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The first photograph is supposed to have been taken in the late 1820s. But what was the first major historical event to be photographed?

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How do you define a "major event"? – Luke Jul 23 '12 at 20:34
A precise definition doesn't exist. To some the introduction of the first sewing machine was a major event while to others that would be an insignificant event. So a "major event" is a relative definition and up to those who reply. – user357320 Jul 24 '12 at 8:50
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One could argue that the first photograph was a major event. – Keith Thompson Jul 26 '12 at 22:40

3 Answers

up vote 12 down vote accepted

It is difficult to give an answer, what is a major historical event?

According Wikipedia Carol Szathmari was the first combat photographer during the Crimean War (1853-1856). This was some years before the United States Civil War. Some technical information can be at the Muzeul Naţional de Istorie a României

At Wikipedia they mention also a daguerreotypes of the U.S. troops in Satilo, Mexico, (1847).

Hermann Biow made photographs after a big fire in Hamburg (1842). At least it was a local major historical event.

Edit: I found some new information. The book Photography: A Cultural History by Mary Warner Marien has some interesting informations on page 44ff. The book tells, there were no plans to make th pictures of the Hamburg Fire (Hermann Biow). The first planned pictures from historic events are done 1848 in France (abdication of King Louis-Phillippe) by Eugène Thibault.

The first war photographies are from the Mexican-American War (1848, see page 47).

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Work fine for me (actually tested). – knut Jul 27 '12 at 17:15
up vote 2 down vote

The United States Civil War is the first real use of photographs that I have seen for a historical event, or war. It's 1861, so there is a gap, but I don't know of other photos that might have been taken.

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up vote 6 down vote

The first taking of a photograph was the first major historical event photographed (though it was photographed by implication rather than directly: you can't see it in the photograph).

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+1 - Snarky, but not implausible due to extreme vagueness of the question – DVK Jul 23 '12 at 22:55
See comment to original question. An adjective like Major or Important is always relative and subjective. It is though much clearer to use such an adjective instead of trying to define exactly what type event is "major": An event that more than 100 persons participated in, involved persons of royalty, etc. etc. – user357320 Jul 24 '12 at 8:54

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