These are the top 50 historic moments Brits wish they'd witnessed
There’s no doubt every one wishes they’d witness something that happened before their time whether it’s a historic moment, a sporting moment or a natural phenomenon.
Now, a new study has found out exactly which events most Brits wish they’d been there for and the results are somewhat surprising.
Britain’s love of sport is unwavering. Out of the top 50 moments, England winning the 1966 world cup came up trumps - beating the construction of Stonehenge, the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Greg Tatton-Brown from online live casino Casumo.com, which commissioned the study, said: “England’s victory over West Germany on the pitch in 1966 is held in high regard indeed, and is surely the most iconic moment in British sporting history.
“Still, our dedication to the beautiful game appears to eclipse even our curiosity to explore some of the unknown corners of history, from the construction of Stonehenge and the Pyramids, to the first moment man discovered fire.”
The countdown, which took in some of the most important moments in sport, music and history at large, found more Brits would go back to watch Torvill and Dean perform the Bolero at the 1984 Winter Olympics – than witness the birth of Jesus Christ.
Reflecting on the fact that many of these events have been broadcast, Greg Tatton-Brown highlights the power of a live event. “It’s interesting to see that many of the most popular events we would most like to go back and witness, in the moment, with our own eyes, have already been televised and analysed in great detail.
“But there’s something about the live experience, knowing that you are in the right place at the right time, witnessing history, which is very special.”
Browse the above gallery to revisit some of the most iconic moments in history - which would you have chosen to witness if given the chance?
Here is the list of top 50 historic moments Brits wish they'd witnessed in full:
England winning the 1966 World Cup
Live Aid, 1985
The fall of the Berlin Wall, 1989
The launch of Apollo 11, 1969
Queen Elizabeth II Royal Coronation, 1953
The London Olympic Games Opening Ceremony, 2012
The Beatles playing on the rooftop of Apple Offices, 1969
Usain Bolt 100m win, 2012
The construction of Stonehenge, 3100 BC
Andrew Murray wins Wimbledon, 2013
Torvill and Dean Olympic ice skating performance, 1984
The Christmas truce between the German and Allied Lines in No Man's Land, 1914
Woodstock, 1969
The launch of the Titanic, 1911
The final stone placed on the Pyramids of Giza, 2490 BC
Mo Farah 5,000m and 10,000m double victory, 2012
The birth of Jesus Christ, 4 BC
A Gladiator fight in the Coliseum, 264 BC
Elvis Presley, Hawaii concert, 1973
V-E Day, 1945
Michael Jackson, Wembley Stadium concert, 1988
An original Shakespeare play performed at The Globe, 1599
Winston Churchill House of Commons speech, 1940
The Wright Brothers' first flight at Kitty Hawk, 1903
Johnny Cash, San Quentin Prison concert 1969
David Bowie performing at the Rainbow Theatre, 1972
Man’s discovery of fire, early Stone Age
The eruption of Mount Vesuvius, 79 AD
Andrew Murray wins first Grand Slam against Novak Djokovic, 2012
Roger Bannister breaking the four-minute mile, 1954
England winning the rugby world cup, 2003
Ian Botham’s Ashes victory, 1981
Jessica Ennis wins Olympic Heptathlon, 2012
Bjorn Borg v John McEnroe Wimbledon final, 1980
The Rolling Stones, Hyde Park concert, 1969
The signing of The Magna Carta, 1215
Rumble in the Jungle - Ali vs Foreman, 1974
Red Rum's Third Grand National victory, 1977
England defeat Germany 5-1, 2001
The Great Fire of London, 1666
The funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, 1997
Armistice Day, 1918
Jesse Owens winning four Olympic golds, 1936
Hearing Beethoven's 9th symphony performed in Vienna, 1924
Steve Redgrave winning his fifth gold medal, 2000
England winning the Ashes, 2005
Bob Marley, Lyceum Theatre concert, 1975
Eddie 'The Eagle' Edwards competing in Winter Olympics ski jump, 1988
Led Zeppelin, Royal Albert Hall concert, 1970
The signing of the Declaration of Independence, 1776