The Ten Most Iconic Photos Of The 1940s

By All That's Interesting | Edited By John Kuroski

Published June 18, 2012

Updated July 25, 2019

The Most Iconic Photos Of The 1940s: D-Day, 1944

Omaha Beach D-Day Photograph

Taken by Robert Capa, the iconic D-Day photograph depicts the bloody World War Two front at Omaha Beach. The eerie, blurred image may have been produced by an eager assistant who melted the exposures together, but that only adds to the haunting depiction of the chaos of war.

The Most Iconic Photos Of The 1940s: V-J Day, 1945

The Most Iconic Photos Of The 1940s VJ Day

This iconic photo depicts the jubilance and relief expressed throughout America when armistice was declared in World War Two. Contrary to popular opinion, the two in the picture were not lovers; the soldier was jubilantly planting kisses on women in Times Square – this lucky nurse was just one of them.

Raising The Soviet Flag On The Reichstag, 1945

Depicting Soviet troops raising their flag atop the German Reichstag building, this iconic photo was taken by Yevgeny Khaldei during the Battle of Berlin on May 2, 1945.

Considered one of the most popular and identifiable images of war, the photo was so popular because the usurpation of the historically significant building symbolized the downfall the Soviets’ enemy. The takedown occurred after a lengthy and bloody battle within the buildings walls.

author

Established in 2010, All That's Interesting brings together a dedicated staff of digital publishing veterans and subject-level experts in history, true crime, and science. From the lesser-known byways of human history to the uncharted corners of the world, we seek out stories that bring our past, present, and future to life. Privately-owned since its founding, All That's Interesting maintains a commitment to unbiased reporting while taking great care in fact-checking and research to ensure that we meet the highest standards of accuracy.

editor

John Kuroski is the editorial director of All That's Interesting. He graduated from New York University with a degree in history, earning a place in the Phi Alpha Theta honor society for history students. An editor at All That's Interesting since 2015, his areas of interest include modern history and true crime.