V-J Day in Times Square

V-J Day in Times Square

This is probably the most famous picture around the globe. In the middle of the picture, a sailor held a nurse tightly in his arms and kissed her, right standing in the bustling Times Square. If you suppose the two characters in the photo were a couple, I'm sorry to tell you : "No, they weren't."

The iconic photo was taken in August 14, 1945, when Japan ,after all the long wait, eventually surrendered. The word V-J stands for "Victory over Japan." People today might find it hard to imagine what a war was like since most of us live peaceful lives nowadays. During the World War Two, soldiers from all over the world were forced to go on a foreign battlefield, not knowing what they fought for, and many of them never went home. When the Japanese announced their surrender, the whole world celebrated the end of the bloody war.

Photographer Alfred Eisenstaed was the one who captured this very moment, when a overjoyed sailor kissed the beautiful nurse. In fact, they never got to know each other. It was after nearly 40 years that the two characters unveiled their true identity. And the sailor, who was overwhelmed with ecstasy, actually kissed every female he saw on the spot.

Even till today, we can still clearly grasp the great joy and relief in this photograph, a photograph that recorded one of the most hopeful moment in the history, and continuously reminding us of the true value of peace.

picture from: http://life.time.com/history/v-j-day-kiss-in-times-square-and-other-celebrations-august-14-1945/#1