A death mask thought to be that of English dramatist William Shakespeare (1566–1616). Found by Dr. Ludwig Becker in Mainz in 1849, the mask was linked to Shakespeare because of its 1616 date and its supposed facial resemblance to the writer. A rival theory, however, maintains that the mask is more likely to be that of English poet Ben Johnson. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images). Circa 1900

An actor performs during the show “Paris de Nuit” in Santiago, Chile, 20 September 2016. The show is a combination of cabaret and circus, produced by the Recirquel Contemporary Circus Company from Budapest, and will be performed at the Mapocho Cultural station from 20 to 25 September. (Photo by Mario Ruiz/EPA)

With temperatures soaring and summer well underway, countless Americans will be spending their Independence Day weekend at the beach. Here we revisit some classic images from the turn-of-the-century to the 1930's of vacations by the sea, from Coney Island to Santa Monica.

Kaye Don seated in the cockpit of his new racing car the “Silver Bullet” at Wolverhampton, England on February 21, 1930, in which he will attempt to beat world land speed record at Daytona. It has two 12-cylinder V shaped engines and each develops 2,000-h.p. The theoretical speed of the car is 275 m.p.h. but the designer estimated that will be able to reach 250 m.p.h. allowing for wind pressures. (Photo by AP Photo/Staff/Puttnam)

General view of the screens in Hyde Park to showing the Royal Wedding on April 29, 2011 in London, England. The marriage of Prince William, the second in line to the British throne, to Catherine Middleton is being held in London today. The Archbishop of Canterbury conducted the service which was attended by 1900 guests, including foreign Royal family members and heads of state. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have also flocked to London to witness the spectacle and pageantry of the Royal Wedding and street parties are being held throughout the UK. (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images)

Canadian singer-songwriter and dancer Tate McRae performs with dancers during the first day of the iHeartRadio Music Festival at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. September 19, 2025. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Reuters)