Who doesn’t know the famous kiss of Greta Zimmer Friedman and George Mendosa? The famous kiss was captured by photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt on August 14, 1945 after America’s victory over Japan. The picture then symbolizes the end of the war.
The photograph went viral with the caption ‘V-J Day in Times Square’ but both the people in picture remained unknown till 1980. Over the years, around 11 couples came forward to claim their identity in the picture. But, in 2012, an investigation confirmed that it was Greta Zimmer Friedman and George Mendosa who shared the famous kiss in the picture.
In 2012, the couple reunited in Times square and revealed that they both didn’t know each other. And it happened in the excitement of the end of the war. It was George who was filled with his emotions and a couple of drinks. The kiss was not a romantic gesture at all.
Greta revealed in an interview, “I did not see him approaching, and before I know it I was in this vice grip. I felt that he was very strong. He was just holding me tight. I’m not sure about the kiss. It was just somebody celebrating. It wasn’t a romantic event.” She added, “It was a wonderful coincidence, a man in a sailor’s uniform and a woman in a white dress and a great photographer at the right time.” While George said, “ The excitement of the war being over, plus I had a few drinks, so when I saw the nurse I grabbed her, and I kissed her.”
They both claimed that they never saw each other after the famous kiss.
Also read: History of August 14
Tiru Dehariya
