The way people communicate has been irrevocably altered by the social media platform Twitter in a remarkably short time. It has become an essential aspect of our social lives, serving as a platform for disseminating breaking news, proclaiming political triumphs, and even mourning the loss of beloved figures.

We’ve put together a compilation of the most significant tweets ever – going beyond mere retweet counts (largely dominated by celebrities) to encompass tweets that shaped history, pivotal events on Twitter, and those concise messages demonstrating the profound impact achievable within 140 characters. Nexus-security presents: the best tweets ever. The Best Tweets Ever:

• Obama
• MarsPhoenix
• Mount Everest
• Occupy WallStreet
• Crime Fighting
• Anthony Weinergate
• BP Oil Spill
• KennethCole
• Old Spice
• Oprah
• Charlie Sheen
• Justin Bieber
• The Pope
• Roger Ebert
• Osama Bin Laden
• Michael Jackson
• Steve Jobs

Most Retweeted Tweet of All Time – Obama Secures Second Term

On November 6, 2012, President Obama announced his successful re-election bid with a concise and impactful tweet that has since become the most retweeted post ever:

Obama’s victory tweet from 2012 has been retweeted over 660,000 times (and counting), shattering the previous record held by Justin Bieber, which stood at approximately 220,000 retweets. An identical message from Obama on Facebook also broke records, garnering over 3.1 million likes and still growing. These staggering numbers are hardly surprising, given that the 2012 election was itself record-breaking as the most tweeted-about event in U.S. history with 20 million tweets:

In 2008, upon winning his first term, Obama achieved another Twitter milestone by tweeting his gratitude to supporters, becoming the first president to tweet from the White House. These remarkable, record-shattering figures underscore the growing influence of Twitter as a news source and a tool for political activism. We believe Obama’s “Four more years” tweet will stand the test of time as one of the greatest tweets ever.

Major News Stories on Twitter

Twitter has revolutionized the speed at which global news spreads, enabling significant events to traverse the internet with a few keystrokes. Here are some of the most impactful news stories (and scandals) that captivated Twitter.

Phoenix Uncovers Ice on Mars

The world learned about the robotic spacecraft Phoenix lander’s discovery of water on Mars through a tweet sent by NASA on June 19, 2008. Science enthusiasts worldwide would undoubtedly include @MarsPhoenix’s landmark tweet, “Are you ready to celebrate? Well, get ready: We have ICE!!!!! Yes, ICE, *WATER ICE* on Mars! woot!!! Best day every!!” among the all-time great tweets.

Kenton Cool Tweets from Everest’s Summit

Kenton Cool, a seasoned British mountaineer, achieved global recognition after summiting Mount Everest and tweeting his accomplishment (with the help of his trusty Samsung Galaxy S2 – this tweet could have also fallen under marketing!). Tweeting from Everest is undeniably impressive (especially by someone named Kenton Cool), but it turns out he wasn’t the first to accomplish this feat, though he received the most acclaim; Eric Larsen had tweeted from Everest six months prior, a feat that largely went unnoticed.

The Birth of the #Occupy Hashtag

Adbusters sent out this now-iconic tweet that first began the #OccupyWallStreet hashtag.

While @Adbusters didn’t become the main voice of the Occupy movement, the hashtag they used evolved into a powerful emblem for the movement, which relied significantly on Twitter to share meeting details and updates with protestors.

Fighting Crime with Twitter

It’s true: Twitter saves lives! In April 2012, a man from Johannesburg, South Africa, was carjacked and forced into his car’s trunk. Realizing he had his phone, the victim quickly texted his girlfriend, who then tweeted the situation, pleading for help from a specific user with 10,000 followers, @pigspotter. @pigspotter helped the girlfriend connect with local private security personnel. Working together, they tracked the phone’s signal and alerted the police, who successfully located and freed the man from the trunk. While it might seem strange that the man didn’t directly contact the police, this incident exemplifies how Twitter has aided in bringing criminals to justice in recent years. Keep up the fight, Twitter vigilantes!

Anthony Weiner’s Twitter Downfall

Anthony Weiner found himself at the center of what many consider one of the biggest Twitter scandals to date. The then-U.S. Congressman, intending to send a private, explicit picture to a follower, mistakenly shared it with his entire Twitter audience. (The tweet shown above was his attempt to cover up the mistake; the original tweet with the picture was deleted as soon as Weiner realized his error). The nature of Weiner’s blunder, unfortunately aligning with his surname, made the story of the misplaced photo both comical and highly publicized, ultimately leading to his resignation from Congress. You might have thought we’d forgotten about Weiner! Not quite yet.

BP Oil Spill Inspires a Parody Account

The BP Global oil spill was a major tragedy in 2010, sparking outrage among environmental activists worldwide as images of oil-covered oceans and wildlife emerged. However, sometimes humor can be the best coping mechanism. Shortly after the disaster, a parody account, @bpglobalpr, began posting humorous tweets that provided a bit of comic relief amid the grim situation.

Marketing Triumphs on Twitter

Kenneth Cole’s Poorly Timed Advertisement

While Twitter can be a valuable marketing platform for businesses, a single misstep can result in a major PR crisis. Kenneth Cole attempted to capitalize on the unrest in Cairo, but his comment backfired, with many deeming it disrespectful and insensitive towards the protests in Egypt. A word of caution to eager marketers!

Old Spice’s Groundbreaking Video Response Campaign

In 2012, following the viral success of their “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” commercial, Old Spice took their marketing to the next level with a series of video responses. They invited users to tweet questions to @OldSpice, and created 186 videos in response. This marketing strategy was a resounding success – Old Spice’s Twitter following increased by 2700%. While the response campaign spanned various social media platforms (contributing to its success), it all began on Twitter, earning @OldSpice a well-deserved gold star.

Tweets from the Stars

Oprah Joins Twitter

Oprah Winfrey’s arrival on Twitter, one of the first major celebrities to do so, was a significant endorsement that paved the way for other celebrities to follow suit.

Charlie Sheen Defines “Winning”

Charlie Sheen’s very public meltdown became a national obsession in 2011, and Sheen entertained the Twitterverse with his thoughts on the advantages of tiger blood and how to know if you’re “winning.”

Sheen’s Twitter fame reached its peak with this now-legendary tweet, which set a Guinness World Record for gaining 1 million followers in the shortest time ever.

Bieber’s Twitter Reign

Any single tweet from Justin Bieber will generate more retweets than most of us could dream of in a lifetime. Bieber has demonstrated the remarkable power of Twitter – one tweet from him can make or break a career, as Carly Rae Jepsen discovered when his tweet about her song catapulted her to superstardom. Yes, the Biebs knows how to leverage Twitter to his advantage. There are even rumors about the number of Twitter servers dedicated solely to him. His most popular tweet to date (which held the record for most retweets until President Obama surpassed it) is his RIP message for six-year-old Avalanna, the unofficial “Mrs. Bieber” who died of cancer.

With over 222,000 retweets and 100,000 favorites, even those who aren’t fans have to acknowledge Bieber’s Twitter dominance.

The Pope’s First Tweet

Pope Benedict XVI sent out the first-ever papal tweet in June 2011, signaling the Vatican’s effort to embrace the digital age. The tweet was even sent from an iPad – His Holiness is tech-savvy!

Ebert Finds a New Voice Through Twitter

Renowned film critic Roger Ebert had been sharing his insightful (and often scathing) movie reviews for decades, but complications from thyroid cancer treatment left him unable to speak. A critic without a voice seemed unimaginable, but Ebert rediscovered his voice through Twitter. While there isn’t one specific, wildly popular tweet that lands Ebert on the “Top Tweets of All Time” list, his presence is significant because it highlights the inherent value and potential of Twitter. The platform enabled Ebert to continue his work as a passionate film critic, sharing his insightful and sometimes cutting reviews of the latest Hollywood releases.

Tweets Marking Loss and Remembering Lives

The Death of Osama Bin Laden

The death of Osama Bin Laden was one of the biggest news events of 2011, but equally noteworthy is how the news of the notorious terrorist’s demise came to light. Twitter user @ReallyVirtual tweeted:

@ReallyVirtual, whose real name is Sohaib Athar, continued tweeting about the events unfolding in Abbottabad, unknowingly revealing the top-secret military operation hours before President Obama officially announced the raid. This incident underscores how drastically news dissemination has changed with the rise of the internet. Major news organizations and reporters no longer hold exclusive rights to breaking news stories. Instead, the most significant events can be reported by any individual with a Twitter account who happens to be in the right place at the right time.

The World Mourns the King of Pop

When music icon Michael Jackson died on June 25, 2009, news of his passing spread rapidly through Twitter.

At one point during the day, conversations about Jackson’s death reached unprecedented levels, with nearly 30% of all tweets focused on his passing and legacy (in comparison, the swine flu epidemic didn’t even reach 5%). Nine out of the top ten trending topics on Twitter were related to the star’s tragic death, and the platform struggled to keep up with the influx of tributes and RIP messages. Twitter was inundated with tweets commemorating Jackson, with both celebrities and everyday individuals paying their respects to the King of Pop.

Steve Jobs Remembered by Tech Enthusiasts Worldwide

Steve Jobs is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in shaping how we use and interact with modern technology. His work at Apple transformed the company into the tech giant it is today, as Jobs introduced elegance and design to technology in an unprecedented way. The news of his death prompted an outpouring of condolences on Twitter, with many expressing their grief and gratitude on the very iPhones that Jobs played a key role in creating. While the significance of Jobs’ passing cannot be encapsulated in a single tweet, a tribute from Bill Gates became one of the most shared and discussed tweets on the day of his death.

Share Your Favorite Tweets

That concludes our list of the most noteworthy tweets of all time. What tweets do you believe deserve a spot on this list? Share your thoughts in the comments! (Read More: Discover Someone’s First Tweet!)