V-J Day in Times Square: A makeout party and celebration of freedom
“Booze flowed; inhibitions were cast off; there were probably as many fists thrown as kisses planted.” That’s how Time magazine described the day at Times Square in New York City when Japan surrendered to America, ending one of the bloodiest wars in history.
On August 14, 1945, photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt saw a sailor running erratically around Times Square, kissing every female he laid his eyes on. This famous photo from that day caused quite a stir because the sailor confessed to not even knowing the nurse he was photographed kissing. Many people called this act sexual assault.