Global events bring us closer together. We remember where we were, what we were doing, and who we were with when the big stories broke – and thanks to today's digital networks, world news is now something we all experience together. Corbis is proud to retain thousands of memorable images from history; from people's revolutions to red carpet moments, from sporting triumphs to natural disasters. We'll be posting these at Remember When, helping to connect everyone with heart-stopping historical moments through Corbis's archive. Do you remember when?


Click on the images to write comments of your own memories and upload your own images of this event.

  • The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami
December 2004
The world’s deadliest natural disaster for at least a quarter of a century devastated the Indian Ocean region on Boxing Day 2004: the 3rd largest earthquake ever recorded, and a destructive tsunami with waves as high as 30 metres. Over 230,000 people died as the disaster hit countries as far flung as Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Tanzania – an unimaginable humanitarian and environmental catastrophe. Did you know anyone affected by the tsunami?
  • The climax of the Iranian Revolution
December 1978
In the late 1970s the people of Iran began to protest against the leadership of the Shah, whom they saw as both a brutal dictator and a Westernising influence. On December 11th 1978, several million people marched through Iran to demand his removal from power; one historian described it as “the largest protest event in history”. The following year, Iran became an Islamic republic. Do you remember the final days of the Shah?
  • The death of John Lennon
December 1980
The world of music was plunged into mourning on December 8th 1980 as the news emerged that John Lennon, former singer of The Beatles, had been shot dead outside his apartment in New York City after returning from a recording session with his wife, Yoko Ono. Mark David Chapman, a troubled fan of Lennon’s, was later convicted of his murder and remains in prison. Do you remember hearing the news?
  • The last manned Moon mission
December 1972
Landing a man on the moon was an ambition realised by NASA in 1969, but by 1972 lunar expeditions were deemed too expensive. Apollo 17 – launched on December 7th of that year – was the final manned moon mission; Gene Cernan, Ronald Evans and Harrison Schmitt were the three astronauts, with Cernan the last man to walk on the moon’s surface. What are your memories of the Apollo programme?
  • London protests at the visit of George W Bush
November 2003
George W. Bush’s trip to the UK in 2003 was the first full state visit made by a US president. But over 100,000 protestors, led by the Stop The War Coalition, would ensure that the visit was remembered for all the wrong reasons. They took to the streets of London on November 20 for a march that culminated with the toppling of an effigy of Bush in Trafalgar Square. Do you remember that visit?
  • The Browns move to Baltimore
November 1995
Following years of financial losses, the owner of the Cleveland Browns, Art Modell, announced to the club’s fans on November 6, 1995 that the team would be relocating to Baltimore for the following season. There was a huge outcry, with protests staged, injunctions filed, and sponsorship withdrawn – but it had little effect, and the team was rechristened the Baltimore Ravens. Were you a Browns fan at the time?
  • The fall of the Berlin Wall
November 1989
The starkest symbol of the Cold War was the Berlin Wall, designed by the communist government of East Germany (GDR) to cut off the enclave of West Berlin from the outside world. Resentment against it grew for nearly 40 years, but on November 9, 1989, a weakened GDR government was finally forced to open the gates and allow people through. Do you remember that astonishing night?
  • The assassination of Yitzhak Rabin
November 1993
The Oslo Accord, signed in August 1993 by PLO chairman Yasser Arafat, US President Bill Clinton, and Israeli Prime Minister, Yitzhak Rabin, was a bold attempt to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But it made Rabin deeply unpopular among right-wing Israelis and at a rally in support of the Accord, a student, Yigal Amir, shot Rabin dead. Was this the last chance for peace in the Middle East?
  • Pro-Vietnam War march draws 25,000
October 1965
US involvement in the Vietnam War grew quickly in the early 1960s; this in turn led to widespread protests back home and calls from a number of prominent figures for troops to withdraw. But many Americans supported the action; 25,000 people marched in Washington DC on October 30th 1965 to show solidarity with their government and the military. What are your views on the Vietnam conflict?
  • Hurricane Mitch causes devastation
October 1998
The deadliest hurricane to hit the Western hemisphere for over 200 years, Hurricane Mitch brought widespread destruction to Central America in late October 1998, killing over 18,000 people. Sustained winds of 285km/h swept across Honduras, Nicaragua and Guatemala, leaving 2.7 million more people homeless. Did you know anyone affected by the disaster?

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