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Last Saturday people gathered for a kiss-in in New York's famous Times Square. It was more than a little strange in as much as the event was both a re-enactment and a commemoration. However, as kiss-ins go, this has some history behind it.
More importantly it commemorated the 65th anniversary of V-J Day. The celebrations were to mark the day, 65 years ago, that Japan surrendered and which ultimately ended the Second World War. As such it both commemorates the end of the biggest conflict in human history, the lives lost during the war and those saved due to its end.
(thanks Robert-John)
1 comment(s):
I live in Rhode Island and I'm proud that I live in the only state that still celebrates V-J day. It's come under attack for being anti-Japanese and although I can see how it might seem so, I think calling it anti-Japanese demonstrates a gross misunderstanding of the history behind the date. Then again, the people wanting to get rid of the holiday here seem to be the same people who want to change the name from "The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations" to just "Rhode Island" because they argue the "Providence Plantations" aspect is offensive...
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