Actual 1945 photo and 2010 statue

If you’ll be in New York City,  join in on the celebration of the 65th anniversary of the end of World War II. While many activities marked the victory during August, WWII officially ended on September 2, 1945.

The city’s famous focal point, Times Square, now features a giant 26-foot statue created by sculptor Seward Johnson, based on a Life photographer’s famous sailor-nurse kissing scene photo on what was called VJ Day, marking Japan's surrender. You can’t miss it if you’ll be near 44th Street and Broadway.

In mid-August, the city put on its annual Kiss-In on Times Square, and thousands of kissing couples showed up by the statue to imitate the historic moment. The participants ranged from young GIs just back from Iraq and Afghanistan, all the way back to WWII veterans who were actually there on the Square celebrating on that joyful day.