvis Twist: Historic Photos

Photographs capture a brief moment in time that can be looked back on decades later. Sometimes an image is so powerful it causes one to stop and reflect not only on the image itself, but of the historical context surrounded that image. It makes you think of the time period the picture was taken, the culture and environment surrounding the subject, and lets you imagine what life was like for those who have been immortalized on film.

historic-elvis 1958- Elvis Presley was one of the most well-known names in entertainment at the time of his draft into the army.

The day that he reported for duty was known as “black Monday” in the press. He served for two years before returning to his entertainment career.

historic-bookstore 1940- A person reads in front of a bookstore destroyed during a London air raid.

The London Blitz lasted from September 7th 1940 through May 21st 1941. More than 100 tonnes of explosives were dropped and London was attacked 71 separate times in the 37 week period.

historic-chaplin 1916- This picture depicts Charlie Chaplin at the age of 27 years old before he grew his iconic mustache.

historic-mchale 1947- Evelyn McHale jumps from 83rd story of Empire State Building and lands on a limousine in the street below.

McHale was 23 and stated in a note that she committed suicide because she didn’t feel she would make a good wife and had “too many of my mother’s tendencies.” She is often refered to as the “most beautiful suicide,” due to her serene and peaceful appearance.

historic-therock 1963- Alcatraz Island known as the "The Rock" is located 1.5 miles off shore in San Francisco Bay and was a federal prison from 1933 until 1963.