Queen Latifah speaks during the memorial service for Michael Jackson at the Staples Center in LA, California. A gospel choir singing "We're going to see the king" launched an emotional public memorial for Michael on Tuesday. A staggering 1.6 million people applied to win free tickets for the event, which were allocated via an airline lottery. Over 1,4000 police officers were deployed to provide security. In the US alone, at least 16 major TV networks covered the service live, & 88 cinemas screened it making it one of the biggest televized events of the year after the Jan 20 inaugration of President Obama. A gold-plated casket carried Jackson on his final journey as millions worldwide bid farewell to King of Pop. Organizers appealed to ticketless fans to watch the event on TV, fearing chaos if thousands took to the streets. Live feed of the service was also streamed via social networking websites.

Stars Attendance -

Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Justin Timberlake, Uaher, Jennifer Hudson, Mariah Carey & John Mayer perform at the memorial service of the 'King of Pop' at the 20,000-capacity Staples Center sports arena in Los Angeles.

Lionel Richie, Motown founder Berry Gordy, Kobe Bryant, Martin Luther King III, Motown legend Smokey Robinson & Brooke Shields among other celebrities attending the funeral.

Jackson's closest friend & veteran actress Elizabeth Taylor gives it a miss; Jackson's ex-wife, Debbie Rowe, also skips the event, preferring a 'private celebration'.

World Goes Crazy -

* In Us alone, at least 16 major television networks provide live coverage of the memorial service, making it one of the biggest television events of the year after the Jan 20 inaugration of President Barack Obama.

* In Australia, the memorial is broadcast live on a giant screen in Melbourne. Several Aussie Tv Stations beamed it live.

* In Hong Kong, a suburban maal tunes its TV screens to the event as part of a celebration featuring performances of Jackson's signature 'moonwalk' & a nonstop broadcast of his videos.

* In Phillipines, the country's longest running TV variety show, 'Eat Bulaga", holds a Michael Jackson dancing contest.

Even in military-controlled Myanmar, a dance group holds a memorial service.

* In Japan, hundreds of fans flock to a Tokyo store to watch Jackson's videos on a giant screen.