35 Black and White Photos of the 1938 Los Angeles Flood

The Los Angeles flood of 1938 was responsible for inundating much of Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside counties, California during February and March 1938. The flood was caused by a pair of Pacific storms that swept inland across the Los Angeles Basin, causing abnormally high rainfall across much of coastal Southern California. Rivers overflowed and dozens of people were killed. Local government agencies responded by turning the Los Angeles River into a flood control channel. When the storm ended on March 3, the resulting damage was huge.

March 2, 1938: Floodwaters in Los Angeles River destroy Southern Pacific railroad bridge. The photo was taken from North Figueroa Street bridge.

Feb. 28, 1938: Autos stall in flooded Fox Hills Boulevard and Slauson Avenue after the first storm brought about 4 inches of rain.

March 1, 1938: A three-story structure once occupied by cafe at Cheeney Road and Topanga Canyon Road collapsed and toppled into the highway as prolonged rains softened foundations.

March 2, 1938: Flooding at West 43rd Place near Leimert Boulevard.

March 2, 1938: Flooding at West 43rd Place and 11th Avenue near Leimert Boulevard stranded a school bus.

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The First-Ever Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center, New York in 1931

The tradition of the Rockefeller Plaza Christmas Tree started in 1931 when construction workers building the towers set up their own tree at the cleared construction site. The next year - 1932 - was the only year that Rockefeller Center didn’t have a Christmas tree. The tradition began on a more organized level when the center opened in 1933.

Construction workers line up for pay beside the first Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in New York in 1931. St. Patrick's Cathedral is visible in the background on Fifth Avenue. (Photo: AP)

Amazing Vintage Photographs of Rome From the Late 19th Century

The city of Rome originated as a village of the Latini in the 8th century BC. It was initially ruled by kings, but the Roman Republic was established in 509 BC. During the 5th century BC, Rome gained regional dominance in Latium, and eventually the entire Italian peninsula by the 3rd century BC. The population of the city at this point is estimated at about 300,000 people.

With the Punic Wars, Rome gained dominance over the Mediterranean, displacing Hellenistic Greece as the dominant regional power for the next five centuries. The Roman Empire was established under Octavian in 27 BC, after Julius Caesar’s conquest of Gaul, followed by a period of civil war. The city of Rome now surpassed a population of one million, likely the first city in history to reach this size (compared to world population of about 200–300 million at the time).

We found an amazing collection of old photos depicting the streets of the “Eternal City” Rome, from the late 19th Century.

Via del Corso, Palazzetto Sciarra and the Arch of Carbognano before their demolition to make space for via Minghetti, c. 1886.

Vicolo del Mortaro before the opening of via del Tritone, with Oratorio dell’Angelo Custode on the left, 1888-1900.

G. Primoli, View of piazza Venezia towards via IV Novembre, c. 1890.

Piazza Colonna, in the background Palazzo Piombino, c. 1887.

The Carnival floats parade on via del Corso, near piazza Colonna; on the right, Palazzo dei Magazzini Bocconi, 1887.

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A Collection of 40 Funny and Interesting Vintage Christmas Ads From the 1940s

Peek Frean, 1948

Rowntree’s Fruit Gums, 1949

Toni, 1949

Scroll Pens, 1949

Parker Pens, 1949

Austin Reed, 1949

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20 Cool Photographs of Celebrities' Life in the 1970s and Early '80s

Brad Elterman was at the centre of Los Angeles Rock and Punk scene in the late 1970s and early 80s. He was there at the craziest of parties and backstage at the most legendary concerts. Among the stars Brad circulated with are Joan Jett, Bob Dylan, Duran Duran, The Dead Boys, Blondie, and the Ramones. Other stars from that era that crossed his lens include Michael Jackson, Dolly Parton, and John Travolta. Here, below are some of his interesting images of celebrities from the 1970s and 1980s.

Cherie Currie, right, lead singer of the Runaways, and her twin sister, Marie, flank Vicki Razor Blade from Venus & the Razor Blades in 1977.

Michael Jackson's record company held a gold record party inside a bank vault in Beverly Hills in 1982.

Leif Garrett in Tokyo, 1979.

Yoko Ono, John Lennon and Ringo Starr at On The Rox club in 1976. Post-breakup photos of members of the Beatles together in the 1970s were rare.

Farrah Fawcett with Ryan O' Neal hanging out backstage at a Rolling Stones concert, 1980.

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35 Vintage Photos of People Celebrating the Holidays in New Jersey

Santa takes a break for a cup of joe at Liss Drugs in Jersey City in this undated photo. Courtesy of Jack Ricci.

Angelo Falvo (standing, left) gives Santa a trim at Chris' Barber Shop on Farnsworth Avenue in Bordentown, circa 1950s. Falvo worked at the shop for 43 years. Courtesy of Arlene Bice.

A longtime tradition at Georgian Court University in Lakewood was for the student body to gather in front of the mansion to sing Christmas carols, 1947. Courtesy of Georgian Court University.

A rather fit-looking Santa poses with children at the Laurelton School in Brick Township, circa early-1930s. Dolls for girls, footballs for boys. Courtesy of the Brick Township Historical Society.

The Cooper Branch Public Library in Camden is decorated to the hilt in 1939; carolers and a marching band are performing as part of the festivities. Courtesy of the Haddonfield Public Library.

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20 Black and White Photos Capture Daily Life of Hells Angels in 1965

The Hells Angels Motorcycle Club (HAMC) is a worldwide one-percenter motorcycle club whose members typically ride Harley-Davidson motorcycles. The organization is considered an organized crime syndicate by the U.S. Department of Justice. In 1965, LIFE photographer Bill Ray spent weeks with the Hells Angels, but his amazing photos never ran in the magazine. Fifty years later, here they are...

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