OJ Simpson's trial and Princess Diana's wedding among the 10 most televised events in US history.

Two of the most viewed TV events in history are the Super Bowl halftime shows and Queen Elizabeth II's funeral.

OJ Simpson's trial and Princess Diana's wedding among the 10 most televised events in US history.
OJ Simpson's trial and Princess Diana's wedding among the 10 most televised events in US history.

History's most significant moments have been captured and shared with the American public through the powerful medium of television.

These televised events, ranging from groundbreaking achievements to heartbreaking tragedies, have indelibly etched themselves into the collective memory of the nation.

The royal wedding of Princess Diana and Prince Charles on July 29, 1981, broke tradition and captured the hearts of 750 million viewers worldwide.

The iconic event, symbolizing the union of two individuals, became a cultural phenomenon, influencing fashion, inspiring countless fairy-tale narratives, and leaving an indelible mark on the collective memory of those who witnessed it.

This moment in history, marked by the grand ceremony and global fascination with the royal couple, will forever be remembered as a timeless and significant event.

Prince Charles kissing Princess Diana's hand on their wedding day
The Prince and Princess of Wales on the balcony of Buckingham Palace on their wedding day, July 29, 1981. (Terry Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images)

On July 20, 1969, the Apollo 11 mission, led by astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins, resulted in humanity's first steps on the moon.

According to The National Air and Space Museum, an estimated 650 million people watched as Armstrong declared, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."

People gathered to watch the moon landing and walk in 1969.
A giant TV screen in Trafalgar Square allowed people to watch the moon landing and walk. (Kaye/Daily Herald/Mirrorpix via Getty Images)

The live broadcast of this groundbreaking event, which demonstrated the capabilities of space exploration, sparked a sense of awe and motivation that persists to this day.

The O.J. Simpson trial, which ended with his acquittal of murder charges on October 3, 1995, left a lasting impact on popular culture.

Although the event occurred at 10:00 AM PST on a Tuesday, a significant number of people watched the jury's decision. Adults left their work and students left their classrooms as 150 million viewers – 57% of the country – gathered around TV screens, according to Vanity Fair.

O.J. Simpson reacts to the not guilty verdict
O.J. Simpson listens to the not guilty verdict with his attorneys F. Lee Bailey, left, and Johnnie Cochran Jr. (Myung J. Chun/AFP via Getty Images)

The trial's live broadcast and conclusion brought to light the intersection of celebrity, race, and the legal system.

The most-watched program in Super Bowl history was Super Bowl LVIII, hosted at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada on Feb. 11, 2024, with an average of 123.4 million viewers across all platforms, up +7% from the previous record of 115.1 million viewers, according to NFL Football Operations.

The Super Bowl LVIII match was between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers, and numerous celebrities were present in Las Vegas for the big game.

During the NFL season, Taylor Swift was frequently featured on television as a celebrity. In the early fall, she began attending Chiefs games to watch her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, play. She was present at Super Bowl LVIII with friends Blake Lively and Ice Spice.

In a five-year period, the Chiefs joined the exclusive club of NFL teams that have won three Super Bowls, with only four other teams achieving this feat, as per the league.

The halftime show featured Usher, along with special guests Alicia Keys, H.E.R., will.i.am, Ludacris, Lil Jon and more.

The Super Bowl halftime show is a significant televised event, with 121 million viewers tuning in to watch Rihanna's 2023 performance during Super Bowl LVII, making it the most-watched halftime show in history.

These annual events, known for their memorable performances, controversial moments, and star-studded lineups, have become pop culture sensations, drawing in millions of viewers.

Nearly 3,000 Americans lost their lives in terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

The nation's shared anguish and resilience were expressed through television as they witnessed unprecedented events.

World Trade Center 9/11
A hijacked plane crashes into the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. (Seth McAllister/AFP via Getty Images)

On the night of Sept. 11, 2001, Nielsen estimated that at least 80 million Americans watched the evening news, while an estimate by the University of Georgia held that about two billion people either watched the attacks in real time or through the news.

The Beatles' performance on "The Ed Sullivan Show" on February 9, 1964, was a significant cultural milestone, attracting an unprecedented television audience.

The "British Invasion" was in full swing, and this televised event significantly influenced the direction of popular music.

According to the Ed Sullivan website, "The Ed Sullivan Show" attracted 73 million viewers, making it the most-watched television event of its time.

The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show
The Beatles performing on "The Ed Sullivan Show," in February 1964. (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

The assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas, Texas, was broadcast live on television, changing the way Americans receive news.

In 1963, 47.2% of U.S. households had their TVs on at 12:30 p.m. on November 24th, just after Jack Ruby assassinated Lee Harvey Oswald on live TV in the Dallas Police Headquarters basement.

JFK and Jackie Kennedy sitting next to each other in Texas before the president was assassinated
President John F. Kennedy was assassinated on Nov. 22, 1963, in downtown Dallas, Texas, while riding in a convertible. (Getty Images)

The vivid images and extensive reporting left an indelible mark on the country, evoking a shared feeling of sorrow and despair.

Citizens have the opportunity to view presidential debates, which consistently attract large television viewerships and allow candidates to discuss important issues.

The televised debates significantly impact public opinion and election results.

According to data from The Library of Congress, the first televised presidential debate took place on Sept. 26, 1960, and an estimated 60-70 million viewers watched. These debates, which became known as "the Great Debates," were a significant moment in American political history.

The funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away on Sept. 8, 2022, after 70 years as monarch, was held on Sept. 19, 2022, at London's Westminster Abbey and was transmitted globally.

The Nielsen ratings agency reported that about 11.4 million people in the US watched Queen Elizabeth's funeral, marking the first time TV cameras were allowed at a British monarch's funeral.

by Maeghan Dolph

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