<P> "Shot heard round the world" continues to be a stock phrase in the 21st century, widely used to refer to unusual events in general, and has been applied to numerous dramatic moments in sports . For example, it refers to the winning goal of Paul Henderson in the final seconds of the 8th and final match to secure Team Canada's victory in the 1972 Canada - USSR Summit - series . The goal was made famous by a Frank Lennon photograph . </P> <P> In American baseball, the "Shot Heard' Round the World" (usually spelled with an apostrophe) denotes the game - winning walk - off home run by New York Giants outfielder Bobby Thomson off Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Ralph Branca at the Polo Grounds to win the National League pennant on October 3, 1951 . The Giants won the game 5 - 4 as a result of the home run, defeating their traditional rivals in their pennant playoff series, though they eventually lost the World Series to the Yankees . </P>

When did the shot heard around the world happen