Who photographed the iconic V-J Day kiss in New York’s Times Square in 1945?

Alfred Eisenstaedt photographed the iconic V-J Day kiss in New York’s Times Square.

Eisenstaedt was a German-born American photojournalist who worked for Life magazine. On August 14, 1945, he was in Times Square photographing celebrations and public anticipation of President Harry Truman’s announcement.

He captured four frames of a sailor kissing a woman in a light-colored uniform. The best-known image was published in Life and became one of the most recognizable photographs associated with the end of World War II.

The image is often mistaken for a photograph taken after the formal surrender ceremony on September 2. In fact, Eisenstaedt made it in New York on August 14, before the formal signing and amid celebrations triggered by news of Japan’s acceptance.