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.

• Verifying Exact Identity — the past. When evaluating viral images of unusual signs or historical landmarks, verifying the exact identity of the subject is an important step.
• Establishing the As-Of Date — the past. Pinpointing the date a photograph was captured is critical to placing it in the correct historical context.
• Sourcing First-Party Records — the past. Relying on primary sources, such as government agencies or official archives, provides a solid foundation for any visual story.
• Independent Corroboration — the past. Cross-referencing an image with independent historical series helps verify geographic and contextual claims.

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