The Best at their Best

George Foreman was undefeated after 40 fights. Even better, he had won 37 of those 40 fights by knockout. In the years prior to his fight with Muhammed Ali he had knocked out both Ken Norton and Joe Fraizer in the second round, the only two fighters who had beaten Muhammed Ali.

Muhammed Ali was past his prime. He was still good, his recent victory in the rematch against Joe Fraizer proved that, but he wasn't at his best. Many expected him to be crushed.

This fight also marked the arrival of charismatic and controversial boxing promotor, Don King, as a major influence in the sport. Don King used linkes with Zaire to hold the fight in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The locals heavily supported Muhammed Ali, cheering every punch he landed, which up until the 8th round wasn't many.

See the rest for yourself:

Muhammed Ali -vs- George Foreman, 8th round (embedding sadly disabled).

"This is the most joyous scene every seen in the history of boxing. This is an incredible scene, the place is going wild. Muhammad Ali has won, Muhammad Ali has won by a knock down. The thing they said was impossible, he's done."

On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. stood before 250,000 people outside the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC.

It represented the pint-point culmination of problems caused by racial integration throughout the United States of America.

If ever a killer speech was needed, this was it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbUtL_0vAJk

Less than a year after this speech, the Civil Rights Act was passed banning segregation in school and public places. In 1965, the Voting Rights Act was passed, outlawing literacy tests as a requirement to vote.

At the festival that defined a movement, Jimi Hendrix defined the festival.

Was he higher than a kite? Probably. Did he completely lose himself in the music? Definitely. Do people still talk about it? Always.

Often remembered as the finest guitar solo of all time, Jimi Hendrix took the stage of Woodstock and solo'ed his way into eternity.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KolK51zxets&feature=related

On April 26, 1937, 28 Nazi-Germany bombers destroyed the city of Guernica. Up to 1600 people were killed in the attack. The Spanish Civil War had taken a heavy toll on the country, the Second Republic were losing.

Two days later, Franco's army took the town.

Picasso, the country's foremost artist, had been commissioned by the Spanish Republican government to paint a huge mural for the Spanish Pavillian at the 1936 World Fair in Paris.

Picasso needed something that would reflect the suffering of his countrymen. He needed a painting that would bring the conflict to worldwide attention. He needed to produce something brilliant.

He produced the Guernica, a painting which has transcended it's event, a painting that today reflects the suffering, horror and ultimate futility of war.

A tapestry copy of the Guernica hangs on the wall of the United Nations building in New York City, for many years it served as a reminder of war.

When Colin Powell stood before the United Nations to argue for an invasion of Iraq, it was covered.

This was a toss up between 3 big choices. The first was the 1984 launch of the Mac, the second was the 1997 return of Steve Jobs - his return speech in which he had to announce a partnership with Microsoft. The final option was the 2007 iPhone launch - commended by many as a brilliant speech.

I'm going with the 1984 launch of the Mac. The simple reason is the reaction of the crowd. It might not fully represent the full range of Steve Jobs' presenting abilities, but it does represent his ability to be one and the same with the crowd. The pleasure on his face is unmistakable, close to tears perhaps.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0FtgZNOD44

In 2002, David Beckham was the most famous footballer in the world. His crosses were legendary, and free-kicks deadly.

England's qualification campaign for the 2002 world cup had been dismal. They needed a tie in the final game against Greece to qualify. England took the lead through a Sheringham goal, but Greece scored twice late on.

In the final minute of the game (3rd minute of injury time) England were awarded a free kick 27 years out.

David Beckham stepped up and placed the ball. The 60,000 strong crowd at Old Trafford held their breath.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKDvtnEhLP0

Al Pacino and Robert De Niro had come a long way since The Godfather II. They were the two modern greats of cinema, Al Pacino had gone on to Scarface, Serpico and Calito's Way, De Niro had wowed audiences in Raging Bull, Goodfellas and Casino.

They were the best. By some miracle, Michael Mann had finally brought the two collosus together. Michael Mann, a rising star from the success of Manhunter and Last of the Mohicans, had might expectations to fulfil.

How would he handle the scene everyone wanted most, the first on-screen meeting of the world's two most famous actors.

Nobody was expecting something this elegant. A brilliantly directed and acted depiction, based largely in a coffee house.

It's explosively elegant. All 3 at the very top of their game.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFh8A6t9_N0

Ricky Gervais was the world's pre-eminent comedian. His comedy series, The Office, was critically acclaimed on both sides of the Atlantic. Now, Ricky had turned his attention to live shows, a field in which he had previously failed. Success would distinguish his abilities far above those of his contemporaries, failure would give rise to criticism about lacking impromptu ability.

His performance was Animals.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaEj3g5GOYA&NR=1