AncientFaces Community Blog: What we're talking about

In memory of those who paid the ultimate price to preserve and protect the United States of America: Memorial Day began as "Decoration Day," and was established in 1868 to memorialize those that had lost their lives in the United States Civil War. The name was changed to Memorial Day and now we honor all of those killed in military action. While many celebrate Memorial Day with barbecues and picnics, let's remember to keep at front of mind those who have kept us safe and free. These images from the Civil War through the Vietnam War show just a few of those killed in action. Take a moment to honor your military heroes by sharing their stories to show the world that they are still remembered.

Welcome to AncientFaces! A 100% free community where we remember people from our past. At AncientFaces, we believe in the power of remembering together. Through Collaborative Biographies we connect with others who know the person, and discover more together. As you participate in the AncientFaces community, we invite you to familiarize yourself with our Community Standards. These guidelines are in place to ensure that AncientFaces remains a safe and respectful place for everyone, worthy of preserving the memories of the people we remember.

AncientFaces is a 100% free and family-friendly memories community - a place we remember and share about the important moments and people from our lives. By sharing our memories, family stories, and information we uncover while digging for our roots, we unlock meaningful connections with others today, and the possibilities of new discoveries tomorrow. See first hand the power of sharing and what you can discover about a sibling, spouse, grandparent, friend, coworker, or ancestor...

This photo of a former member of the Hitler Youth - Hitlerjugend - being sentenced for espionage in 1945, has made waves online over the years. It shows 16 year old Karl Arno Punzeller, a leader in the Hitler Youth organization, listening as he is told that his death sentence has been commuted to life imprisonment. Karl had been reporting American troop movements to the Nazis and a German court had convicted him of espionage, giving him the death sentence. The photo and the story behind it is sad, while also interesting. See some of the propaganda - from both sides - that dominated during World War 2. It's no wonder that people had very strong opinions and feelings that their side was right.

From World War 2 through the declaration of peace and into the birth of the Baby Boomers, life in the 1940's wasn't easy. But our parents and grandparents lived their lives with courage, honor, and great optimism about the future. The war and the Great Depression was over, the Dust Bowl was gone - almost 20 years of tough challenges - and life was good again. These are some of the many 1940s photos that shows what the previous generations lived through, and what they did to thrive.

Some love winter because of the many holidays (Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Ramadan, New Year's Eve . . . the list goes on), and for some it's the cold, wet, snowy, and rainy weather they enjoy. For others, it's the possible sports - skiing, ice skating, playing in the snow, and sledding - that brighten up those frigid winter months. This collection of photos shows our ancestors enjoyed their winters whether bundled up in warm clothes, playing in the snow as a family, or skating around the park. Get a glimpse into what winter wonderlands looked like from the past.

"Men, their rights, and nothing more; women, their rights, and nothing less." - Susan B. Anthony Throughout the late 1800's and the early 1900's, women all over the world lobbied for their rights. The right to vote wasn't given to women in the U.S. until 1920. These photos capture many of the struggles of those women fighting for civil rights.

Fathers love us, support us, and protect us. They are pillars in the development of a child's emotional well-being, and teach us how to love and how to make our way in the world. As much as mothers, they are indispensable to our growth and success, and provide a feeling of security, both physical and emotional. This collection of photos of fathers with their children capture some of the more precious moments in life, and offer brief glimpses into the bond between father and child.

"Thank you for helping me find my family & friends again so many years after I lost them. I get the chance to remember them all this time later." Highlights of just a few of the many successes of sharing memories within the AncientFaces Community. From reuniting Lost & Found or 'orphan' photos with their families, seeing faces of relatives for the first time, to the many connections made with family & friends, and the profound discoveries about our loved ones and ancestors. Special moments like these are why it's important we share.

With Germany's invasion of Poland on September 1st, 1939 World War 2 began. The United States didn't enter the war until 1941 when Germany's ally Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. The war was challenging not only on the military, but also for civilians. Incessant bombing of cities like The Blitz on London and other cities in Great Britain lasted around 8 months, every night, all night long. Rationing of foodstuffs and other goods needed for the war effort, victory gardens, nights spent in the Tube, blackouts, and sending your children to the countryside for safety. By 1944, the need to end the many years' long war became desperate. And so came D-day in 1944 - a plan to reclaim occupied ally France from the Nazis and to gain a platform from which to invade, and destroy, Nazism in Germany.

This home movie below is of a neighborhood 4th of July celebration in Rockaway Beach, MD that could have been taken anywhere in the U.S. in the 1950s. Decorated bikes and trikes, lots of balloons and flags, parents goofing off (remember the Conga line?), kids playing baseball... Movie cameras were new technology in most homes and there was no better time to show off for the camera than the 4th of July. If you're a Boomer, enjoy this video of your childhood. If you're not, you'll see your parents, grandparents, and great grandparents having fun. (Without sound - there was no sound with old movie cameras. The music has been added recently to this video.)

While called the Spanish flu because Spain was where the first outbreak was reported, one current suspicion is that the origin was in China - or maybe even France - but no one knows for sure. Since World War 1 was still being fought there was a blackout on news in many locations. Wherever it originated, it exploded in the European theater where soldiers were in close proximity and quickly spread to other parts of the world. Just as World War 1 was ending in 1918, a new even more devastating killer emerged. While these are photos are of a pandemic 100 years ago, change the fashion and a few details, and you will see many familiar sights.