Why 70-year-old Iwo Jima photo became iconic

Photos:
This iconic photo, taken February 23, 1945, by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal, shows six US Marines raising the American flag over the battle-scarred Japanese island of Iwo Jima. But it wasn't the first flag raised over Iwo Jima that day, and Rosenthal wasn't the only one there taking photos.
Hide Caption
1 of 11

Photos:
Marine Sgt. Louis Lowery, a photographer for Leatherneck magazine, captured this image of Marines raising an American flag for the first time atop Iwo Jima's Mount Suribachi on February 23, 1945. A strange series of events, however, made this photo less well-known than Rosenthal's.
Hide Caption
2 of 11

Photos:
Another Lowery image of the first flag-raising. A short time later, the Marines were ordered to replace the first flag with a bigger one so more people could see it.
Hide Caption
3 of 11

Photos:
After the first flag-raising, Marines stand near Old Glory as it waves in the wind.
Hide Caption
4 of 11

Photos:
Marine Pfc. Bob Campbell shot this photo of Rosenthal standing with Marines near the first flag. Rosenthal can be seen waving his camera in the air.
Hide Caption
5 of 11

Photos:
This image, from a 16mm film shot by Marine Sgt. William Genaust, shows Marines beginning to raise the second flag.