Beautiful Photos of Life in Rural Cuba in the Mid-1950s

In the mid-1950s, life in rural Cuba was marked by simplicity, hard work, and deep ties to the land. Most countryside residents were farmers or agricultural laborers, working on sugarcane, tobacco, or coffee plantations—industries that dominated the Cuban economy.

Despite the island’s glamorous image in Havana, rural areas often lacked access to electricity, healthcare, and education. Many families lived in modest wooden homes, relying on traditional farming methods and close-knit community life. Daily routines were shaped by the seasons, harvest cycles, and local customs.

While rural Cuba was rich in culture and resilience, poverty and inequality were widespread, contributing to the social tensions that helped fuel the Cuban Revolution just a few years later. These beautiful photos by Orpha Leatherman offer a rare glimpse into rural Cuban life in the mid-1950s.

Boy and woman drawing water from well, Cuba, circa mid-1950s

Children and pigs, Cuba, circa mid-1950s

Cuban children seated outdoors, Cuba, circa mid-1950s

A typical Cuban school, Cuba, circa mid-1950s

Caritas in Rancho Veloz, Cuba, circa mid-1950s

See more»

20 Wonderful Color Photos of Olivia de Havilland in the Mid-20th Century

Olivia de Havilland (1916–2020) was a celebrated British-American actress whose career spanned over five decades, establishing her as one of the leading stars of Hollywood’s Golden Age.

Born in Tokyo, Japan, on July 1, 1916, to British parents, Olivia Mary de Havilland was the elder sister of actress Joan Fontaine, with whom she had a famously tumultuous relationship. Her family moved to California when she was young. De Havilland’s early talent for acting was evident in school plays, leading to a role in Max Reinhardt’s stage production of A Midsummer Night's Dream (1934) and subsequently, the 1935 film adaptation, marking her screen debut.

She quickly rose to prominence at Warner Bros., often paired with Errol Flynn in swashbuckling adventures like Captain Blood (1935) and The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938), establishing them as a beloved on-screen duo. However, it was her iconic portrayal of the gentle and unwavering Melanie Hamilton Wilkes in Gone with the Wind (1939) that earned her widespread recognition and her first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

Frustrated with the limited ingénue roles offered by her studio contract, de Havilland famously sued Warner Bros. in 1943. Her landmark victory in 1945, known as the “de Havilland Law,” significantly weakened the studio system’s restrictive contract practices, granting actors greater freedom.

After her legal battle, she took on more challenging and dramatic roles, earning two Academy Awards for Best Actress: for her performance as an unwed mother in To Each His Own (1946) and for her nuanced portrayal of a shy heiress in The Heiress (1949). She also received critical acclaim for her role in The Snake Pit (1948), which bravely explored mental illness.

De Havilland continued to act in films and television throughout her later years, with notable appearances including Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte (1964) and the miniseries Anastasia: The Mystery of Anna (1986), for which she won a Golden Globe.

She resided in Paris, France, from the 1950s onward. Throughout her life, de Havilland received numerous accolades, including the National Medal of Arts, the Légion d’honneur, and was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire at the age of 101.

Olivia de Havilland passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home in Paris on July 26, 2020, at the age of 104, leaving behind a remarkable legacy as a talented actress and a courageous figure who fought for artistic freedom in Hollywood.

See more»

Iconic Photographs of Debbie Harry Performing With Blondie at Le Stadium in Paris, 1978

Debbie Harry performed with Blondie at Le Stadium in Paris in 1978 during the band’s rise to international fame. This performance was part of Blondie’s European tour in support of their Plastic Letters album, released in early 1978. At the time, Blondie was gaining major traction in Europe—particularly in the UK and France—before fully breaking through in the U.S. with Parallel Lines later that year.

Debbie Harry, already becoming a fashion and punk icon, appeared on stage in her signature look: bleach-blonde hair, striking makeup, and edgy, glam-punk outfits. Photographs from this specific performance in Paris by photographers like Christian Rose and Jean Louis Rancure showing Harry in her iconic style, which was already establishing her as a punk and new wave icon.

See more»

30 Stunning Photos of Tina Aumont in the 1960s

Tina Aumont (1946–2006) was a French-American actress known for her striking beauty and enigmatic screen presence. The daughter of actors Maria Montez and Jean-Pierre Aumont, she grew up around cinema and began acting in the early 1960s.

Aumont became a cult figure in European cinema, especially in Italian and French films. She starred in a wide range of productions—from spaghetti westerns to avant-garde dramas—working with notable directors like Federico Fellini, Tinto Brass, and Joseph Losey. Her most recognized films include Texas Across the River (1966), Fellini’s Casanova (1976), and Salon Kitty (1976).

With her distinctive looks, bohemian spirit, and fearless roles, Aumont left a lasting impression as one of the most fascinating screen presences of her era. Take a look at these stunning photos to see the beauty of a young Tina Aumont in the 1960s.

See more»

20 Photographs of Princess Diana as a 19-Year-Old Kindergarten Teacher in 1980

Princess Diana had a brief career working at Young England Kindergarten, in Pimlico, London, before she became a royal. However, it was short lived as she had to give up her job on marrying Prince Charles aged 20, in July, 1981.

In 1978, Diana returned to London from Switzerland, where she had been attending a finishing school, and took a number of low-paid jobs, including a playgroup pre-school assistant and as a nanny for an American family, the Robertsons, living in the city.

She then landed the role of a nursery teacher’s assistant at Young England Kindergarten and was working there when she first started dating Prince Charles in 1980 when she was 19 years old. The pair married the following year in 1981 and officially a royal, Diana wasn’t allowed to keep a regular job.

Young England Kindergarten is based in St George’s Square in Pimlico, located in South West London. The nursery references the time Diana worked there on its official website. “Some may recall the name of this nursery as the place where Princess Diana was working when she was engaged to Prince Charles, but many know Young England Kindergarten (YEK) as the nursery that’s all on one level, the children play in the very large communal gardens next door and also have access to their own private outside space,” it reads.

See more»

Portraits of Florence Ballard, a Founding Member of the Iconic Motown Vocal Female Group The Supremes

Florence Glenda Ballard (June 30, 1943 – February 22, 1976) was an American singer and a founding member of the iconic Motown vocal female group, The Supremes. Born in Detroit, Michigan, she was known for her powerful voice and was affectionately called “Flo” or “Blondie.”

Ballard’s musical journey began early, and she co-founded The Primettes, which later became The Supremes, with Mary Wilson and Diana Ross. The group signed with Motown Records in 1961 and went on to achieve immense success, with Ballard contributing to 16 Top 40 singles, including ten number-one hits.

However, Ballard’s tenure with The Supremes was marked by increasing tensions, particularly as Motown began to focus more on Diana Ross as the lead singer. This led to her departure from the group in 1967. After leaving The Supremes, Ballard attempted a solo career with ABC Records, releasing a couple of singles, but they did not achieve commercial success.

In the years following, Ballard faced significant personal struggles, including financial difficulties and health issues. She died of a coronary artery thrombosis on February 22, 1976, at the age of 32. Her death is often cited as one of rock music's great tragedies. Despite her short life, Florence Ballard’s legacy as a vital part of The Supremes and her powerful vocal talent continue to be recognized.

See more»

Peel Trident: The Tiny Car With a Space-Age Dream

The Peel Trident is a microcar produced by the Peel Engineering Company on the Isle of Man between 1965 and 1966. As one of the smallest cars ever made, it was designed for urban convenience, boasting a futuristic, almost toy-like appearance with its clear bubble dome roof, compact body, and seating for two (or one adult and a child).

Measuring just 72 inches (183 cm) long and 39 inches (99 cm) wide, and weighing around 330 pounds (150 kg), the Trident was powered by a tiny 49cc engine that gave it a top speed of roughly 28 mph (45 km/h). It was marketed with quirky slogans like “the terrestrial flying saucer” and targeted at city dwellers needing efficient, ultra-compact transportation.

Though only about 45 units were ever produced, the Peel Trident has become an icon of 1960s automotive eccentricity. Its unique design, collectability, and status as one of the world’s smallest cars have made it a cult favorite among microcar enthusiasts and vintage vehicle collectors.

See more»