In countless, incalculable ways, New York City is larger than life. From Times Square to Central Park, the Empire State Building to the Statue of Liberty, “The City That Never Sleeps” is replete with iconic landmarks. Over 40 million people visit the Big Apple every year and converge on the city’s boroughs, neighborhoods, museums, restaurants, squares and parks. But more than any other point of interest in Gotham, more than the Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall or Broadway, Madison Square Garden is where headlines and history are made. For world class entertainment, sports and special events, “The World’s Most Famous Arena” takes the cake. Whether for a concert, New York Knicks, New York Rangers or NCAA Division I basketball game, a visit to MSG on 7th Avenue and 32nd Street is a must.

If you need some incentive, check out 10 of the best moments in The Garden’s long and glorious history.

10. The Pope Drops In

On October 3, 1979, Pope John Paul II held mass before 20,000 young people at Madison Square Garden, the first major milestone in what became a deep connection between The Vatican and a new generation of Catholics under his tenure.

9. Happy Birthday Mr. President

The most famous “Happy Birthday” in history took place on May 19, 1962 at MSG with Marilyn Monroe’s sexy, provocative version for then President John F. Kennedy. Three months later Monroe was found dead and in 1999 the iconic, clingy gown she wore for the event sold at auction for $1.26 million.

8. Rocky and Joe

Madison Square Garden has been the dramatic stage for some of the most indelible bouts in The Sweet Science. On October 26, 1951, two eras and cultures met in a classic match that ranks as one of the most important confrontations in the sport’s history. In one corner, young upstart Rocky Marciano and in the other, the threadbare champ, Joe Louis. The Brown Bomber would fall for good in the 8th round by a vicious Marciano left, never to return to the ring.

7. The King Reigns Supreme

Though popular music had undergone a seismic shift since his heyday, for four sold-out concerts in June of 1972, Elvis Presley proved beyond a shadow of a doubt his status as The King. Two live albums were cut from his landmark Garden concerts and went on to sell millions.

6. Gretzky’s Farewell

The foremost ambassador and most familiar face in hockey took one last lap around the ice for the New York Rangers on April 18, 1999. The Great One went out in style with one assist in a 2-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. His number 99 will never be worn by any player for any team again, a first and probably last in NHL history.

5. The Concert for Bangladesh

Way before Live Aid or Free Tibet, George Harrison mobilized prominent musicians to steer attention to the plight of refugees in Bangladesh after Cyclone Bhola and the vicious aftermath of the Bangladesh Liberation War. The two benefit concerts held on August 1, 1971 at MSG before 40,000 people made music history.

4. Knicks Win Second Title

In their last taste of NBA glory, the New York Knicks completed a second dream season in four years, with impressive triumphs over the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers en route to a championship in 1973.

3. The Fight of the Century

March 8, 1971. In one corner, champion Joe Frazier, with a record of 26-0. In the other corner, Muhammad Ali, with a record of 31-0. The hype for the match was beyond epic. In the end, Frazier was the unanimous victor but the ultimate triumph went to fight fans. The two boxers had set a new standard.

2. Center of Attention

After six hard-fought, fiercely competitive games, the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks met for a penultimate Game 7 on the Madison Square Garden court on May 8, 1970. Many of the New York faithful had lost all hope because the Knicks were without star center Willis Reed, who had sat out the previous contest with a torn thigh muscle. The ovation that erupted when Reed limped onto the court for tip-off inspired the Knicks to victory and their first championship.

1. Messier Wins The Cup

The 1993-94 season was one for the ages for the New York Rangers. Led by Hall of Fame captain Mark Messier and coach Mike Keenan, the team came back from the brink of elimination against the hated New Jersey Devils in the conference finals to face the Vancouver Canucks in the Stanley Cup finals. The series went the distance and in a dramatic Game 7 at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers won 3-2. It was the franchise’s first Stanley Cup win in 54 years and the sight of Messier hoisting the famous trophy is firmly etched with pride in the minds of every Rangers fan.

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