The stories we tell through historical images. This a series of photographs that tell the story of people and events that shaped America and continue to provide insight and knowledge to students today. 

Alfred Eisenstaedt was a German born photojournalist who was a key player in the start up of Life Magazine.

In 1935 his family immigrated to New York City, where he became one of the first four photographers hired by Life Magazine. He contributed more than 2,500 picture stories and 90 cover photos to Life.

Eisenstaedt photographed the famed first meeting between Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini in Italy, 1934. He also covered Joseph Goebbels at the League of Nations in Geneva, 1933.

Joan M. Marter on Eisenstaedt’s photography skills while working for life magazine.

“His photographs have a power and a symbolic resonance that made him one of the best Life photographers,” Marter said.

His most iconic image of the Sailor who approached a women stranger and got caught up in the jubilee of the war ending. This picture in Times Square during V-J day has become internationally known as the “picture that ended the war.”

“In Times Square on V-J Day I saw a sailor running along the street grabbing any and every girl in sight. Whether she was a grandmother, stout, thin, old, didn’t make a difference. I was running ahead of him with my Leica looking back over my shoulder but none of the pictures that were possible pleased me. Then suddenly, in a flash, I saw something white being grabbed. I turned around and clicked the moment the sailor kissed the nurse. If she had been dressed in a dark dress I would never have taken the picture. If the sailor had worn a white uniform, the same. I took exactly four pictures. It was done within a few seconds.” (Eisenstaedt account of the picture)

A statue has been made in San Diego recreating the scene between the sailor and the nurse. (Kiss Statue)

For more Feather photos, visit media, photos 2015-16.