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Vintage Photos

20 Photos That Perfectly Capture Life in 1917

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Historical black-and-white photos: Left, a smiling soldier with a bandaged head holds up a helmet; right, a woman in early 1900s dress holds an American flag and a broom, looking at the camera.

The year 1917 was a significant year in history. The First World War was reshaping nations, new technologies were beginning to influence everyday life, and society itself was changing in ways that would have lasting effects for decades. Photographs from this era do more than record events; they capture small, fleeting details of how people lived during that time.

Some of the images from this year show soldiers preparing for an uncertain future, while others focus on families and daily routines that carried on despite the turmoil. Together, these glimpses remind us that history is not only about famous leaders or battles but also about ordinary people navigating extraordinary times. Let’s dive into 20 photos that capture life in 1917.

1. An Allied soldier bandages the paw of a Red Cross working dog, 1917

A soldier crouches beside a dog wearing a medical vest with a red cross symbol, handing the dog a piece of paper outside a rough stone building with an open door and a small window.
reporter_at_large/via reddit.com

2. Temperatures dropped so low in Detroit that this fountain froze, 1917

A towering ice sculpture resembling a frozen fountain stands in a snowy city park, with people in winter clothing walking nearby and buildings visible in the background.
onepersononeidea/via reddit.com

3. Five U.S. Army officers on active service in Egypt, 1917

A vintage photo shows four people on camels and two standing figures in front of the Great Sphinx and pyramids of Giza in Egypt, all dressed in early 20th-century attire.
userdeleted/via reddit.com

4. A soldier in 1917, his helmet saved him from shrapnel

A smiling World War I soldier with a bandaged head raises his helmet in one hand and holds a rifle in the other, standing outdoors with a backpack and gear.
ranawatduke/via reddit.com

5. A British soldier kissing a French farm girl under mistletoe, 1917

A man in a fur vest and helmet kisses a smiling woman in a blue coat on the cheek while holding mistletoe above her head. They stand outside in a snowy setting with a blurred building in the background.
da-ricelord/via reddit.com

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6. An injured soldier from the “Harlem Hellfighters” returns home to a welcoming crowd, 1917

A Black World War I soldier on crutches greets a woman in a crowd during a parade on a city street. Onlookers in winter clothing watch the interaction, with buildings and flags in the background.
theafternoonstandard/via reddit.com

7. I bet you’ve never seen a woman riding an ostrich, 1917

A woman in early 20th-century clothing and a hat is sitting on the back of a large ostrich outdoors, with trees and a fence in the background.
prometeo123321/via reddit.com

8. Silent film actress Bessie Love, 1917

A young woman with wavy hair sits barefoot on a large rock outdoors, wearing overalls and looking toward the camera with a slight smile. The background is blurred with natural foliage.
25qs2/via reddit.com

9. A young soldier spending time with his mother before departing for WWI, 1917

A young man in a vintage military uniform sits beside an older woman in a white dress on ornate chairs; the woman looks at him while he faces forward with a serious expression.
puzzleheaded_dot4345/via reddit.com

10. A mail deliveryman in France during the war, 1917

A French mailman in uniform and helmet delivers letters in a war-torn town; he reads a letter, walks down a cobbled street, and stands by a damaged wall with posters.
userdeleted/via reddit.com

11. WWI soldier “Big Nims” of the 3rd Battalion, 1917

A Black World War I soldier in uniform laughs heartily while holding a gas mask, seated outdoors with a blurred background of equipment and tents.
oldsoul8789/via reddit.com

12. A Suffragette posing with an American flag attached to a broom handle, 1917

Black-and-white photo of a woman standing with an American flag over her shoulder and holding a broom, dressed in early 20th-century clothing, looking toward the camera with a neutral expression.
userdeleted/via reddit.com

13. A crowd gathering as a German Zeppelin crashes in France, 1917

A large early airship rests in a clearing surrounded by trees, with several people in old-fashioned clothing gathered nearby on a dirt road and grassy area, observing the scene.
palana/via reddit.com

14. A British soldier shaking hands with a kitten in the snow, 1917

A soldier wearing a helmet lies in the snow, reaching out to feed a small cat. Snow covers the ground and trees, creating a wintry scene in the background.

15. A living U.S. flag, formed by 10,000 Navy Sailors in Illinois, 1917

A large group of people dressed in uniforms arrange themselves to form the shape and pattern of the United States flag on a grassy field, with buildings visible in the background.
quick_presentation11/via reddit.com

16. “My grandfather in his brand-new 1917 Ford.”

A black-and-white photo of a person sitting in an old-fashioned car parked on grass; a dog sits beside them. A wooden barn and a hillside with trees appear in the background.
mks113/via reddit.com

17. Tsar Nicholas and Tsarevich Alexei, while under house arrest in 1917

Two men in heavy coats and fur hats use a large handsaw to cut wood outdoors in a snowy area, with a wooden building and stacked logs in the background.
userdeleted/via reddit.com

18. Sporting her new motorcycle in 1917

A woman wearing a wide-brimmed hat and long skirt rides an early motorcycle on a paved road, with a park and statue visible in the background. The image appears to be from the early 20th century.
michaelconfoy/via reddit.com

19. Stubby, the most decorated dog in military history, made sergeant, 1917

A black and white photo of a dog standing on grass, wearing a decorated jacket covered with medals, patches, and pins; trees are blurred in the background.
goodjuju33/via reddit.com

20. The beautiful Oasis in Giza, 1917

A man in traditional clothing stands beside a camel near a reflective body of water, with palm trees, houses, and the Great Pyramid of Giza visible in the background.
lividlychimlal07/via reddit.com

Want to see more content from the early 1900s?

Check out 20 Historical Mugshots from the Early 1900s, or take a look at 20 Colorized Street Scenes from the Early 1900s. Finally, if you want to see photos from the first decade of the 1900s, check out 20 Colorized Photos from the First Decade of the 20th Century (1900-1910).

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Meet the Writer


Patrick Nichols

Patrick is a writer based in upstate New York, where he grew up and still calls home. Over the past year, he’s been diving deep into storytelling, especially tales rooted in history, the Wild West, lost treasures, and ancient artifacts. He’s also drawn to unsolved mysteries and whatever the internet can’t stop talking about.

Whether it’s a centuries-old legend or a bizarre internet rabbit hole, Patrick is always chasing the threads of a compelling story. When he’s not chasing stories, Pat’s probably hiking mountain trails with his dog, exploring new corners of the U.S., or doom-scrolling between hangouts with friends and family. He finds inspiration in nature, forgotten places, and random conversations—anything that sparks curiosity. Whether it’s city streets or backcountry paths, Patrick’s always on the lookout for the next great story.



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