world-famous photos

You may not have any interest in photography, and though you probably know some of these shots because they went around the world.
Maybe some of you disagree when I say this also refers to street photography, but I think it's really interesting to see how a photo can influence the world and reach that many people.
I'll post some photos from time to time, choosing photos from today and from the past, from Europe and anywhere else, from famous events or just awesome examples of 'normal' street photography. I hope you enjoy and get some inspiration, maybe :)

The jumping soldier



Date: August 15, 1961
Place: Bernauer Straße, Berlin
Photographer: Peter Leibing

Background:
A tiny bit of a history lesson, after WW2 Germany had been seperated into four parts, and so had been Germany's capital Berlin. Three of them were affiliated into one, the German Federal Republic. The fourth one turned into the German Democratic Republic, controlled by the Soviet Union, and very far from a democratic state.
Until 1961, however, many people fled from the GDR, and as these people were mostly young, intelligent and important, the gouvernment decided to build a wall instead of just a normal boundary to keep people in.

About:
The photo shows a military man from the GDR who was involved in building the wall - but instead of doing what he was supposed to, he jumped over the boundary, into freedom.
The soldier's name is Conrad Schumann, and the photo was taken by Peter Leibing - both were only 19. It turned to be the photo of his life.
He later said that he "had only one chance to take this photo" and that he waited for, like, hours, just watching the soldier on the other side who looked nervous - and he was lucky with it.

Symbol:
Since then the photo has become a symbol for freedom and the will to risk everything for it.


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