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These are the top 50 historic moments Brits wish they'd witnessed

AP
AP

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:

  1. England winning the 1966 World Cup

  2. Live Aid, 1985

  3. The fall of the Berlin Wall, 1989

  4. The launch of Apollo 11, 1969

  5. Queen Elizabeth II Royal Coronation, 1953

  6. The London Olympic Games Opening Ceremony, 2012

  7. The Beatles playing on the rooftop of Apple Offices, 1969

  8. Usain Bolt 100m win, 2012

  9. The construction of Stonehenge, 3100 BC

  10. Andrew Murray wins Wimbledon, 2013

  11. Torvill and Dean Olympic ice skating performance, 1984

  12. The Christmas truce between the German and Allied Lines in No Man's Land, 1914

  13. Woodstock, 1969

  14. The launch of the Titanic, 1911

  15. The final stone placed on the Pyramids of Giza, 2490 BC

  16. Mo Farah 5,000m and 10,000m double victory, 2012

  17. The birth of Jesus Christ, 4 BC

  18. A Gladiator fight in the Coliseum, 264 BC

  19. Elvis Presley, Hawaii concert, 1973

  20. V-E Day, 1945

  21. Michael Jackson, Wembley Stadium concert, 1988

  22. An original Shakespeare play performed at The Globe, 1599

  23. Winston Churchill House of Commons speech, 1940

  24. The Wright Brothers' first flight at Kitty Hawk, 1903

  25. Johnny Cash, San Quentin Prison concert 1969

  26. David Bowie performing at the Rainbow Theatre, 1972

  27. Man’s discovery of fire, early Stone Age

  28. The eruption of Mount Vesuvius, 79 AD

  29. Andrew Murray wins first Grand Slam against Novak Djokovic, 2012

  30. Roger Bannister breaking the four-minute mile, 1954

  31. England winning the rugby world cup, 2003

  32. Ian Botham’s Ashes victory, 1981

  33. Jessica Ennis wins Olympic Heptathlon, 2012

  34. Bjorn Borg v John McEnroe Wimbledon final, 1980

  35. The Rolling Stones, Hyde Park concert, 1969

  36. The signing of The Magna Carta, 1215

  37. Rumble in the Jungle - Ali vs Foreman, 1974

  38. Red Rum's Third Grand National victory, 1977

  39. England defeat Germany 5-1, 2001

  40. The Great Fire of London, 1666

  41. The funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, 1997

  42. Armistice Day, 1918

  43. Jesse Owens winning four Olympic golds, 1936

  44. Hearing Beethoven's 9th symphony performed in Vienna, 1924

  45. Steve Redgrave winning his fifth gold medal, 2000

  46. England winning the Ashes, 2005

  47. Bob Marley, Lyceum Theatre concert, 1975

  48. Eddie 'The Eagle' Edwards competing in Winter Olympics ski jump, 1988

  49. Led Zeppelin, Royal Albert Hall concert, 1970

  50. The signing of the Declaration of Independence, 1776