"Kissing the War Goodbye"*

This image, captured by Alfred Eisenstaedt on V-J Day, is undeniably iconic, and quickly became the symbol for the end of the war on Japan. Shortly after President Truman announced this surrender that effectively ended WWII, an exodus of people flooded Times Square. Eisenstaedt recapitulates the event as:

"…thousands of people milling around, in side streets and everywhere. Everybody was kissing each other . . . And there was also a Navy man running, grabbing anybody, you know, kissing, I ran ahead of him because I had Leica cameras around my neck, focused from 10 feet to infinity. You only had to shoot . . . I didn't even know what was going on, until he grabbed something in white. And I stood there, and they kissed. And I snapped five times."

Men of service had quickly realized they had an excuse to kiss anyone they wanted, and gave women a reason to let them. Needless to say, the individuals in the image were complete strangers. This victory over one of the most powerful and aggressive military powers in the world was an outstanding achievement. This brought about a mass outpouring of passion, national pride, and unity. And there was a sudden upheaval of industrial growth and economic strength- a dramatic advancement from depression to prosperity.

This image depicts a strong and patriotic America. This day was a dramatic turn from the cataclysmic nature of war- although bittersweet notwithstanding. Thousands of POW’s were displaced or executed. This kiss was not one of lust or affection, but rather anguish and security. And that feeling resonated throughout the country.

To this very day, we celebrate the victory of war. But it is an awful price to pay for peace and accord.

* “Kissing the War Goodbye” is the title of a similar shot of the kissing sailor and nurse, taken by a different photographer. It is not to be confused with Eisenstaedt’s work, "V-J Day in Times Square". I felt this title better reflected the ideas in my post.