40 Photos That Show the Way We Were in the Forties

History March 21, 2025

The 1940s was a significant decade throughout history that was defined by numerous instances of impressive resilience and massive cultural change that was no doubt spurred by World War II, as well as its subsequent aftermath. We’ll take a broader look at 40 photos that can capture the ways in which people lived, worked, and endured during one of the most challenging decades in history.

1. A woman steps away from her work in the railroad yard in the 1940s.

A person wearing a red bandana and dark blue overalls leans against a large train wheel. They hold an oil can and cleaning cloth, suggesting maintenance work on a locomotive. The scene evokes a vintage, industrial setting.
redditelectricalaspect13

Out there looking tough as nails.

2. Had to keep fueled up during those long and unforgiving shifts.

A group of women in work overalls and colorful headscarves sit at a long table, enjoying a meal. They have lunchboxes and thermoses in front of them. The setting has a clock on the wall and looks like an industrial break room.
redditculturalaspedt13

Those lunch breaks were probably looked forward to all day.

3. Wouldn’t want to slip while up there. That’s for sure.

Three workers in overalls and hats perform maintenance on a large steam locomotive. Two stand on the side, one on top. The sky is clear with a few clouds, and an electrical pole is visible in the background.
redditelectricaspect13

Those had to have been grueling shifts, to say the very least.

4. Someone’s grandmother out in Texas in the early 1940s.

A woman with dark hair and a neutral expression wears a white "Camp Bowie U.S. Signal Corps Texas" T-shirt. She is seated against a curtain background, wearing small earrings and a pendant necklace. The photo is in black and white.
redditanonymous

Texas forever.

5. Someone’s Great-Grandparents’ Wedding, during the early 1940s

A sepia-toned photo of a smiling bride and groom. The bride holds a large bouquet of flowers and wears a veil. The groom is in a military uniform with insignias. Both appear joyful and are facing the camera.
redditdoleusdewberry

Nothing quite like young love.

6. The pink is simply electric.

A woman in a bright pink suit and white heels stands on a paved path in front of a railing, holding a small white purse. Behind her is a scenic view of a river and lush greenery. She is smiling at the camera.
redditelectricalaspect13

That’s a head-turning pink right there. That’s for certain.

7. Someone’s grandma all ready to head out on a date with a random lad

A black and white photo of a woman and man standing in front of an old car. The woman is wearing a dress with her arms crossed, and the man is in a striped shirt with his hand on his hip. They are in front of a wooden house.
redditaborland30

They got all dressed up for their big date.

8. A big smile for the photographer from this smartly dressed woman

A woman wearing a knee-length black dress and high heels sits on wooden steps, smiling at the camera. She has curly hair and is wearing a necklace. The background shows a white house with pillars. The photo has a vintage look.
redditmydoggoldie

Looking sharp, indeed.

9. Just a couple of ridiculously attractive grandparents sitting for a portrait in the early 1940s

A black and white vintage photo of a smiling couple. The woman has curly hair and is wearing a blouse, while the man is in a naval uniform with an emblem on the sleeve and a sailor hat. They are posed close together, looking at the camera.
redditdeleted

You’ve got to love the genuine look of love in their eyes.

10. A nice shot of a sunny day in Florida in the 1940s

A woman in a striped dress holds a large bouquet of pink gladiolus flowers, standing in a field under a blue sky with clouds. She has curly hair adorned with a white flower and is smiling while looking to the side.
redditelectricalaspect13

Sweet, sunny days in Florida really are something magical.

11. Young couples get their photo taken in a professional studio, circa 1940s.

A man and a woman pose together in a vintage black-and-white photo. The man wears a suit and tie, and the woman is in a dress with a decorative hat and gloves. They are seated next to each other, holding hands, with a plain backdrop behind them.
redditelectricalaspect13

Of course they had to get all dressed up for the professional studio picture.

12. Someone’s great aunt and her special friend out in 1940s Nashville

Two women smiling and sitting on the hood of a vintage car on a street. One wears a dark patterned dress, the other a white blouse and pants. A building with a sign is visible in the background.
redditstudlytimeblue

They’re clearly having more fun than the rest of us.

13. Grocery shopping in the 1940s

A woman and a young girl in a vintage grocery store. The woman is placing boxed goods into a shopping cart filled with various items. The girl stands next to the cart, holding onto a handle. Shelves stocked with products are visible in the background.
reddithooverpaul

The prices on those groceries had to have been more agreeable.

14. A young couple starting out in the 1940s

A couple stands close together outside a wooden building. The man wears a hat and white shirt, with his arm around the woman, who is in a patterned dress. Trees and a path are visible in the background. The image has a vintage feel.
redditnickelplatedemporer

They were just beginning their journey together.

15. Now that’s some young love right there

A man in a military uniform and a woman with red hair and a floral headband sit together on a bench in a park, surrounded by yellow flowers. They are looking at each other, smiling. It's a sunny day with trees in the background.
redditelectricalaspect13

All these images of young love blossoming during a decade that was touched by some serious wartime.

16. Someone’s grandparents on their wedding day in the 1940s

Four people stand together indoors in a vintage black-and-white photo. A couple on the right is dressed in wedding attire, the bride wearing a floral headpiece. The two individuals on the left are in suits and glasses, standing closely beside each other.
redditsqueakysnapdragon

Everyone is looking stoked.

17. Two friends pose over the grass of their local park

Two women sit on the grass, enjoying a sunny day. One wears a red and white swimsuit with a matching headscarf, while the other is in a white dress with red accents. Trees and people relaxing outside are visible in the background.
redditelectricalaspet13

The parks of the olden days had to have been something special.

18. Someone’s parents in the mid-1940s

A man and woman sit at a restaurant table with plates of food and drinks. The woman wears a dark dress, and the man wears a suit and glasses. The background has a mural and empty tables with white tablecloths.
redditmargivh

Looking smartly dressed indeed there, folks.

19. Children car seats in the 1940s were a trip

A woman sits in the driver's seat of a vintage car, focused on driving. Beside her, a baby wearing a dress and booties is seated on a car seat, chewing on an object, with legs stretched out. The car door is open, and trees are visible outside.

The car seats of the olden days were a terrifying sight to behold.

20. Young couple living the American dream, Oregon, 1940s

A smiling couple poses in front of a vintage car at a gas station. The man is wearing a T-shirt and jeans, while the woman wears a dress and headscarf. A large billboard for Atlas Tires with the slogan "They go on and on" is visible in the background.
redditquickpresentation11

Had to break out the white tee and jeans. There just wasn’t any other way to go about it.

21. Ladies in print dresses in the 1940’s

Two women stand arm in arm on a snow-dusted path in a park. Both wear vintage floral dresses; the woman on the left is younger with short curly hair, while the older woman on the right has glasses and a similar hairstyle. Trees and a house are visible in the background.
redditshenanigans

The print dresses of the forties were something special.

22. Someone’s grandma and great-grandpa at their home in San Francisco circa the 1940s

A vintage black and white photo shows a young girl in a dress and sunglasses standing on stairs, looking at a man in a suit and hat beside her. They appear to be outside a building with a textured wall and brick steps.
redditdeleted

Aw, look at her go.

23. Walking up a street in the mill district in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in January 1940

A person in a blue coat and hat walks down a slushy, muddy road in an industrial area. Smoke rises from factory chimneys in the background, and trees with bare branches line the street. Houses and utility poles flank the scene.
redditjocke75

What a stunning shot.

24. Herkimer Street, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York (1940s)

Four young children happily ride tricycles down a city sidewalk in a black-and-white photo. They are dressed in coats, and vintage cars line the street beside them.
redditsystepup

What a crew.

25. A couple dancing in a London bar in the 1940s.

A black-and-white photo of a man and woman dancing closely in a crowded room. The man, wearing a suit, smiles as he looks at the woman, who is wearing a patterned dress. Other people are visible in the background, engaged in conversation and dancing.
redditdeleted

Those London bars can make for quite a great time, indeed.

26. Someone’s grandfather looking quite fly in the 1940s

A man in a vintage suit holds a pair of skis over his shoulder. He gazes into the distance with a serious expression. Snowy landscape and trees are visible in the background. The photo is in black and white.
redditobiwanjabronie90

So, someone’s grandpa was an undeniable stud.

27. A young lady in, presumably, her boyfriend’s ROTC uniform (1940s)

A person in an old-fashioned military uniform and hat stands on a rustic wooden bridge, smiling. They hold a sword, and a scenic backdrop of trees, a river, and a house in the distance is visible. The photo is sepia-toned.
redditaidansign

She looks thrilled.

28. Stylin’ kids with the family car, Canada, 1940s

Three children stand in front of an old car. The boy on the left wears a jacket and jeans, the girl in the middle wears a dress and sweater, and the boy on the right wears a patterned shirt and pants. The scene is in black and white.
redditjustkeepreading

Oh yeah, they’re definitely styling.

29. Dad showing off his skill to the surprise of his little daughter in Melbourne, Australia, in the 1940s

A man performs a one-handed handstand on parallel bars outdoors. A young girl, wearing a dress with a bow in her hair, watches in amazement. The background includes trees and grass, suggesting a park setting.
reddittheyshouldveletgo

Dad definitely has some mad skills.

30. Drive-in car-hops in shorts and cowboy boots in the 1940s

Two men in shorts and boots serve bottled drinks at a car. One leans on the car smiling, while the other stands holding a tray. A woman inside the car and three women in the background watch them. The scene appears to be from a past era.
redditspicerdln

What an outfit.

31. A sailor meets his baby for the first time after fourteen months at sea, in the 1940s.

A sailor in uniform kisses a woman wearing a coat, with their child smiling and hanging from the sailor's arm. They stand in what appears to be a dockyard setting, with cranes visible in the background.
redditanyold

That poor baby though.

32. NYC lunch counter, in the 1940s

Black and white image of people seated at a diner counter. They are eating and drinking while looking at menus above. The decor appears vintage, with visible prices on menu signs. The patrons are wearing hats and coats.
redditquickpresentation11

The New York City lunch counters brought all kinds of people together.

33. Children on the streets of New York

Children play on a city sidewalk. One rides a tricycle through a wooden frame, while others engage with toys and chalk. A grocery store and laundry store are in the background. Pedestrians walk by, observing the scene.
redditsoldsoul190

Those kids were clearly having a great time.

34. American suburbs in the 1940s

Black and white photo of a group of eight people posing in front of a vintage car. They're lined up on the sidewalk beside a tree-lined street with houses in the background. A child sits on the grass in the foreground, facing away.
redditlatesforall

Looks like a quiet day to be hanging out in the suburbs.

35. Harlem in the 1940s

Black-and-white photo of a bustling street with historic theaters. Signs read “Loves of Carmen” and “Collegians” above entrances. A Cotton Club sign points to its entrance. Pedestrians walk along the sidewalk. Early 20th-century urban atmosphere.
redditfrappehappyhour

What an aesthetically pleasing shot.

36. Someone’s mother and her cat, late 1940s, Oregon

A young girl with short hair smiles, seated on a wooden bench, gently resting her hand on a black cat lying beside her. She is wearing a dark-colored, short-sleeved outfit. The background features a scenic view of hills.
redditheytime12

That cat looks like a happy young pal, indeed.

37. High School students crossing the street in Phoenix, Arizona

A vintage takeout stand named "Nifty Nook" with a Coca-Cola sign and "Hamburgers" banner. People are gathered around the entrance, and a few are seated on stools at the counter. A couple of parked cars are visible in the background.
redditjocke75

You already know that those burgers were probably a great deal.

38. Clearwater Beach, Florida, in the late 1940s

A sandy beach scene with vintage cars and trailers parked under palm trees. The ocean is visible in the background, with a clear blue sky and some clouds. The setting is tropical and peaceful.
redditgator01

Looks to be another paradisal day at the beach out in Florida.

39. An automat in the 1940s

A vintage cafeteria scene with people selecting food from a wall of compartments labeled "Cakes," "Pies," and "Sandwiches." The crowd consists of men and women dressed in mid-20th-century attire.
redditautomattime

The lines that could gather at those automats were booming to say the least.

40. Sponge diver putting on his diving suit in Tarpon Springs, Florida circa 1940s

A person wearing an old-fashioned diving suit stands on a wooden boat deck. They're holding a rope, with the ocean and blue sky in the background. Fishing nets and gear are visible around them.
redditwatsinpresh

What a legend.

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