The World After the War

Everyone has seen this picture: "V-J Day, Times Square, 1945", known by many as "The Kiss" or something of the sort, was snapped during the celebration of the Japanese surrender. While not nearly as romantic as most would assume (neither member of the picture knew each other, as the soldier had been kissing everyone and just in general being ecstatic, and the nurse allegedly slapped him after the kiss) it quickly became a symbol of the excitement of the end of the long second world war. While Germany had already surrendered at this point, soldiers were still faced with the concept of having to ship out to the Pacific front, an idea that comforted few; the surrender of Japan meant the actual end of the war, end of the fighting. This image came to represent the overall feelings of relief and happiness that the long war was finally over and that peace could possibly be given the chance. While it was not a change, it was the symbol of a change, and comforted the people as it really solidified that the war was indeed over, and the soldiers could come home.