Sports have always been one of the great equalizers – especially against rival countries. Here we see Canadian goalie Tony Esposito during the intense eight-game hockey series that pitted the Soviet Union against Canada in 1972. This heated series symbolically marked the seriousness of the Cold War and was one of the War’s signature head-to-head games, except it was fought on ice.
Called the Summit Series, the USSR dominated international hockey because the NHL was banned from playing, putting Canada at a severe disadvantage. Team Canada, led by Tony Esposito, the Hall of Fame goalie who won four games with one tied, while the Soviets won three games.
Willie Mays' Famous Catch
Willie Mays was simply referred to as "The Catch," with his famous over-the-shoulder basket catch. In the 1954 World Series Game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Indians, Mays stole Vic Wertz of a guaranteed extra-base hit in the eighth inning that kept the score tied at 2-2.
Right after Mays made the crazy save, he immediately spun around and threw the ball back to the infield as he knew the runners were advancing. The catch was made famous as The Giants went on to win the game in extra innings and the series in four games.
Ali's First Fight
After his promising amateur career, Ali took on Tunney Hunsaker, a policeman from West Virginia, in his first-ever professional fight. In front of a local crowd at Freedom Hall in Louisville, Ali won unanimously.
Soon after, the two opponents became good friends, but Ali was remembered as the greatest boxer of all time. In 1981, Ali retired from boxing, and just three years later, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. Ali passed away in Scottsdale Arizona in 1996, after a lengthy and difficult battle with the disease.
Super Bowl 1970
The final Super Bowl between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Minnesota Vikings was held on January 11, 1970. Many people thought the NFL to be the far-superior league, the Chiefs of the AFL dominated the game from the outset. And as of late, the Vikings still haven't won a Super Bowl.
Held in New Orleans' Tulane Stadium, the muddy game saw kicker No.3, Jan Stenerud hit three field goals and gained on two extra points. Stenerud was later elected into the Hall of Fame in 1991.
First World Series
The first World Series in recent history took place over a century ago, in 1903. The Boston Americans defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates in an exhausting nine-game series. Captured here, we see fans storming Boston's Huntington Avenue Grounds following Boston's victory in the series.
Today, the field is home to Boston University's sports teams. And while Hunting Avenue Grounds was a famous venue, the Red Sox moved to Fenway Park, an equally outstanding and impressive home field that has seen its fair share of World Series.