When LIFE magazine’s premiere issue hit newsstands on November 23, 1936, a star was born — LIFE’s cover was soon as recognizable an American icon as the spire of the Empire State Building.
As we are approaching the 75th anniversary of the magazine’s debut, LIFE presents, in chronological order, the 75 most moving, most striking, most beautiful LIFE covers of all time, as chosen by the site’s editors.
Pictured: April 30, 1965: The Days Before Birth
Sixteen photos excerpted from Swedish photojournalist Lennart Nilsson’s book A Life Is Born were published in the April 30, 1965, issue of LIFE — but perhaps none as breathtaking or memorable as this cover image. Every one of the 8 million copies of LIFE printed sold out with four days.
(see more — The 75 Best LIFE Covers of All Time)
