Captured History: 25 Years of Transformative Moments Through the Lens

It barely feels believable that we are already a quarter through the 21^st century. Yet, here we stand. It is safe to assert that the world is a significantly altered place compared to the year 2000 – as is the case with Amateur Photographer. 

At that time, the digital realm was vastly different, and there was no indication of social media platforms like Instagram emerging in the distance. Meanwhile, digital cameras were still developing, featuring quite basic technology and steep prices. 

Certainly, numerous political, social, and cultural incidents have influenced the world over the past 25 years as well. While it’s impossible to thoroughly address all of them in a single magazine article, I’ve chosen a selection of the major events that produced some notable and impactful photography here. 

What have been the remarkable moments for you? Don’t hesitate to share with us through platforms that didn’t even exist 25 years prior, like our social media accounts.

Marcy Borders by Stan Honda

11th September 2001

There are, naturally, countless iconic visuals from 9/11. This particular image made headlines across the globe, depicting office employee Marcy Borders seeking refuge in an office structure just after one of the towers fell. Marcy worked for Bank of America, in its branch located on the 81^st floor of the North Tower. Although she survived the assault, she mentioned she never fully recovered from the trauma. She passed away in 2015 due to cancer, which she believed was triggered by the toxic dust she inhaled when the building crumbled. 

Iraqis witness a statue of Saddam Hussein topple by Patrick Baz

9th April 2003

This colossal statue of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was toppled at al-Fardous (Paradise) square in Baghdad. It was brought down by Iraqi citizens, assisted by American troops during the invasion of Iraq. Images of the statue’s demise were extensively shared worldwide, with British journalist Robert Fisk calling it “the most staged photo opportunity since Iwo Jima” due to criticisms surrounding the exaggerated crowd size. 

Paul Dadge aids Davinia Turrell by Gareth Cattermole 

7^th July 2005

Just the day after celebrating the successful bid to host the 2012 Olympics, London was rattled by a series of blasts throughout the tube and bus system. Aside from the attackers, 52 lives were lost in the assault, and over 700 sustained injuries during the morning rush. This photo of Paul Dadge assisting Davinia Turrell to safety became representative of the public’s instinct to prioritize others and offer help in times of crisis. 

Barack Obama elected President by Ralf-Finn Hestoft

4th November, 2008 

In 2008, an atmosphere of optimism and celebration prevailed following Barack Obama’s election as President, marking him as the first African-American to hold the office in US history. He subsequently secured re-election in 2012. In this snapshot from Election Night 2008, Obama is seen with his wife Michele and their daughters Sasha and Malia. In 2017, Obama was succeeded by Donald Trump, who has notably encountered numerous controversies – and will resurface later in this feature.

Fatality of Osama Bin Laden by Pete Souza 

1^st May, 2011

This image captures President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and security team members receiving an update on the mission targeting Osama bin Laden in the Situation Room of the White House. Later that same day, Obama declared that the US had successfully eliminated Bin Laden in an operation directed by US Special Forces at a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Pete Souza served as the chief official White House photographer for both Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama, capturing many remarkable and unforgettable moments throughout their tenures. 

Usain Bolt by Ian MacNicol 

9^th August, 2012

The 2012 Olympics instilled a profound sense of national pride and accomplishment as it showcased Britain’s prowess as a sporting giant. The British athletes achieved many extraordinary feats, including an impressive performance from the cycling team. Usain Bolt, the Jamaican competitor, emerged as one of the highlights of the event as well. Here he is celebrated for winning gold in the Men’s 200m Final on Day 13 of the Games. Bolt remains the only sprinter to have claimed Olympic 100m and 200m titles at three consecutive Olympics (2008, 2012, and 2016). He holds a total of 8 Olympic gold medals and remains the world record holder in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay.

David Cameron Resigns by Anadolu 

24th June, 2016

The year 2016 was largely defined by the Brexit referendum – in many ways, the news agenda continues to be influenced by it even now. Prime Minister David Cameron campaigned on the “Remain” side – here he is submitting his resignation outside No. 10 on the morning following the vote, when the UK opted 52% to 48% to exit the European Union after 43 years of membership. 

Grenfell Tower by Carl Court 

14^th June, 2017

The Grenfell Tower disaster began on 14 June 2017, blazing for 60 hours. A total of 72 lives were lost, and over 70 individuals were injured, rendering it the deadliest residential fire the UK had experienced since the Blitz. More than 250 firefighters and 70 fire engines participated in efforts to extinguish the flames and rescue residents, while over 100 ambulance crews and at least 20 ambulances were deployed. Multiple investigations, along with a public inquiry, were conducted into the fire’s causes, leading to new regulations concerning the cladding used on high-rise buildings.

Notre Dame Fire by Geoffroy Van Der Hasselt

15^th April, 2019

Images of a fire engulfing the world-renowned and historic Notre Dame Cathedral sent shockwaves globally in 2019. By the time the blaze was fully extinguished, the cathedral’s wooden spire had fallen, and a majority of the wooden roof had been devastated. While damage to the interior was mitigated by the vaulted stone ceiling, many artworks and religious artifacts within suffered smoke damage. A five-year timeframe to restore the Cathedral was established on 17 April, two days after the fire, with plans for it to reopen to the public.on 7 December of this year. 

NHS England Launches Covid-19 Vaccination Initiative by Jacob King

8^th December, 2020

Undoubtedly, one of the most significant narratives of the past 25 years is the Covid pandemic. We hardly need to remind our audience of the destruction and terror it wreaked globally. Many impactful images were captured during the crisis; however, for a more hopeful selection, here’s Margaret Keenan, 90, the first individual globally to receive the Pfizer/BioNtech covid-19 vaccine in December 2020.

Trump Supporters Organize “Stop the Steal” Rally by Win McNamee

6^th January, 2021

Jacob Chansley’s visage (and headwear) became emblematic of Trump supporters after a mob breached the US Capitol during a joint session of Congress on 6 January, 2021. The session was convened to confirm President-elect Joe Biden’s victory over President Donald Trump. Pro-Trump demonstrators unlawfully entered the Capitol building following rallies in Washington DC. Chansley – also referred to as the QAnon Shaman – received a sentence of 41 months in prison, followed by 36 months of supervised release for his involvement in the Capitol storming. He was released on May 25, 2023. 

Ukraine-Russia Hostilities by Aris Messinis 

24^th February, 2022

The protracted conflict in Ukraine has persisted for nearly three years now. Beginning on 24 February 2022, Russian military forces invaded Ukraine from multiple fronts. As of 2024, Russian troops control around 20% of Ukraine, while over 8.2 million Ukrainians had fled the nation by April 2023. The conflict has resulted in hundreds of thousands of military deaths and tens of thousands of civilian fatalities, making it the deadliest confrontation in Europe since World War II. Here, Olena Kurylo, a 52-year-old educator, stands outside a hospital following the bombardment of the town of Chuguiv on 24 February. 

Palestinian-Israel Tensions by AFP

3^rd April, 2024

The ongoing conflict in Gaza has dominated the news cycle since October 2023. The extent of devastation is enormous. Here, a man maneuvering a bicycle while traversing the debris in the ruined vicinity around Gaza’s Al-Shifa hospital illustrates just how much has been lost. It is estimated that roughly 45,000 individuals in Gaza have perished in the conflict, including nearly 18,000 minors. 

Donald Trump’s Winning Address in Florida by Anadolu

6^th November, 2024

This year has been a turbulent one in US politics. With President Joe Biden exiting the 2024 race rather recently, it was difficult to anticipate the (re)emergence of popularity for former President Trump. It has been suggested that the assassination attempt in July bolstered his victory, with an iconic image of him rising post-shooting likely to be recorded in history. Ultimately, his triumph over rival Kamala Harris was substantial, who could have become the first female President of the United States had she prevailed. Since his electoral win, Trump has made some contentious appointments for his cabinet, and it remains to be seen how his next administration will unfold.

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