Who photographed the famous V-J Day sailor kissing a woman in New York’s Times Square?

Alfred Eisenstaedt photographed the famous V-J Day sailor kissing a woman in New York’s Times Square.

Eisenstaedt’s image, later known as V-J Day in Times Square, shows a U.S. Navy sailor kissing a woman during the celebrations of 14 August 1945. Life magazine published the photograph in a special victory-celebration section, turning the spontaneous scene into one of the most recognizable images associated with the end of World War II.

The sailor was later identified as George Mendonsa, and the woman as Greta Zimmer Friedman. Eisenstaedt did not record their names at the time, which led several people to claim they were the subjects. The identification of Friedman and Mendonsa was supported decades later by interviews, photographs, and image analysis.

Victor Jorgensen photographed the same moment from another angle, producing a separate image titled Kissing the War Goodbye. That photograph is often confused with Eisenstaedt’s version. The scene occurred before the formal surrender signing in Tokyo Bay and during public anticipation of the announcement.