Archive

Classic American Summer

From JFK and Jackie during their engagement and The Beatles' 1964 tour to a young Reagan and a 5-year-old Shirley Temple, view photos of beachgoers frolicking through the '30s, '40s, '50s, and '60s.

galleries/2010/09/03/classic-american-summer/great-american-summer-tease_zlvlzb
Silver Screen Collection / Getty Images
galleries/2010/09/03/classic-american-summer/classic-american-summer-2_z2km95

Ronald Reagan, Virginia Mayo, Eddie Bracken, and Dona Drake took time off from The Girl from Jones Beach set to enjoy the surf and sand at Santa Monica Beach, California on July 15, 1948.

AP Photo
galleries/2010/09/03/classic-american-summer/classic-american-summer-3_lwrd0g

Youngsters take off in a mass dive in rehearsal for The Daily News Water Derby at Jones Beach on July 31, 1935.

Getty Images
galleries/2010/09/03/classic-american-summer/classic-american-summer-4_pkcmhz

Six sunbathers hit the beach with a view to soaking up some rays at Coney Island on July 2, 1960. Spokes in the wheel of beauty are (clockwise, from top) Marsha Diamond, Anne Bianchino, Marie Lauletti, Barbara Moreno, Joyce Molino, and Joyce Spinella.

Ed Peters, NY Daily News Archive / Getty Images
galleries/2010/09/03/classic-american-summer/classic-american-summer-1_bw7rnk

Then 5-year-old screen actress Shirley Temple is shown with her father, George F. Temple, as they enjoy a day at the beach at the Santa Monica Athletic Club on June 5, 1934.

AP Photo
galleries/2010/09/03/classic-american-summer/classic-american-summer-15_b8id0f

Jacqueline Bouvier sitting with her fiance, Sen. John Kennedy, on the deck of small sailboat as they cruise the waters of Cape Cod on July 7, 1953.

Hy Peskin, Time Life Pictures / Getty Images
galleries/2010/09/03/classic-american-summer/classic-american-summer-6_pzhaxq

Girl taking pictures of surfers in Hawaii, 1968.

Getty Images
galleries/2010/09/03/classic-american-summer/classic-american-summer-7_kv0va4

The Beatles pose in the sea at Miami Beach during the band's 1964 tour of America on February 15, 1964. From left to right: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison.

Popperfoto / Getty Images
galleries/2010/09/03/classic-american-summer/classic-american-summer-8_uc28ic

A couple playing leapfrog on a beach in the 1940s.

H. Armstrong Roberts, Retrofile / Getty Images
galleries/2010/09/03/classic-american-summer/classic-american-summer-5_zsvwv3

Two trainers using exercise wheels on a beach in Florida, 1935.

Getty Images
galleries/2010/09/03/classic-american-summer/classic-american-summer-9_smbhur

A trio of bathing beauties wearing the latest swimsuit costumes to the beach in the 1930s.

E. O. Hoppe, Time Life Pictures / Getty Images
galleries/2010/09/03/classic-american-summer/classic-american-summer-10_cxar9u

A group of youngsters lean on a Ford Mustang convertible as they listen to a woman play an acoustic guitar in the mid-'60s.

Tom Kelley / Getty Images
galleries/2010/09/03/classic-american-summer/classic-american-summer-11_rlq27c

Cheerleaders practice their stunts on the beach, circa 1955.

Getty Images
galleries/2010/09/03/classic-american-summer/classic-american-summer-13_g2jpww

Stunt performers doing lifts at Muscle Beach in Santa Monica in 1956.

Gene Lester / Getty Images
galleries/2010/09/03/classic-american-summer/classic-american-summer-14_vyboci

Romanian-born film star and Olympic swimming champion Johnny Weissmuller demonstrates a diving stance to a small child on May 1, 1934.

Russell Ball, John Kobal Foundation / Getty Images
galleries/2010/09/03/classic-american-summer/classic-american-summer-12_iyzeel

Women in swimsuits admire the view, circa 1955.

Harold M. Lambert / Getty Images

Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here.