HISTORY's Moment in Media: Victory Over Japan Day with Life Magazine's "The Kiss"

For decades it was seen as an iconic image -- perhaps even the iconic image -- of American exuberance as a long and brutal war came to an end. More recently it has been examined more critically, revealed as a troublingly celebratory record of a strong man taking advantage of a nonconsenting woman. It remains one of the most iconic images of 20th century photojournalism, and it was shot 77 years ago this month on August 14, 1945, when Japan's unconditional surrender to the Allies ended World War II and Americans across the country took to the streets to celebrate V-J Day -- Victory Over Japan Day.