Cubs World Series Celebration Was 7th Largest Gathering In History

The Chicago Cubs won the World Series after an epic Game 7 on Nov. 2. It was their first championship win in 108 years.

Given the devotion of Cubs fans and the very long wait for another World Series win, you knew the celebration two days later would be as epic as that Game 7. Well, it was epic, because 5 million people decided to show up and celebrate with the Cubs during their parade and rally. That makes it the seventh largest gathering of humans in the history of Homo sapiens.

But where were the other six gatherings that beat the Chicago Cubs World Series celebration? Listed below are those six gatherings, along with a few more, to create a top 10 list of the biggest human mosh pits of all time.

1. Kumbh Mela pilgrimage, India, 2013

30 million

This Hindu pilgrimage happens once every 12 years, so just imagine how many people will gather for the next Kumbh Mela pilgrimage in 2025.

2. Arbaeen festival, Iraq, 2014

17 million

Millions of Shia Muslins participating in the Arbaeen festival—which honors the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad who died in battle in Karbala, Iraq, in the 7th century—gathered in the city to commemorate the end of the annual 40-day mourning period.

3. Funeral of CN Annadurai, India, 1969

15 million

This man was a revolutionary figure in India and a prolific speaker as well.

4. Funeral of Ayatollah Khomeini, Iran, 1989

10 million

This massive gathering after the Iranian Ayatollah died saw 8 people trampled to death, and the 86-year-old’s body even fell out of the coffin as it was mobbed by mourners.

5. Papal gathering, Philippines, 2015

6 million

When Pope Francis visited Manila, more than six million showed up to hear him speak.

6. World Youth Day, Philippines, 1995

5 million

Until the 2015 Papal visit, the 1995 Catholic gathering held the record for the most people to attend a Catholic mass.

Here are the rest of the top 10 largest human gatherings in history:

7. Chicago Cubs World Series celebration, Chicago, 2016: 5 million

8. Funeral of Gamal Abdel Nasser, 1970: 5 million

9. Rod Stewart concert, Brazil, 1994: 3.5 million

10. Hajj pilgrimage, Mecca, Saudi Arabia, 2012: 3 million

11. Anti-war march, Rome, 2003: 3 million

This also makes the Cubs celebration the largest human gathering in United States history. Until Rod Stewart hosts a concert somewhere in the U.S., that is…