Historical Moments That Shaped the World in Pictures

Published on 01/21/2025
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Burst of Joy, 1973

Titled “Burst of Joy,” this iconic photograph captures a deeply emotional moment as Lt. Col. Robert L. Stirm returns home from the Vietnam War in 1973. Taken by photographer Slava “Sal” Veder, the image was shot at Travis Air Force Base in California, marking the end of Stirm’s harrowing five-and-a-half years as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam. The photo radiates pure elation, with Stirm’s daughter Lorrie seen leaping toward him, arms outstretched, while the rest of his family beams with happiness. Celebrated worldwide, the image poignantly embodies the complex emotions of war—joy, relief, and the lingering shadows of hardship.

Burst Of Joy, 1973

Burst Of Joy, 1973

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