2011 was a pivotal year for "Peak TV," with several legendary series reaching their stride or premiering.

The 2011 sports season featured massive upsets and labor disputes that nearly canceled entire seasons. Winner / Champion Green Bay Packers Won Super Bowl XLV; Aaron Rodgers named MVP. NBA Dallas Mavericks

: A massive 9.0 magnitude earthquake on March 11 triggered a devastating tsunami and the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, the second-worst in history.

: A wave of pro-democracy protests swept across North Africa and the Middle East, leading to the toppling of long-standing regimes in Tunisia , Egypt , and Libya .

The airwaves were dominated by Adele’s 21 , which became a global juggernaut. - Adele "Party Rock Anthem" - LMFAO "Firework" - Katy Perry "Moves Like Jagger" - Maroon 5 feat. Christina Aguilera

: Prince William married Catherine Middleton on April 29 at Westminster Abbey, an event watched by an estimated 2 billion people worldwide.

: The HBO epic premiered its first season in April, beginning a global cultural phenomenon.