June 21 is National Selfie Day, and so once again it’s time to swipe on some Insta-ready makeup, spot out a prime picture-taking location, and perfect that selfie pout. Need some inspiration for your next photoshoot? From funny to iconic and classic to unexpected, check out the all-time top selfies to date.
1. The Oldest
Robert Cornelius was bored and particularly angsty one afternoon in 1839. “What should I do?” he thought to himself. And so, the selfie was born.
2. The Coldest
Our favorite host, Ellen DeGeneres, was delighted to have the honor of helping Kim Kardashian complete the Ice Bucket Challege. Kim, of course, was taking a selfie.
3. The Holiest
@KofC epic #selfie #PopeFrancis pic.twitter.com/CLYduUpxDA
— Fabio M. Ragona (@FabioMRagona) August 29, 2013
Yes. That is the Pope in a selfie. Have selfies been officially blessed? We hope so.
4. The Most Suspenseful
Tampa Bay Rays sideline reporter Kelly Nash was totally oblivious to the speeding baseball just inches away as she took this selfie. You don’t have to keep cringing—it narrowly missed her head! While we are thankful for this hilarious image, we are way more thankful that she wasn’t hurt!
5. The Presidential Selfie
When you introduce an older generation to a millennial trend, you can expect some confusion to ensue. It looks like President Obama hadn’t quite yet learned proper selfie etiquette in this image, where he and two prime ministers can be seen snapping a shot in the middle of Nelson Mandela’s memorial service. And they say we don’t ever put our phones away! Michelle Obama was obviously above such childish antics.
6. The First Lady Selfie
Here is Jacqueline Kennedy’s selfie of 60 years ago with sister-in-law Ethel & JFK (in mirror): #Mcinnis pic.twitter.com/HamNJSFuId
— Michael Beschloss (@BeschlossDC) March 13, 2014
We can’t say we’re surprised that Jackie Kennedy snapped a classy selfie in 1954—she always was ahead of the trends.
7. The Space Selfie
We’re all a little starry-eyed at this breathtaking space snapshot. One small step for astronaut Aki Hoshide, one giant leap for selfie history.
8. The Revealing Selfie
There’s a reason Kimmy has an entire book of selfies and is being immortalized as an interactive, selfie-taking wax figure at Madame Tussauds. This particular selfie caused quite a stir, now sitting on a throne of over one million Instagram likes.
9. The Bieber Selfie
There is not just one shirtless selfie of proclaimed badboy Justin Beiber. The star is famous for his shirtless collection, but this specific shot is iconic for being the first Instagram video to ever hit one million likes.
10. The Bey Selfie
Both girls look bey-utiful in this unstaged, on-stage photobomb by the queen herself.
11. The Ape Selfie
So, this happened. While photographer David Slater left his camera unattended during a trip in Indonesia, a black macaque monkey took the opportunity to get a glamour shot in. You look beautiful, darling.
12. The Elephant “Elfie”
This elephant was keen on making a lasting memory during a traveler’s trip to Thailand. He would never forget the experience, so why should anybody else?
13. The Ellen Selfie
And of couse, this surefire classic. We love you, Ellen.