AJC Flashback Photos: How Georgia and the U.S. handled mass illness

News

AJC Flashback Photos: How Georgia and the U.S. handled mass illness

While COVID-19 is new and unique, the people of Atlanta, Georgia and the United States have dealt with mass illnesses before. Here's how.

A Naval Aircraft Factory float with hull of a patrol seaplane in Philadelphia's Fourth Liberty Loan parade on Sept. 28, 1918. Today, historians blame the packed event for the spread of the devastating influenza epidemic in the city. MUST CREDIT: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command

1976 - Swine flu vaccine. (BILL MAHAN/AJC staff) 1976

19861120 - Dick Bruce of the CDC's immunization branch stands amid 40 million doses of swine flu vaccine that is stored in a warehouse in Chamblee. (JONATHAN NEWTON/AJC staff) 1986

1/9

Today's Gallery Headlines

Valentines for Veterans

Metro Atlanta students write valentines to veterans

GHSA Championship, Dance, Akins Ford Arena, Athens

PHOTOS: Georgia teams dance way to state championships

Spring Training Day 3 (Thursday)

PHOTOS: Day 3 of Spring Training for Braves

Her Story Art and Food

AJC photos of the month -- January 2026

More Galleries

PHOTOS: Georgia's first snowfall of the year

PHOTOS: Georgia's first snowfall of the year

Macon High School Restaurant

PHOTOS: The Compass Rose Cafe serves up quality food with heaping side dishes of life skills

Juwad Maynard holds a banner during a protest in Atlanta on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, against the U.S. military action in Venezuela. (Ben Gray for the AJC)

PHOTOS: People gather in downtown Atlanta to protest U.S. military action in Venezuela

People prepare to run the Polar Opposite Peachtree Road Race on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Atlanta. (Ben Gray for the AJC)

PHOTOS: Thousands run AJC Polar Opposite Peachtree Road Race