Two Iconic Photos and the Heartbreaking Stories Behind Them

Backstories of these Famous Pictures

Image by lookstudio — on Freepik

The clock struck midnight on June 17, 1939.

And there was a sense of nervous anticipation outside a building in Versailles, France. The crowd, aware of the significance of the event about to take place, milled about.

Some were drinking to calm their nerves, while others remained respectfully subdued in anticipation.

Photo#1: The Last Spectacle of a Public Execution

As the hour grew later, the doors to the building opened.

A group of men dressed in dark uniforms emerged. They carried lumber and some tools. Without a word, they began constructing a strange wooden structure.

Their work drew the crowd closer to observe.

By 3 a.m., the structure was complete, and a large basket was placed beside the structure. The men then disappeared back into the building. They left the crowd in eager anticipation for what was yet to come.

But the wait was too long.

The crowd knew that this event couldn’t happen in daylight. If the sun was up, the press would be able to take pictures and film the event. But the officials had planned for the…