November 1, 1896

A picture showing the bare breasts of a woman appears in National Geographic magazine for the first time.


Washington D.C., United States | National Geographic

Watercolor painting based depiction of A picture showing the bare breasts of a woman appears in National Geographic magazine for the first time. (1896)

There is no record of an event where a picture showing the bare breasts of a woman appeared in National Geographic magazine on November 1, 1896. National Geographic magazine is known for its coverage of geography, history, and world cultures, and has published various photographs depicting indigenous cultures from around the world throughout its history. The magazine’s editorial choices sometimes included nudity when considered culturally relevant for the depiction of traditional attire, but specific dates for first occurrences of such depictions are not typically recorded with precision in historical accounts.

For accurate historical context, National Geographic began including photographs in its issues in the late 19th century, and by the early 20th century, it became known for its richly illustrated features on diverse global cultures. It is possible that some photographs showing indigenous communities in traditional dress, which might have included nudity, appeared in its early 20th-century issues, leading to discussions about cultural representation. However, the precise date and issue, specifically November 1, 1896, do not correlate with a documented watershed moment in this regard.