The Ten Most Iconic LIFE Magazine Photos

Published December 14, 2012
Updated January 22, 2018

Iconic LIFE Magazine Photos: Martin Luther King Jr.

Originally snapped in 1957 at one of the early Civil Rights rallies in Washington D.C., the photo would go on to become one of the most famous of the Reverend and one of the most recognizable photos of the Civil Rights Movement itself. Despite being taken nearly nine years earlier, the photo was not published until a week after King was assassinated in 1968.

Munich Massacre

On September 5, 1971 eleven Israeli athletes in Munich, Germany for the Summer Olympics were taken hostage by a group of Palestinian guerrillas. Eventually, all of the athletes would be executed, but not before this shot was taken of one of the perpetrators standing on a balcony. Despite showing only a single man in a mask, it offers a poignant view on such a dreadful event.

Man on the Moon

One of several photos taken from the 1969 Apollo 11 mission to the Moon, this particular one has served as an icon for various reasons throughout its history. While on one hand it exists as a symbol of victory for the United States over the Soviet Union in the space race, it also stands as a testament to the will of mankind.

LIFE Magazine Photos: The Fall of the Berlin Wall

This photo captures the moment in which a West Berliner is being struck with a water cannon while adamantly attacking the Berlin Wall with a sledgehammer. This image would go on to become one of the most iconic images from the Wall that demonstrated the end of oppression in Berlin and, to a greater extent, the eventual fall of the Soviet Union itself.

Reaching Out

Taken in 1966, “Reaching Out” shows Marine Gunnery Sgt. Jeremiah Purdie as he reached out to help a fellow soldier after a firefight in Vietnam. Considering the controversy surrounding the war then and now, the ability for one photograph to offer such a gruesome window into a deadly situation has made this one of the most iconic photos from the Vietnam War.

Enjoy these iconic LIFE magazine photos? Then head over to our other galleries of interesting pictures and famous influential photographs that changed the world!

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All That's Interesting
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Established in 2010, All That's Interesting brings together a dedicated staff of digital publishing veterans and subject-level experts in history, true crime, and science. From the lesser-known byways of human history to the uncharted corners of the world, we seek out stories that bring our past, present, and future to life. Privately-owned since its founding, All That's Interesting maintains a commitment to unbiased reporting while taking great care in fact-checking and research to ensure that we meet the highest standards of accuracy.
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Savannah Cox
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Savannah Cox holds a Master's in International Affairs from The New School as well as a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, and now serves as an Assistant Professor at the University of Sheffield. Her work as a writer has also appeared on DNAinfo.