The 1910s were a time of extreme change, as the world balanced between everyday life and events that would shape history forever. Colorized photos from this period bring a new sense of clarity to moments that would otherwise feel completely distant, turning old scenes into something relatable. You can see the people and the surroundings in a way that makes it easier to connect with people back then.
As you look through these glimpses of life between 1914 and 1916, it becomes easier to imagine what daily routines looked like during such an important time. The details stand out in a new way, from busy streets to quiet moments in the trenches. These images remind us that even in times of change, life carried on in ways that still feel familiar today. Let’s dive into 20 colorized photos from the mid 1910s.
1. “Bread or Revolution” Ian Turner, member of the Industrial Workers of the World, at a rally in Union Square, New York City, 1914
2. Recruiting for World War 1, London, 1914
3. Playing a game of baseball at recess, 1914
4. A soldier, taking a nap in the trenches with his father, who came to visit him on the front line, 1914
5. Highland Territorials hunkering down in a trench, 1914
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6. Carrying a Christmas tree home to the family, 1914
7. Checking out a solar eclipse from the deck, 1914
8. The retreat of British Troops, Gallipoli, 1915
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9. A Father and son in the same regiment, reading a letter from their Wife/Mother, 1915
10. Kids hauling holly and mistletoe around the street in Britain just days before Christmas, 1915
11. Trying to collect lost belongings at the NYC subway lost and found, 1915
12. The Rutgers football team, 1915
13. A postman and his “Flying Merkel,” 1915
14. The May Day Garden Party, Washington DC, 1915
15. One lucky soldier on the Somme Front, 1916
16. Taking a peek to see if it’s safe, the Battle of the Somme, 1916
17. Keeping watch while his comrades rest, 1916
18. The Flatiron Building, 1916
19. A field of forty tanks, “Like a flock of sheep browsing,” Bethune, France, 1916
20. American soldiers, 16th Infantry, around the campfire, Chihuahua, Mexico, 1916
Want to see more colorized photos?
Check out 15 Colorized Photos of Diners and Bakeries from the Past, or take a look at 24 Colorized Photos That Reveal What Life Was Like In The Late 1930s. Finally, if you want to see colorized photos from 1899, check out 26 Colorized Vintage Photos From 1899.
