Raising a flag over the Reichstag

Yevgeny Khaldei’s "Raising a Flag over the Reichstag" is arguably the single most iconic photograph of World War II, symbolizing the final, decisive Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in 1945. This photo is a staged masterpiece, not an instantaneous capture. Khaldei rushed to Berlin, carrying a Soviet flag made from a tablecloth, intending to document the moment of triumph. He directed the soldiers to pose on the roof of the ruined Reichstag building, which was the symbolic heart of the enemy. The dark, cloudy sky and the visible destruction frame the triumphant act. Crucially, the image was heavily edited before its initial release—smoke was added for drama, and one soldier's wristwatches (implying looting) were retouched out. Therefore, its meaning is powerful: it served as a massive propaganda tool for the Soviet Union, announcing their hard-won victory and immense sacrifice to the world. It’s a manufactured image of unyielding Soviet power that has defined the memory of the German surrender.