Photos that changed the world

I'm sure most people have seen amazing photos taken by a DSLR camera and technology has allowed some interesting effects to be added to them too. Nevertheless, 40 or 50 years ago, the photographers of yesteryears may not have such sophisticated equipments but yet they could capture the soul of that time. There are images that remain iconic throughout the test of time and they will always speak a message worth more than a thousand words that will continue to impact future generations to come. Here's my top picks in the historical archives for the photos that changed the world.

Soviet Victory over Berlin - A Soviet trooper climbs up the Reichstag to plant the USSR flag, a symbolic action marking the fall of the Nazi regime and the start of a tumultuous struggle between two superpowers for the control of the city for the next 45 years.

Raising a flag over Iwo Jima - US Marine troops raised the American flag over the island of Iwo Jima. This iconic photograph was immortalised as a monument in the United States Marine Corp headquarters.

Victory over Japan Day - One of my personal favourites. This shot was taken from Times Square in New York, on the day of announcement that war is over.

Guerrillero Heroico - This portrait photo of Che Guevara taken from a memorial service was reproduced millions of times throughout the later part of the 20th century as posters. This photo of his became the very embodiment of the idea of a revolution.

Execution of a Vietcong Guerilla - The Saigon police chief undertakes the grimm task of executing a Vietcong operative. This was a Pulitzer Prize winning photograph that changed the public opinion of the Vietnam war.

Afghan Girl refugee - The piercing green eyes graced the cover of the National Geographic magazine in the 80s to highlight the plight of refugees all over the world. The identity of the girl was found by the photographer 20 years later.

Tiananmen Square 1989 - The sight of a young man defying the rolling war machine speaks volume of the university students who demanded democratic reforms during that year.

World Trade Center 9/11 - The raising of the flag by the firemen was reminiscent of the photo from Iwo Jima. The paradigm of world politics had a major shift eversince that day.

Images are courtesy of their respective photographers and sources.