Updated Feb. 23, 2024 at 12:15 p.m.
On this day in 1945, the American flag was raised at Iwo Jima to signal the capture of Mount Suribachi, the highest point on the island, by U.S. Marines during the Battle of Iwo Jima. The moment was captured in what is one of the most iconic war photographs ever taken.
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What was the Battle of Iwo Jima?
The Battle of Iwo Jima was a major battle fought during World War II in the Pacific between the United States and Japan. It took place on the island of Iwo Jima, located about 750 miles south of Tokyo. Iwo Jima was strategically important for the United States because it provided a critical location for airfields that could be used as a base for bombing raids on Japan.
How did the American victory at Iwo Jima impact the war?
The American victory at Iwo Jima was a major turning point in the war in the Pacific. The capture of the island gave the United States a critical base from which to launch bombing raids on the Japanese mainland, which helped bring the war to a close. The image of U.S. troops raising the flag on Mount Suribachi became an iconic symbol of American victory and military sacrifice.
Who took the photograph of the flag-raising at Iwo Jima?
The iconic photograph of the flag-raising was taken by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal. The photograph rapidly became iconic after it was published in newspapers and magazines all over the world, and came to be seen as a symbol of American patriotism and sacrifice. It won the Pulitzer Prize for Photography in 1945.