16. “Flower Power” photograph turns a tense situation into a message of love.
This iconic anti-war photo was taken by photojournalist, Bernie Boston, on October 22, 1967, during the anti-war March on the Pentagon. At first Boston’s photo wasn’t recognised by his employer, the Washington Star, as being as significant as the image would later become. It did not feature prominently in the newspaper but would later earn Boston recognition and international acclaim. The photo was a 1967 Pulitzer Prize finalist and won a number of other photography competitions.
During the peaceful protest organized by the National Mobilization Committee to End the War in Vietnam, Boston, who was sitting on the wall of the main entrance to the Pentagon, watched as a National Guard lieutenant and his men formed a semi-circle around the protestors and aimed their rifles at them. The situation was defused when anti-war protestor George Harris, coolly and calmly began placing carnations in the gun barrels of the soldier’s rifles.
Where did we find this stuff? Here are our sources:
“New York Stories: How a celebrated image marking V-J Day in Times Square has taken on a sinister shade.” Andy Martino, nydailynews.com. September 2, 2016.
“Joe Rosenthal and the flag-raising on Iwo Jima.” Pulitzer.org.
“Wait for me, Daddy.” rarehistoricalphotos.com. October 22, 2016.
“Meet the people behind a famous D.C. photo.” John Kelly, washingtonpost.com. September 22, 2012.
“The Falling Man – An unforgettable story.” Tom Junod, esquire.com. September 9, 2016.
“Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka.” Encyclopedia Britannica.
“4 Children for Sale,” 1948. Rarehistoricalphotos.com.
“Finding peace in a life sold for $2.” Nypost.com. July 14, 2013.
“Tank Man.” 100photos.time.com.
“Saigon Execution.” 100photos.time.com.