Each year, we trawl through hundreds of thousands of photos by Getty Images photographers, who have worked relentlessly to capture over 160,000 news, sports and entertainment events globally.

We’re not only looking at visuals and videos that have created news cycles, sparked conversations or become online memes, but moments that shape the world, culture and society. We often don’t realise the significance of these moments, until several years later.

Here are my top picks on the moments that have captured the public consciousness over the past 12 months and that could go on to become defining moments in history.

Taylor Swift had some of the biggest crowds of her Eras Tour in Sydney. Photo: Getty/Don Arnold

Taylor Swift sets records Down Under

Taylor Swift managed to hold the world’s interest again in 2024, even when battling breaking news events for attention.

The Eras Tour had a massive cultural impact, particularly in Australia where she performed for the biggest crowd of her career in Melbourne.

Taylor Swift has redefined fan engagement in the digital age by creating an authentic and emotional connection with her Swifites. This moment of Taylor Swift mid-performance in Sydney, with her hair swinging, radiates energy and perfectly captures the dynamic spirit that defined her Eras Tour.

The moment Julian Assange finally set foot back in Australia for the first time in years. Photo: Getty/Roni Bintang

Julian Assange returns as a free man

In June 2024, Julian Assange landed back home in Australia, after a plea deal allowed him to walk free from a London prison.

Getty Images photographers have been capturing his fight for freedom for over the past decade.

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Our photographers were two of several on the scene waiting to capture a moment to illustrate the significance of his return and the emotional reunion with his wife and his father. The gesture of raising his fist symbolises the saga and his resilience.

The scale of the conflict in the Middle East laid bare. Photo: Getty/Amir Levy

The Israel-Hamas conflict continues

Over 12 months into the war, which was set off by the Hamas-led October 7 attack in Israel, the humanitarian crisis has not abated.

Our photographers have been responsible for capturing the human face on the war, both on the ground and around the world.

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These two images illustrate the impact of the Israel-Palestine conflict. The first, image shows pro-Palestinian supporters clashing with police in Melbourne. The second, captured in Israel, reveals the scale of these military weapons showing missile debris left on a beach after an aerial barrage by Iran in April.

A man walks through a debris-covered street after flash floods hit Valencia in October. Photo: Getty/David Ramos

Fatal floods and environmental fragility

Climate-change related disasters and rising global average temperatures hit the headlines again in 2024.

These images by David Ramos were captured in Spain in October 2024 after the south-east faced catastrophic flash flooding after eight hours of intense rainfall. We see streets littered with so much debris, it’s almost surreal.

It’s a visual reminder of the intensifying impact of extreme weather and weather events, and our fragile relationship with nature.

A firefighter in front of cars and debris blocking a Spanish tunnel after the floods. Photo: Getty/David Ramos

Raygun ‘breaks’ the internet

One of the most iconic moments from the 2024 Paris Olympics was internet sensation Raygun. This image captures ‘Raygun’ during her performance at the Olympics, where she introduced this now famous, ‘kangaroo’ move to reflect her Australian heritage.

Despite not scoring points, her routine gained global attention and sparked widespread discussion, writing her into the history books.

Rachael Gunn (aka Raygun) performs in Paris. Photo: Getty/Ezra Shaw

Australia’s best Olympic Games

The 2024 Paris Olympics was Australia’s most successful Olympics Games. It was also a landmark moment in Australia sporting history for female athletes who took the country to new heights, from the pole vault to the pool to the skateboard rink.

This image of Saya Sakakibara, celebrating her gold medal win in the BMX Final, encapsulates the spirit of resilience and success, as she overcame the heartbreak of her Tokyo crash and her brother’s life-changing accident. The photo shows pure jubilation and symbolises Australia’s incredible achievements at the Games.

Teenager Saya Sakakibara celebrates her gold medal in Paris. Photo: Getty/Tim de Waele

Boy Swallows Universe soars to success

Trent Dalton’s celebrated novel Boy Swallows Universe’ became one of the most successful Australian-made shows in 2024, reaching 7.6 million complete series views globally in its first two weeks on Netflix and winning an array of industry awards.

This single image captures the emotion of 15-year-old Australian actor, Felix Cameron delivering a tearful and heartfelt speech upon winning best lead actor in a drama at the 2024 Logie Awards. This public moment of vulnerability signifies important recognition for Australia’s film and television industry, demonstrating its ability to create captivating Australian stories that resonate with diverse, global audiences.

Felix Cameron accepts his Logie for Boy Swallows Universe. Photo: Getty/James Gourley

The attempted assassination of Donald Trump

Getty Images photographer Anna Moneymaker was on the ground when gunfire erupted at Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania.

Anna’s tight capture of Donald Trump on stage after an assassination attempt is a testament to the quick thinking and precision required of photojournalists.

In that pivotal moment, as Anna followed the chaos on stage, she caught a glimpse that proved he was alive and took a split-second decision to switch cameras to a longer lens and focus on his face. Her photos capture the immediate reality of the moment and his instincts to raise a triumph fist to spectators. These photos will undoubtedly shape the aftermath and the future of US politics.

Trump is rushed off stage after an attempted shooting. Photo: Getty/Anna Moneymaker

A political comeback for the ages

Trump’s victory over Kamala Harris and his historic return to the White House as America’s 47th president was touted as “a political comeback for the ages”. This artful shot from behind Trump shows just how much he was able to hold the entire world’s attention again in 2024.

Trump speaks to the media after his debate with Democratic candidate Kamala Harris. Photo: Getty/Kevin Dietsch

It Ends with Us ignites dialogue

Throughout the year, the glitz and glam of red carpets hold our attention, but there was one that had us talking for days afterwards.

This was the release of Colleen Hoover’s It Ends with Us, starring Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. The premiere and press run was met with discourse and criticism on how the film industry and its stars tackle issues like domestic violence.

I personally love this intimate image of Blake Lively, captured by Jeff Spicer at the UK gala screening of It Ends With Us. Her glance over her shoulder creates a moment that seems just between her and the photographer, offering a rare sense of connection at a glamorous event of this size.

Blake Lively on the red carpet in London. Photo: Getty/Jeff Spicer

Cassie Trotter Spencer is senior editorial director for Getty Images

This article first appeared in The New Daily.