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At its best, photography captures fleeting snippets that
crystallize the hope, anguish, wonder and joy of life. Alfred
Eisenstaedt, one of the first four photographers hired by
life magazine, made it his mission “to find and catch the
storytelling moment.” He didn’t have to go far for it when
World War II ended on August 14, 1945. Taking in the
mood on the streets of New York City, Eisenstaedt soon
found himself in the joyous tumult of Times Square. As
he searched for subjects, a sailor in front of him grabbed
hold of a nurse, tilted her back and kissed her. Eisenstaedt’s
photograph of that passionate swoop distilled the relief and
promise of that momentous day in a single moment of un-
bridled joy (although some argue today that it should be
seen as a case of sexual assault). His beautiful image has be-
come the most famous and frequently reproduced picture
of the 20th century, and it forms the basis of our collective
memory of that transformative moment in world history.
“People tell me that when I’m in heaven,” Eisenstaedt said,
“they will remember this picture.”V-J DAY IN TIMES SQUARE Alfred Eisenstaedt, 1945