The Anniversary of Iwo Jima Photograph



Some soldiers gather around the photograph area.

The most famous photo, and arguable the most inspiring in war history is 70 years old. This moment of five U.S. Marines and a Navy sailor raising an American flag over the battle field of a Japanese island, Iwo Jima, was captured by Joe Rosenthal. He made the climb up the mountain after those groups of marines on February 23, 1945. This photograph went viral, and caused a spark of nationalism in the United States during WWII.  Right after the flag was put up, whistles and gunfire began to go off. They were Americans all over the island were celebrating. This had caused some gunfire from the Japanese soldiers still alive; when the Rosenthal jumped to the floor he had smashed his camera. The men though recovered, and soon after set up for a second chance at a revolutionary photograph.