Life Magazine July 6, 1962 -- Cover: Hot-Air Balloon

July 6, 1962 - Life magazine is one of the world's most recognizable publications. From 1936 to 1972 the weekly publication of Life served as the nation's foremost authority on cultural trends and the state of the American experience. It ceased publication until 1978, when it returned as a monthly until the year 2000. Since then Life has returned as a weekly, published in 70 newspapers across the nation. The company is also well-known for its many books on photography, writing and, in conjunction with Time, many self-help and 'how to' volumes. Life magazine continues to be one of the most important publications in the country, both for its current issues as well as its back catalog. Researchers, designers, and the simply curious use Life magazine as a reference for style, trends, celebrity news, as well as the award-winning photography that first made the publication famous. By now there is hardly anybody in the United States who isn't familiar with both the logo (white lettering on a red rectangle) as well any number of photographs first published in the magazine, like the famous V-Day kiss in Times Square. Life magazine is dedicated to continuing its place in American publication history, and back issues of the magazine can fetch considerable figures if in good condition. The magazine has gone from being simply another magazine to a sought-after collectible. Collections of Life magazine are often found at auction. Where Life will go in the future is unknown, but its resiliency has proven to be formidable, and most experts agree that Life will remain an iconic, growing force in American culture for years to come.