The Kissing Statue
Visit the Unconditional Surrender AKA “The Kissing Statue” along the downtown waterfront, next to the USS Midway. The 25-foot installation recreates the famous embrace between a sailor and a nurse celebrating the end of World War II in New York’s Times Square in 1945. The 7-ton bronze statue, designed by artist Seward Johnson, was created in New Jersey and transported to San Diego on a flatbed truck. The exhibit has become a favorite photo op in San Diego, with visitors of all ages, from teenagers to grandparents, eager to recreate the kiss. Local San Diegans see the statue as a memorial, as a tribute, and a testament to those who serve our country in uniform.