History of Kiss in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: November 21, 2025

A kiss involves the touching or pressing of lips against another person, animal, or object. Its cultural significance is diverse, reflecting emotions like love, passion, affection, respect, or serving as a greeting. The meaning of a kiss varies with culture and context, potentially indicating sexual attraction or arousal, or simply conveying good luck. In certain settings, it functions as a formal, ritualistic, or symbolic act of devotion or respect.

1931: Kissing scene censored in Japanese film

In 1931, a kissing scene in an early Japanese film was censored after being screened in Tokyo, leading to the film's confiscation.

1934: Production Code restricts kissing in films

In 1934, the film industry began adhering to the Production Code, which restricted "excessive and lustful kissing" in movies. Kissing scenes were shortened, and actors were required to keep their feet on the ground while kissing.

1935: Love as the most important theme in movies

In 1935, surveys indicated that love was the most prevalent theme in movies. During the 1930s, approximately 95% of films featured romance as a significant plot element.

1946: American censor requires kissing scene in Japanese film

During the American occupation of Japan in 1946, an American censor mandated the inclusion of a kissing scene in a Japanese film, encouraging the public expression of affection.

1997: Documented case of HIV transmission by kissing

In 1997, there was a documented case of HIV transmission through kissing. Both individuals had gum disease, and the transmission occurred through blood contact, not saliva.

1998: Forced-tongue-kissing prosecuted as rape in the Netherlands

From 1998, forced-tongue-kissing was prosecuted as rape in the Netherlands.

2007: Public kissing results in jail time in Dubai

In 2007, two individuals in Dubai were fined and imprisoned for a month due to kissing and hugging in public.

2017: Forced-tongue-kissing reclassified as sexual assault in the Netherlands

In 2017, the Dutch Supreme Court ruled that forced-tongue-kissing should be viewed as a potential form of sexual assault, carrying a maximum eight-year prison sentence.