The Story Behind the Iconic WWII Kissing Photo

Sep 13, 2016, 04:47
The Story Behind the Iconic WWII Kissing Photo

Her son, Joshua Friedman, who confirmed the 92-year-old's death, said his mother had been living in an assisted living facility for the past two years.

Friedman, then 21 and a dental assistant, was in Times Square when the news of Japan's surrender to the United States was announced on a billboard, marking the end of the war, CNN reported.

He grabbed Zimmer, a grinning Petry looking on, kissed her, and continued on.

As Japan surrendered to the United States on August 14, 1945, also known as the V-J Day, people of NY city were seen celebrating the news in the streets, bars and restaurants.

So explained the caption of an electrifying photograph that appeared on page 27 in the Life magazine edition of August 27, 1945.

She went to Times Square amid reports that the war had ended.

Life magazine photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt captured the moment.

"It wasn't that much of a kiss", Friedman, who came forward as the woman in the photo years later, said in a 2005 interview with the Veterans History Project.

In fact, Mendonsa was on a date with an actual nurse, Rita Petry, who would later become his wife. At least 11 men have claimed to have been the sailor in the photo, while three women, including Ms. Friedman, had prominent claims that they were the nurse.

Joshua Friedman told The News that his mother was sympathetic to that view, but held no ill will against Mendonsa.

Friedman said that she did not see the photo until the 1960s, when she came upon a book of the Eisenstaedts images and found the moment immortalised on the page. "It was just somebody celebrating". One of them, whose claim was bolstered by a book-length investigation, was Greta Friedman, an Austrian refugee of the Holocaust who had settled in NY.

As she entered Times Square, Ms Friedman was grabbed and kissed by George Mendonsa, a sailor on leave and overjoyed by the war's end. "It wasnt a romantic event". If you would like to discuss another topic, look for a relevant article.

She married doctor Mischa Friedman in 1956.

While both Mendonsa and Zimmer said they are the photographed couple, others have also claimed to be depicted. Mendonsa saw Zimmer, a dental assistant, and mistook her for a nurse.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
  • Benchmark shows iPhone 7 Plus may have 3GB of RAM

    Design-wise, keeping the iPhone 6 and 6S' design also meant that the smartphone would still keep its relatively thick bezels. Apple has added dual rear camera setup to the larger iPhone and has also added 3GB RAM to suffix the extra processing needs.
    Wiesberger takes 1-stroke lead after 2nd round of KLM Open

    Wiesberger takes 1-stroke lead after 2nd round of KLM Open

    Home hero Joost Luiten fired a brilliant course-record equalling 63 to make history and win his second KLM Open at The Dutch. People talk about the zone, and I think I was in it today.
    Ohio State overcomes sluggish start to beat Tulsa 48-3

    Ohio State overcomes sluggish start to beat Tulsa 48-3

    Fickell compared the 2016 defense to that of 2006 when the Buckeyes had to replace several starters, yet caused turnovers at will. The halftime adjustments made by the coaching staff proved to be effective and that is a good sign for Buckeye fans everywhere.
  • Clinton blasts Trump's comments on military generals, Putin

    Clinton blasts Trump's comments on military generals, Putin

    The billionaire businessman appeared to pivot away from his hard-line position on immigration, saying, "I'm all about jobs now". No Republican has won the White House without carrying the state, and the airport offered vivid imagery of that crucial role.
    Chargers vs. Chiefs: Inactive List

    Chargers vs. Chiefs: Inactive List

    Be proactive - Use the "Flag as Inappropriate" link at the upper right corner of each comment to let us know of abusive posts. One negative to the first half: The Chargers used all three of their timeouts in the first 16 minutes.
    Ex 49er was in sandwich fight before later assault arrest

    Ex 49er was in sandwich fight before later assault arrest

    Switching to tight end because coach Chip Kelly's offense does not include a fullback, Miller had made the 53-man roster. The couple's 29-year old son, who was in the adjoining room, opened the door to tell Miller he was at the wrong room.
  • Kenyan police kill 3 women who attacked police station

    Kenyan police kill 3 women who attacked police station

    Police also recovered an unexploded suicide vest from one of the attackers, spokesman George Kinoti said in a statement. According to Reuters , a woman who had sheltered the perpetrators the night before the attack have been arrested.
    Did Lee Corso Accidentally Reveal Next College GameDay Location?

    Did Lee Corso Accidentally Reveal Next College GameDay Location?

    One youngster put up a sign with his Venmo ID during an ESPN broadcast, resulting in several thousand people sending him money. During that moment, he received US$24m000 worth of cryptocurrency, earning him a legendary status in the history of Bitcoin.
    Nascar eSports Future of Racing?

    Nascar eSports Future of Racing?

    Just like modern stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have made soccer all the more popular in the United States of America. Still unsure? The series has been shown online since 2010, and the demand to watch it shows the growth is likely to continue.
  • Trump condemns Clinton's 'deplorables' label on his backers

    Trump condemns Clinton's 'deplorables' label on his backers

    Mike Pence (R-Indiana) speaks at the Values Voter Summit at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. on September 10, 2016. Trump said in a statement Saturday that "her true feelings came out, showing bigotry and hatred for millions of Americans".
    A Day After Friday Congregations, Curfew Lifted in Kashmir

    A Day After Friday Congregations, Curfew Lifted in Kashmir

    The protestors started pelting stones at the security forces who retaliated by firing tear smoke shells and pellet guns, he said. Although the Eid Al Zuha festival falls on Tuesday, there was no traditional hustle and bustle in the Valley.

    How the iPhone 7's Taptic Engine on the Home Button Works

    This means that iPhone 7 32GB version (which is the base model in terms of storage) will be available at Rs 60 ,000. Noted Apple tipster and KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has spilled some details on next year's iPhone models.
popular