Times Square (New York), August 14th 1945. WWII is over.
People are simply overwhelmed with happiness and celebrate the big news in the street among smiles, confetti and the sensation of a new beginning. Famous photograph Alfred Eisenstaedt is in Times Square too and takes a lot of pictures.
[V-J Day in Times Square by Alfred Eisenstaedt Image Source: LIFE]
The most famous? A passionate kiss between a sailor and a young nurse. That photo, published on the 'LIFE's cover, become a legend, by symbolizing peace, hope and victory.
I saw a sailor running along the street grabbing any and every girl in sight. Whether she was a grandmother, stout, thin, old, didn't make a difference. I was running ahead of him with my Leica looking back over my shoulder but none of the pictures that were possible pleased me.
Then suddenly, in a flash, I saw something white being grabbed. I turned around and clicked the moment the sailor kissed the nurse ... I took exactly four pictures. It was done within a few seconds.
Only one is right, on account of the balance. In the others the emphasis is wrong -- the sailor on the left side is either too small or too tall. People tell me that when I am in heaven they will remember this picture.
Then suddenly, in a flash, I saw something white being grabbed. I turned around and clicked the moment the sailor kissed the nurse ... I took exactly four pictures. It was done within a few seconds.
Only one is right, on account of the balance. In the others the emphasis is wrong -- the sailor on the left side is either too small or too tall. People tell me that when I am in heaven they will remember this picture.
Alfred Eisenstaedt [1898-1995]
Eisenstaedt on Eisentstaedt
Eisenstaedt on Eisentstaedt
The nurse was Edith Shain, 26 at the time, who died a couple of days ago, on Sunday, at 91.
Ciao, Edith.
Ciao, Edith.
LIFE Photo gallery - A Sailor, a Nurse, a Legendary Kiss
Nurse in V-J Day kiss photo dies
ps. Thanks for the suggestion, Fra!