The Most Memorable Photographs

Nguyen Van Lem - Eddie Adams

February 1, 1968
NBC | Saigon, Viet Nam
Seeing a man summarily shot in the head at point blank range, even if he is a member of the Viet Cong, brought much anger toward the war in Viet Nam. If General Nguyen Ngoc Loan, without any moral conscience, can just shoot a prisoner of war, and he represents the good guys (the ones the Americans were helping), then what makes him any different than the Viet Cong? And if there is no difference, why have American soldiers died there?

The photo itself is no better than a snuff film and instantly brings forth shock and disgust. What makes a man so easily execute another man and feel justified in doing so is beyond most people's comprehension especially when there was no need for it.

Omayra Sanchez - Frank Fournier

November 1985
Armero, Colombia
After the Nevado del Ruiz volcano erupted in Columbia, Omaya Sanchez (12 or 13 years of age) was trapped (her legs were caught in the concrete structure of her house) for three days before she died. As you see in the photograph, taken shortly before her death, she was mostly underwater. Her hands had turned white and her eyes had glossed over. It is a difficult picture to look at knowing the fate of the girl.

Tank Man/Unknown Rebel - Jeff Widener

June 5, 1989
Associated Press | Tiananmen Square, Beijing, China
The greatest photo of disobedience was an unknown protester in the Tiananmen Square massacre of 1989. Students, intellectuals and labour activists took to the Beijing locale (and other places around the country) to protest the communist government's oppressive policies. The government invoked martial law and sent tanks into the square to disperse the protesters. Many were killed and the world condemned the actions of the Chinese government.

It's hard not to feel very proud of the man who stood down the oncoming tanks that would easily obliterate him, all for the cause of freedom. The fate of the man is unknown as he was pulled into the crowd after halting the tanks.

Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima - Joe Rosenthal

February 23, 1945
Associated Press | Mount Suribachi, Iwo Jima Island
Probably the most recognized photograph of the American military by civilians is this photograph by Joe Rosenthal. It captures five marines and one navy corpsman raising the American flag atop Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima.

Although the story behind the raising isn't as inspiring (it was a replacement flag) the photo itself brings forth thoughts of untiring courage and steadfast victory. When Americans feel a pride for their country, this image is one that automatically comes to their mind.

Lunchtime atop a Skyscraper - Charles C. Ebbets Photograph)

Satar Jabar

Abu Ghraib prison
This photo has become synonymous with American injustice around the world and how hypocritical the American government is when torture is discussed. The photo itself brings up uncomfortable feelings both personally and politically. Personally, in that if you picture yourself in Satar Jabar's place, you become understandably anxious. Politically, by realizing that if the Americans begin to treat people this way how can they justifiably call themselves a defender of all things free.

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