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20 May 08 - 10:19 AM (#2345146) Subject: BS: Largest Gatherings in History From: GUEST,Fantasma OK, so after seeing the very impressive photos of the Portland Obama rally, I got curious. What are the largest gatherings in history? Well, according to the trusty wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_largest_gatherings_in_history They aren't in North America! I did see that Kerry pulled in an even larger crowd than Obama in Madison WI in 2004 (est 80,000). But that might be splitting hairs. Also, that was in the general election, and he had a real rock star as an attraction, Bruce Springsteen. Obama pulled 'em in all on his own. I find it very interesting the 2003 global anti-war rally in the run up to the conquering of Iraq by the US, wasn't nearly as big outside the "Western democracy" countries, as was the 2007 global anti-poverty rally. Certainly, far more of the globe has a stake in the latter than the former, so it makes perfect sense. I haven't found statistics of US presidential candidate rallies. I'll see if I can keep looking. Funerals too, would tell a story, ie the funerals of the presidents probably had hundreds of thousands involved but probably not in one place. |
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20 May 08 - 10:20 AM (#2345147) Subject: RE: BS: Largest Gatherings in History From: GUEST,Fantasma Common Dreams article about the anti-poverty global rallies: http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/10/19/4684/ |
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20 May 08 - 10:32 AM (#2345152) Subject: RE: BS: Largest Gatherings in History From: GUEST,Fantasma Here's some cool ones w/photos: http://weburbanist.com/2008/03/16/3-incredible-gatherings-large-strange-and-scary/ |
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20 May 08 - 10:50 AM (#2345172) Subject: RE: BS: Largest Gatherings in History From: Amos In January 2007, more than 70 million Hindu pilgrims from around the world gathered at Allahabad (also known as Hindu holy city of Prayaga) in India for the Ardh Kumbh Mela, the world's largest religious festival and also the world's largest gathering. [10] In April 2004, Around 30 million Hindu pilgrims from all over the world travelled to Hindu holy city of Ujjain in India for the Simhastha Kumbh Mela.[11] In 1969 the funeral of C. N. Annadurai, a former Chief Minister of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, was attended by an estimated crowd of 15 million people. On August 18, 1966, there was a mass gathering of Red Guards at Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China. The Gathering was estimated to be about 1 million people. From August to the end of November there were an additional seven such rallies, totaling 11 million people.[3] In 2008, 9 million Shia pilgrims visited the shrine of Imam Hussein in Karbala, Iraq, in the anniversary of Arba'een. 80 thousand of which were non-Iraqi ; mostly Iranians. On 14 January 2007, 5 million Hindu pilgrims paid homage at Sabarimala shrine in Kerala, India. 5 million people attended the closing Mass of Catholic World Youth Day 1995 in Manila, Philippines. More than 5 million people are reported to have attended the funeral of Pope John Paul II in Rome on 7 April 2005.[citation needed] The 5 February 1975 funeral of Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum in Cairo drew a crowd in excess of 4 million. The crowd at the funeral of Egyptian President Nasser in Cairo on 1 October 1970 was estimated at 4 million. The Bishwa Ijtema, an annual Tablighi Jamaat Islamic movement congregation held at Tongi, Bangladesh in 2007 had attendees of about 3 million. The funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales at Westminster Abbey, London on 6 September 1997, drew an estimated 3 million mourners An estimated 3 million people attended the New Life Korea conference hosted by Campus Crusade for Christ International in 1980, with Billy Graham as final day speaker. Almost 3 million people attended the annual Feast of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila on January 2008. An estimated 2.56 million pilgrims made the annual Hajj to Mecca in January, 2005. An estimated 2.5 million people from 144 countries are claimed to have participated in Silver jubilee celebrations of the Art of Living founded by Hindu spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in Bangalore, India on 17 February-19 February 2006. Benny Hinn has had several crusades where more than 2 million gathered. An estimated 2 million people gather in the largest gay pride celebration in the world in São Paulo, Brazil. On January 1948, over 2 million people gathered to attend the funeral of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi On March 23, 2002, an estimated 2 million people gathered in Rome, Italy to rally in defense of workers rights.[The organizers announced that 3 million people took part in the rally. On 4 February 2008, between 1 million[13] and 2 million[14] Colombians gathered in Bogotá to protest against FARC. On August 25, 2007, over 1 million revellers attended Love Parade in Essen, Germany. On February 23, 1997, 1.5 million Hindu women gathered at the Attukal Temple for what was until then, the largest gathering of women in history and earned the temple a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records (. They brought cooking pots with which they prepared food as an offering to please a goddess. On 14 March 2005, an estimated number of 1.5 million Lebanese demonstrate in Beirut's city centre during the Cedar revolution after ex-prime minister Hariri's assassination on 14 February. In February, 2006, 1.5 million Hindu pilgrims in Malaysia gathered for the Thaipusam festival at Batu Caves. On 14 April 2007, 300 thousand to 1.5 million Turkish people gathered in Ankara to protect Secularism and to protest the government for their Islamic roots. On 29 April 2007, Over 1 million Turkish people gathered in Istanbul to protect Secularism and to protest the government for their Islamic roots. On 13 May 2007, Over 1 million Turkish people gathered in Izmir to protect Secularism and to protest the government for their Islamic roots. On 13 March 2006, an estimated 1 million Hindu women pilgrims in world's biggest all-woman religious congregations, turned up to Attukal Devi temple in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala state in India. On 22 April 1990, 750 thousand to 1.5 million people gathered in Central Park in New York City to celebrate Earth Day. ] On 8 October 1970 an estimated 1 million people participated in what is considered the largest procession in the history of New Delhi, India, in commemoration of Hans Ji Maharaj, lead by his son Maharaji (now Prem Rawat), who was 12 years old at the time. The Reverend Billy Graham preached to a live audience of an estimated 1,000,000 people in South Korea during his Korea Crusade in 1973. (All above from Wikipedia. Caveat Emptor.) |
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20 May 08 - 10:50 AM (#2345173) Subject: RE: BS: Largest Gatherings in History From: GUEST,Fantasma And this is disturbing: http://gamers.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/210208_games_characters.aspx |
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20 May 08 - 11:25 AM (#2345203) Subject: RE: BS: Largest Gatherings in History From: catspaw49 "In January 2007, more than 70 million Hindu pilgrims from around the world gathered at Allahabad (also known as Hindu holy city of Prayaga) in India for the Ardh Kumbh Mela, the world's largest religious festival and also the world's largest gathering. [10]" Makes you wonder where all of them took a shit don't it? Lessee here.......If each of them took just one crap and we assume that each pile of shit weighed a lightweight quarter pound..........So 4 people crank out a pound a dump and, uh..............hmmm.........carry the 3....................divde by......then............Okay, that's like about 8750 Tons..........Now THAT'S a load of crap to almost equal the stuff posted on most of the politcal threads around here.............. Spaw |
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20 May 08 - 11:29 AM (#2345208) Subject: RE: BS: Largest Gatherings in History From: GUEST,Fantasma Sin cleansing is a dirty biz, innit? |
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20 May 08 - 12:16 PM (#2345259) Subject: RE: BS: Largest Gatherings in History From: Sandy Mc Lean After the Great Flood Noah threw a picnic to celebrate. Everyone in the world attended! :-} |
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20 May 08 - 02:36 PM (#2345380) Subject: RE: BS: Largest Gatherings in History From: Liz the Squeak Dancing processional giants - 662 of 'em in Matadepera, near Barcelona, 1992. I was there! LTS |
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20 May 08 - 02:43 PM (#2345389) Subject: RE: BS: Largest Gatherings in History From: PoppaGator I was at Woodstock, and a year or two later at the even bigger concert at Watkins Glen (Allman Brothers, the Band, the Dead). We thought those crowds were pretty huge, but they weren't even close to the size of some of the gatherings mentioned here. It's apparent that religion in the third world is a MUCH bigger draw than rock music in the US. |
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20 May 08 - 03:25 PM (#2345425) Subject: RE: BS: Largest Gatherings in History From: catspaw49 Bhagavan and the Avataras are evidently a bigger draw than most other rockers............. Spaw |
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20 May 08 - 05:32 PM (#2345535) Subject: RE: BS: Largest Gatherings in History From: McGrath of Harlow So far as political meetings go, the record would probably be Daniel O'Connell's "Monster Meeting" at Tara, Co. Meath, in the summer of 1843, for the repeal of the Act of Union, with estimates as high as 750,000 people attending. Makes Obama's rallies look a bit on the modest side by comparison. Here is a broadside ballad about that occasion: On the fifteenth day of August, Iu the year of Forty Three, That glorious day, I well may say, Recorded it will be, On the royal hill of Tara, Where thousands did prevail In union's bonds to join their hands, To sign for the repeal. Such a grand sight was never seen, Nor will till time's no more ; Its lasting fame shall long remain Around Hibernia's shore. No pen or talent can describe The glories of that day, As there was seen on Tara's green, A matchless grand display. There was Wexford, Wicklow, and Kildare, Sweet Dublin, and Ardee, West Meath, King's County, and Dundalk, most charming for to see, Ba'intree, Trim, and Bective, With Kellnaven and Kinsale, Cn the royal hill of Tara stood. To sign for the Repeal. I topp'd the hill with heart and will, And cast my eyes around. With a charming consternation, I viewed from the rising graund, The approaching legions of the earth Advancing from afar. With floating flags and beating drum, Like thundering claps of war. I thus proceeded farther. Through a splendid arch did past, Where I behold some thousands On the hill attending Mass. So many being uncovered In a pious holy strain, For to describe the charming sight It fluctuates my brain. To see the flags of Drogheda, With their harmonious band. With sacred pious music Round the corpses' grave did stand. Where is the heart that could not feel Or eye refuse a tear, To see these murdered victims. For their country sleeping there. Now maybe this should be entitled to go up above the line into the music section where the people who avoid BS threads would be exposed to it... |
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20 May 08 - 05:35 PM (#2345540) Subject: RE: BS: Largest Gatherings in History From: GUEST,Fantasma Not that the Irish are known for exaggeration or anything. I seem to recall there was a Tamil political funeral on the wiki list that was in India and pulled in a couple million? That would beat the Irish Liberator himself, by at least a million or two wouldn't it? |
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20 May 08 - 06:43 PM (#2345590) Subject: RE: BS: Largest Gatherings in History From: Donuel I have a 180 degree photo of the Hindu gathering. It is breath taking |
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20 May 08 - 07:05 PM (#2345617) Subject: RE: BS: Largest Gatherings in History From: catspaw49 Breathtaking? Yeah, I can believe that. 17 million asssholes wafting out essence of black mustard, tumeric, cardamon, and goat while 34 million armpits are sweating curry and cumen laden perspiration............yeah......breathtaking.......no doubt about it......... Spaw |
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20 May 08 - 07:34 PM (#2345635) Subject: RE: BS: Largest Gatherings in History From: GUEST,Fantasma Here's the thing I can't figure out. Why do people get sucked in? Surely there are also millions of lapsed Hindus, just like every other religion--I even know a few living here in the States who couldn't get away from the religion fast enough. It would not only help the environment for the to all stay home, but if you broke that spell, they could also stop building nukes to bomb everyone else to oblivion with (like, oh I dunno...Pakistan, the Tamils, etc etc) How anyone has respect or reverance for these types of human spectacles, I'll never know. |
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20 May 08 - 08:04 PM (#2345650) Subject: RE: BS: Largest Gatherings in History From: catspaw49 Yeah....with you on that one. Somehow the scenes of the crowds following the music in the dessert in Close Encounters always comes to mind. Spaw |
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20 May 08 - 08:06 PM (#2345651) Subject: RE: BS: Largest Gatherings in History From: Little Hawk A friend and I once put on a musical performance as a folk duo at a restaurant in Elmvale, Ontario, complete with a large banner outside to attract our many faithful fans in the area. One person showed up. As for the big Hindu religious gatherings, they are really as much a matter of general cultural association as they are of religion. Just people doing what has strong cultural associations for them, that's all. The same thing gets people to fill a stadium and watch a bunch of overpaid athletes rush up and down a stretch of ice for 3 hours. It's the herd mentality, and it gives people a sense of belonging. It's tribal identity enlarged. People want to be a part of something larger than themselves. |
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20 May 08 - 08:10 PM (#2345655) Subject: RE: BS: Largest Gatherings in History From: Amos Funny how Spaw can't get his mind off of waste products, innit? :D A |
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20 May 08 - 08:15 PM (#2345658) Subject: RE: BS: Largest Gatherings in History From: catspaw49 I don't think Amos wants to be a part of something larger Hawk......What Amos wants is his part to be larger so to speak.(;<)) Spaw |
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20 May 08 - 08:32 PM (#2345667) Subject: RE: BS: Largest Gatherings in History From: Jack Campin The biggest crowd I've ever been in was in Dublin in 1990, when the World Cup team returned home after getting to the semifinals. I believe that was the largest crowd in Irish history - the previous biggest was when JFK visited, and the football team was far bigger draw than the Pope had been a few years before. I can't find a figure on the web without paying, but I think there were about 2 million people on the streets of Dublin. (I was bang in the middle, outside the Bank of Ireland. Moving anywhere was not an option, you felt like a bubble in a head of Guinness). There had been a practice event earlier in the day when Nelson Mandela had come to visit. The crowd hearing him speak was just as packed but it was a smaller street, the number was only in six figures. |
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20 May 08 - 08:33 PM (#2345669) Subject: RE: BS: Largest Gatherings in History From: GUEST,Fantasma Billy Graham Crusades, same deal. I know it's all about tribalism. Just like the Green Man or whatever it is thing. So, did that one used to be the Rainbow Gathering, or are they different species? One of the links at the top showed aerial photos of that one. Very creepy to me. |
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20 May 08 - 09:06 PM (#2345686) Subject: RE: BS: Largest Gatherings in History From: Amos Do you mean Burning Man? A |