A Poignant Look at New Yorkers Celebrating VJ Day 70 Years Ago Today — in Color

Cameras were rolling everywhere 70 years ago today to capture for posterity the historic occasion when the United States celebrated VJ Day — victory over Japan, effectively ending World War II.

But one city's joyous reaction always seemed to put a stamp on that moment in the most memorable fashion.

So here's a slice of what New York City looked like on Aug. 15, 1945, as people flooded the streets and gathered, laughed, smiled and kissed and hugged total strangers.

And while so much of that period was documented in black and white, check out what a difference it makes watching the festivities in color:

—

Follow Dave Urbanski (@DaveVUrbanski) on Twitter