August 15th 1945: D-Day
Everyone recognizes this picture. Featured in LIFE magazine, this is probably one of the most famous images of WWII (aside from Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima) This photograph was taken by Alfred Eisenstaedt on August 15, 1945 in Times Square.
But what some people may not know is that the man and woman kissing still remain unidentified, and did not even know each other at the time of the kiss. Apparently, what Eisenstaedt captured was the scene at Times Square on D Day. People were grabbing anyone and everyone and kissing. The photographer followed this guy down the street and the rumor (I'm not sure if this part is true...) he kissed over 30 women before this shot was taken!
August 15 is actually V-J Day...Victory over Japan.
ReplyDeleteThey also believe that woman to be Edith Shain, she stepped forward years later and said it was her and pretty much everyone took her word on it.
A few Sailors stepped forward as well, but none were proved to actually be "the Sailor" so that is still a mystery.
We discussed this in a class I took in college..interested that your blog entry sparked that memory, lol