Johnny Cash’s Last Performance

This is a photo taken from Johnny Cash’s final performance on July 15th, 2003. Cash was 71 during his last performance before succumbing to complications with his diabetes on September 12th, 2003.

Japan Air Flight 123

On August 12th, 1985, Japan Air Flight 123 suffered an “explosive decompression 12 minutes into the flight,” causing the oxygen masks to pop down for passengers to use and prompting one passenger to snap a photo. The plane crashed 32 minutes later on Mount Takamagahara.

All 15 crew members died but 4 of the 509 passengers miraculously survived. Many speculate that the death toll would have been reduced if not for the delays in the rescue operation up the mountainside.

Joy Division’s Ian Curtis

On May 18th, 1980, the band Joy Division’s lead singer, Ian Curtis, committed suicide on the eve of the band’s first North American tour. He suffered from epilepsy and depression and is pictured here with his daughter just five days before his death.