12 Checks for a Public-Record Visual Story

Inside this gallery: 12 historical photographs, each with the year, the place, and the story behind the picture.

• Exact Identity and Scope — the past. Identifying the precise subject of an archival photograph is the foundation of any visual investigation.
• The Current As-Of Date — the past. Archival reference pages and databases are periodically reviewed and updated.
• First-Party Official Records — the past. To build an evidence-first narrative, researchers can obtain visual media directly from official repositories like the National Archives.
• Independent Corroboration — the past. A single photograph is often best understood when cross-referenced with other historical records.

Tap any photo above to jump in, or view the full story below.