The Nielson Company recently did a survey of 1000 Americans to determine what were the most powerful moments in television history. The results ranged from 1963 through this year with the coverage of the September, 2011 attacks ranking number one.

 

News coverage of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the verdict in the O.J. Simpson murder trial in 1995 -- he was acquitted of murdering his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman -- rank second and third, respectively. The explosion of the Challenger space shuttle in 1986 and the death of Osama bin Laden last year round out the top five.

The highest-ranking entertainment-related moment, at #11, is the coverage of Whitney Houston's death this past February. Here's the list with the year it took place:

1. September 11th tragedy (2001)
2. Hurricane Katrina (2005)
3. O.J. Simpson verdict (1995)
4. The Challenger space shuttle disaster (1986)
5. Death of Osama bin Laden (2011)
6. O.J. Simpson white Bronco chase (1994)
7. Earthquake in Japan (2011)
8. Columbine High School shooting (1999)
9. BP oil spill (2010)
10. Princess Diana's funeral (1997)
11. Death of Whitney Houston (2012)
12. Capture and execution of Saddam Hussein (2006)
13. Barack Obama's acceptance speech (2008)
14. The Royal Wedding (2011)
15. Assassination of John F. Kennedy (1963)
16. Oklahoma City bombing (1995)
17. Bush/Gore election results (2000)
18. L.A. riots (1992)
19. Casey Anthony verdict (2011)
20. Funeral of John F. Kennedy (1963)

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