Where were you when this happened? (part I)

We’ll never forget when these events happened. Today we’re counting down the top 10 moments that made the world stand still. For this list, I chosed global moments or events that are permanently burned into our minds and that have stood the test of time due to their impact on world history.

10) Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster - 1986

With teacher Christa McAuliffe on board and hundreds of schoolchildren watching in real-time, the Challenger launch was to be the first of its kind. Though CNN transmitted the sole live broadcast, news of the disaster spread like wildfire through other networks. Because the media focused on the story’s ‘human element’ and tragic moments for dramatic effect, it became a hot topic for several weeks and it changed future news reporting.

9) Munich Massacre - 1972

Since the initial attack on the Israeli athletes at the 1972 Summer Olympics by Black September took place in the wee hours of the morning, the cameras weren’t yet rolling. But once morning came along, the media covered the response so well that the Palestinian terrorists already knew when and how the German-border police were preparing to attack them! Unfortunately, the Munich Massacre resulted in the deaths of the hostages and several others.

8) Tiananmen Square Protests - 1989

As the Beijing student protests turned into the Tiananmen Square Massacre, the western world witnessed social unrest in a foreign and unreachable location for the first time via their TVs. Though most networks were barred from broadcasting the violent military crackdown, their real-time reporting went on to boost live television coverage of international events. It also influenced Western policymakers to implement economic sanctions and arms restrictions on China.

7) Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami - 2011

After the most powerful earthquake the country had ever seen struck an area near Tohoku, a potent tsunami washed over Japan and killed thousands. Japanese TV networks and CNN were there to capture this horrifying act of nature. Though the continuous footage of the destruction caused by the deadly waters shocked the world, the coverage also encouraged a massive worldwide relief response.

6) The Assassination/Funeral of John F. Kennedy - 1963

The assassination of the 35th President of the United States ushered in the age of TV news by giving people instant access to unfolding developments through moving pictures. Two days after JFK’s death, NBC aired continuous footage of the overnight public viewing. His funeral was then watched by approximately 180 million on television the next day. Millions later witnessed the shooting of sniper Lee Harvey Oswald in a real-time broadcast, as well.