TOW #26: V-J Day in Time Square by Alfred Eisenstaedt (Visual)

Goals:

-Pick a unique piece that would challenge myself

-Try not to repeat words so often

-work on connecting rhetorical elements to thesis

         

           It’s August 14^th 1945, President Truman has just announced victory over Japan and the end of World War II.  Thousands of people fled from buildings to join the celebration in Time Square in New York City.  One American sailor’s excitement caused him to go around the square kissing anyone and everyone he saw. Intrigued by this man, photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt began clicking his Leica camera for a chance to capture the perfect kiss.  Out of the corner of his eye, Eisenstaedt saw a white nurses dress being wisped into the sailor’s arms. SNAP! The iconic image was taken. “V-J Day in Time Square” photographed by Alfred Eisenstaedt represents celebration in a kiss and the luck Eisenstaedt had in order to capture the joy of all American’s at the conclusion of WWII.

            Propaganda played a large role in any war. Kissing in war advertisements was seen in a very positive light during wartime because it made the war seem lighter than it truly was. Although V-J Day was shot after the declaration of the war’s end, it still played a large role in persuading the American public.  An American sailor who had most likely predicated in WWII is seen kissing a nurse. This image was published in Life magazine, along with a few other kiss pictures in order to generate a new sense of hope in American citizens. This captivated many and brought out more excitement about the war’s conclusion.

            If Eisenstaedt turned around 5 seconds later than he did he would have missed this iconic moment. His luck made him and his photograph famous. Eisenstaedt recollection of the event is as followed: “I saw something white being grabbed. I turned around and clicked the moment the sailor kissed the nurse. If she had been dressed in a dark dress I would never have taken the picture.” Without luck, America would have never witness this celebratory action.

            Almost every person in America knows of the image of the sailor kissing the nurse in Time Square.  This spontaneous event led to the iconic image that reminds America of the hope that comes after war. Eisenstaedt will be remembered forever for just a simple push of a button.