Edith Shain
USABiography of Edith Shain
Edith Shain (unknown – June 23, 2010) was an American nurse best known as the heroine of the legendary photograph taken by Alfred Eisenstaedt, titled "V-J Day in Times Square". The photograph captured an American sailor kissing a young woman in a white dress. Taken on August 14, 1945, the photo was published in the magazine "Life" a week later. The image soon became a true legend and is still frequently referenced in various artistic works.
Discovery of Edith Shain
In the 1970s, Edith Shain revealed herself as the woman in the white dress and wrote to Eisenstaedt, sharing the story behind the photograph. At the time the photo was taken, Edith was working as a nurse in a London hospital. On August 14, when the radio announced that World War II had finally ended, Edith and her friends went to Times Square, where many people had gathered to celebrate the end of the war. As soon as she emerged from the subway, a sailor grabbed her and kissed her. Edith later mentioned that she did not oppose the kiss, as the sailor had fought for her and her country. For many years, Shain kept this story a secret and only decided to share it nearly thirty years later.
The Search for the Sailor
After Edith Shain came forward, journalists launched an investigation to determine the sailor's identity. The magazine "Life" published an appeal to the sailor in its August 1980 issue. In the October issue, the editors admitted that they had received letters from eleven men and three women claiming to be the main characters in the photo. Among the candidates for the role of the nurse were Greta Friedman, Barbara Sokol, and Edith Shain. Despite multiple theories and candidates, the true identity of the mysterious sailor could never be confirmed. Edith briefly dated one of the candidates, a former policeman named Carl Muscarello, but later admitted that she could not remember if she had kissed him in Times Square.
Recognition and Legacy
Shain was eventually recognized as the real nurse in the photograph. She became a sort of celebrity in the country and a symbol of victory in the legendary war. She was regularly invited to various ceremonial events honoring World War II veterans. Edith passed away on June 20, 2010, at the age of 91.
