On august 14, 1945 Alfred Eisenstaedt captured and iconic photo of a sailor kissing a “nurse” in Times Square, New York City. The photo focuses on the couple kissing but also shows the excitement of the city behind them. People smiling and cheering in the streets celebrating the announcement of the end of World War II. What this picture fails to show is the pain this war caused for so many people. Despite everything this picture appears to represent at first glance, the meaning behind this photo represents much more than just the joy of a soldier hearing that the war is over. It not only represents what our country stood for at the time, this photograph captures two individuals who have contradictory feelings about the end of the war. The same war that this sailor is celebrating the end of, caused unmeasurable pain for many people including the woman photographed in this picture. What this picture represents is not just a celebration for Americans, it symbolizes the unity as a world we have together.

At first glance, this photo shows excitement. From the sailor kissing the woman dressed as a nurse, to the individuals in the background smiling and cheering. The photo produces a sense of pride. As an American, one is proud of the sacrifices so many men and women gave to make sure our country, and world, was protected from the evils of World War II. The photo also presents a sense of optimism. It is like a new life has been born and America as a country can begin its new life outside of the war and begin to advance together. Clearly, the sailor photographed shares this feeling as he can now begin his life aside from service.

What Alfred Eisenstaedt captured when he took this photo was more than just two people sharing a kiss. He was able to capture what America represented at this time. Times Square is epitome of one of the biggest cities in America. Just miles from where immigrants register at Ellis Island, New York City is the melting pot of cultures and races from all over the world. People from different countries and cultures were gathered in the streets on this monumental day to celebrate the end of the war. It did not matter where you were from, what you believed in, or what you did for a living, this photo captured what it meant to live in America. Men and women, sacrificing their time and risking their lives to protect this country and everything it stood for. In a time where the war was controversial, people were willing to give up luxuries to stand for what was right. This photo captures the bi-product of the work these individuals put in, the relief and happiness of the ability to begin a new life.

George Mendonsa was on leave from his service in the Navy when the announcement was made. While on a date with a woman, George was filled with so much elation that he stopped, grabbed, and kissed another woman who appeared to be a nurse. What George did not know is that the woman he kissed was Greta Zimmer, an immigrant from Austria who found work as a dental assistant. The emotions of these two individuals felt could not have been more contradictory. While George is celebrating the beginning of his new life outside of the war, Greta is mourning the loss of her old life. Greta Zimmer was born in Austria and was forced by her parents to leave her home when the war started for safety. What this photograph does not show is the sense of anxiety and uncertainty she is feeling. That is why the true symbolism of this photo is not the celebration of the end of a war. The true symbolism of this photograph is the unity amongst individuals across the world. Two people, two opposite stories, unified together by something as simple as a kiss. While he may not have realized it at the time, George’s action represents this unification and overall love we as humans share for one another.

While George Mendeonsa and Greta Zimmer did not know what this kiss would represent at the time, the stories both of these individuals carry show the connection we share as humans. A picture, which on the surface seems to represent nothing more than celebration and love, has a story behind it that means much more than just a kiss. Two individuals, from opposite backgrounds, are affected by the ending of this war in opposite ways. Despite this, the kiss represents the unity we have as human beings all across the world.
