Photos: On this day – January 15, 1967 – The first Super Bowl is played in Los Angeles, California

Posted Jan 15, 2013

On this day – January 15, 1967 – The first Super Bowl is played in Los Angeles, California.The Green Bay Packers defeat the Kansas City Chiefs 35–10.

The game was created as part of a merger agreement between the NFL and its then-rival league, the American Football League (AFL). It was agreed that the two leagues’ champion teams would play in an AFL–NFL World Championship Game until the merger was to officially begin in 1970.

The day on which the Super Bowl is played, now considered by some a de facto American national holiday, is called “Super Bowl Sunday”. It is the second-largest day for U.S. food consumption, after Thanksgiving Day. In addition, the Super Bowl has frequently been the most watched American television broadcast of the year. Super Bowl XLV, played in 2011, became the most-watched American television program in history, drawing an average audience of 111 million viewers and taking over the spot held by the previous year’s Super Bowl, which itself had taken over the #1 spot held for twenty-eight years by the final episode of M*A*S*H. The Super Bowl is also among the most watched sporting events in the world, mostly due to North American audiences, and is second to association football (soccer)’s UEFA Champions League final as the most watched annual sporting event worldwide.

Because of its high viewership, commercial airtime during the Super Bowl broadcast is the most expensive of the year. Due to the high cost of investing in advertising on the Super Bowl, companies regularly develop their most expensive advertisements for this broadcast. As a result, watching and discussing the broadcast’s commercials has become a significant aspect of the event. In addition, many popular singers and musicians have performed during the event’s pre-game and halftime ceremonies because of the exposure.

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Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi is carried off the field after his team defeated the Oakland Raiders 33 to 14 in the Super Bowl II game in Miami, Fla. on Jan. 14, 1968. Packers guard Jerry Kramer (64) is at right. (AP Photo)
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Vince Lombardi, coach of the NFL champions the Green Bay Packers worries his team through to a 34-27 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Jan. 2, 1967 in Green Bay. The Packers now move into the Super Bowl game against Kansas City Chiefs of the AFL. (AP Photo)
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This is a general view of Los Angeles Coliseum during the Super Bowl, Jan. 15, 1967. (AP Photo)
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The Green Bay Packers’ Bart Starr is the center of attention as he gets birthday kisses from a pair of pretty girls on Jan. 10, 1967 in Santa Barbara, California. The occasion was Starr’s 33rd birthday, which he celebrated in Santa Barbara, California, where the NFL champions have set up training camp for next Sunday’s Super Bowl game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Los Angeles. The girls are Jackie Gregory, left, and Chanin Hale, right. (AP Photo/DFS)
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While his athletes do calisthenics, head coach Vince Lombardi of the Green Bay Packers studies the Los Angeles Coliseum turf on Jan. 14, 1967. It will be firm and dry for the Super Bowl Game with the Kansas City Chiefs. (AP Photo/HF)
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Green Bay Packers quarterback Bart Starr (left) and head coach Vince Lombardi watch as the Packers held a light workout on Monday, Jan. 9, 1967 at Fort Lauderdale, Fla., in preparation for the Super Bowl in Miami, Fla., on January 14. Green Bay will play the AFL champions, the Okland Raiders. (AP Photo/TM)
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Defensive halfback Fred Williamson is placed on a stretcher in Los Angeles, Jan. 15, 1967, after being injured during the playing of the Super Bowl game against the Green Bay Packers. Williamson, known as "The Hammer", had to be carried from the field. (AP Photo)
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Quarterback Bart Starr, who guided the Green Bay Packers to their 35 to 10 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl game, is interviewed in the dressing room in Los Angeles on Jan. 15, 1967. The victory meant $15,000 for each of the battle-proven Packers. (AP Photo)
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Quarterback Bart Starr of the Green Bay Packers looks over the windshield of the convertible presented to him in New York, Feb. 3, 1967 by Sport Magazine. Starr won the publication's "Super Bowl Award." (AP Photo/John Rooney)
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A petite performer is fitted for a football costume for a pre-game performance at Miami's Orange Bowl, Sunday, Jan. 12, 1968 where the Baltimore Colts and the New York Jets will play in Super Bowl III. (AP Photo)
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A Crew of painterss sprays the field of the Orange Bowl in preparation for Super Bowl II, Jan. 12, 1968 in Miami. (AP Photo/TM)
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A workman puts the finishing touches on two large painted football helmets in the center of the Orange Bowl at Miami, Jan. 12, 1968. One is for the Oakland Raiders and the other for the Green Bay Packers who meet in January 14 at Super Bowl II. (AP Photo/Toby Massey)
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Green Bay Packer quarterback Bart Starr, right, huddles with his mother and father, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Starr of Montgomery, Ala., Jan. 13, 1968 at Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Mr. and Mrs. Starr will be in the stands on Sunday, cheering for their son Bart and the Green Bay Packers when the meet the AFL champions, the Oakland Raiders in the Super Bowl at Miami. (AP Photo/Toby Massey)
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Bart Starr, quarterback of the NFL champion Green Bay Packers, signs autographs for fans outside their practice field in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Jan. 8, 1968. The Packers and AFL champs, the Oakland Raiders meet on Sunday in the Super Bowl game in Miami. (AP Photo/TM)
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Oakland's Hewritt Dixon (35) is upended trying to go over the line in the first period of the Super Bowl in Miami, Fla., Jan. 14, 1968. Green Bay defenders in white are Lionel Aldridge (82) and Ray Nitschke (66). (AP Photo)
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Two huge papier-mache statues symbolic of the American and National football leagues pause in a friendly handshake on the field, Jan. 14, 1968 in Miami pre-game ceremonies at Super Bowl II. (AP Photo/Harold Valentine)
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Green Bay Packers quarterback Bart Starr (15) tries to get the ball away from Oakland's Tom Keating (74) after being dumped for an 11 yard loss in the second period of the Super Bowl game in Miami, June 14, 1968. (AP photo)
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Green Bay Packers back Ben Wilson (36) tries to get free from a face mask grab by Oakland linebacker Dan Conners who got Wilson from behind for a 1-yard loss in the second quarter of Super Bowl II, Jan. 14, 1968 in Miami, Fla. (AP Photo/Harold Valentine)
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Green Bay Packers quarterback Bart Starr warms up his throwing arm in the Orange Bowl in Miami, Jan. 14, 1968 before the start of the Super Bowl game with a sign in the background proclaiming the Packers are ready for any weather. (AP Photo)
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Betty Livingston of Indianapolis, Ind., checks her program at Super Bowl II in the Orange Bowl at Miami, Fla., Jan. 14, 1968. (AP Photo/Harold Valentine)
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Don Chandler (34) of the Green Bay Packers kicks the first field goal in Super Bowl II, Jan. 14, 1968 in Miami, Fla. Packers linemen holding off the rushing Raiders are Lionel Aldridge (82) and Bob Brown (78) . (AP Photo/Harold Valentine)
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Don Chandler (right) kicks a 43-yard field goal with Bart Starr holding with one minute left in the second quarter of Super Bowl II, Jan. 14, 1968 in Miami, Fla. This was the third of Chandler's four field goals of the game. (AP Photo/Harold Valentine)
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Green Bay Packers runningback #44 Donny Anderson Finds a hole in the Oakland Raiders defence and scores a touchdown during Super Bowl II at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Fla., on Sunday, Jan. 14, 1968. (AP Photo)
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Green Bay Packers' Marv Fleming, #81, blocks Oakland Raiders' Bill Laskey, #42, to make way for Donny Anderson's, #44, touchdown during Super Bowl II in Miami, Fla., on Jan. 14, 1968. The Green Bay Packers beat Oakland Raiders 33-14. (AP Photo)
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Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi is carried off the field Jan. 14, 1968 after his team defeated the Oakland Raiders 33 to 14 in Super Bowl II, in Miami, Fla. Packers guard Jerry Kramer (64) provides one of the shoulders for Lombardi's ride. (AP photo)
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At right Vince Lombardi of the Packers is happy with his team's win over the Oakland Raiders, 33-14, at the Super Bowl in Miami, Jan 15, 1968. (AP Photo)
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Green Bay Packer head coach Vince Lombardi waves to a large crowd who turned out in Fort Lauderdale to watch the NFL champs open practice, Jan. 8, 1968. The Packers and AFL champion Oakland Raiders meet Sunday in the Super Bowl at Miami. (AP Photo/Toby Massey)
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Showing different expressions after Super Bowl game Green Back quarterback Bart Starr, Jan. 14, 1968 in Miami, Florida, who passed for 202 yards. (AP Photo)
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Showing different expressions after Super Bowl game Green Back quarterback Bart Starr, Jan. 14, 1968 in Miami, Florida, who passed for 202 yards. (AP Photo)
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You?ve got a good close up of the hand, injured thumb and all, and face of Green Bay Packers Quarterback Bart Starr, Jan. 16, 1968, who directed his team to victory over the Oakland Raiders in the Super Bowl game at Miami on January 14. Picture was made at local sports luncheon at which he received a sports car award. Starr completed 13 of 24 passes in the game before bowing out with an injured hand. (AP Photo)
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New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath wipes his face as he leaves the practice field with Jets coach Weeb Eubank, Jan. 4, 1969 at Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The Jets are practicing for the Super Bowl football game with the Baltimore Colts at Miami, Florida on January 12. (AP Photo/Jim Kerlin)
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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson is surrounded by sports writers as he gives thought to each question shot at him. The question and answers session took place during the Chiefs first workout in New Orleans, Jan. 6, 1969, as they prepare for their Super Bowl opponents, the Minnesota Vikings. (AP Photo/Charles Kelly)
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New York Jets offensive coach Clive Rush, right, explains to quarterback Joe Namath now he would like a play executed as head coach Weeb Eubank listens on the talk, Jan. 6, 1969 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida during Jets training for the Super Bowl game with the Baltimore Colts at Miami, Florida on January 12. (AP Photo)
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Workmen paint the Orange Bowl field for Super Bowl III in Miami, Jan. 7, 1969.. Stadium officials estimate they will use several hundred gallons of paint before they finish the job. (AP Photo/TM)
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New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath, two fingers of his hurt left hand still taped together, sits at lunch table with team doctor, Dr. James Nicholas, Jan. 7, 1969 in Fort Lauderdale. The Jets are training for their Super Bowl game against the Baltimore Colts on January 12 in Miami?s Orange Bowl stadium. (AP Photo)
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New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath and defensive line coach Buddy Ryan, appear to be holding a serious talk, Jan. 9, 1969 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida before the left for their day?s practice for the Super Bowl football game with the Baltimore Colts on January 12 at Miami?s Orange Bowl. (AP Photo)
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Joe Namath, New York Jets quarterback, smiles in practice at Fort Lauderdale and has his work cut out for him on Sunday, Jan. 10, 1969 in Fort Lauderdale. That?s when the Jets meet the Baltimore Colts in the Super Bowl in Miami. (AP Photo)
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New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath takes a toss from tight end Pete Lammons, right, during a training session in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Jan. 10, 1969. Lammons was catching the ball for Namath when it was returned from a pass Joe had tossed. Jets and Baltimore Colts meet on Sunday in Miami for the Super Bowl. (AP Photo)
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Keeping a watchful eye on rushing defenders New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath, left, hands off to running back Bill Mathis in Super Bowl III, Jan.12, 1969. The Jets beat the Baltimore Colts, 16 to 7. (AP Photo/stf)
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Bubba Smith (78) of the Baltimore Colts leaps in a vain attempt to block a pass from New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath Jan. 12, 1969 in Super Bowl III at Miami, Florida. The Jets won 16 to 7. (AP Photo)
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New York Jets fullback Matt Snell almost loses the ball as he is hit by Colts linebacker Dennis Gaubatz in the first quarter of Super Bowl III, Jan. 12, 1969 in Miami. (AP Photo/Harold Valentine)
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New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath (12) drops back to pass in Super Bowl III, Jan. 12, 1969 in Miami, Fl. (AP Photo)
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An emotional Weeb Ewbank, coach of the New York Jets, congratulates quarterback Joe Namath with just seconds left in Super Bowl III at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Fla., on Jan. 12, 1969. The Jets upsent the heavily-favored Baltimore Colts 16-7. (AP Photo)
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Green Bay Packers general manager Vince Lombardi, right, sits with his wife Marie and Zenon Hansen and his wife Marilyn, left, in the stands as they watch the Super Bowl game at Miami, Fla., Jan. 12, 1969. Last year Lombardi was coaching the Packers in the Super Bowl. (AP Photo)
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American Football League New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath gives his father, who is wearing an Orange Bowl hat, a big hug in the Jets' crowded dressing room on Jan. 12, 1969. Namath led his underdog team to a 16 to 7 win over the National Football League champion Baltimore Colts in the Super Bowl III game in Miami, Fla. (AP Photo)