A crowd of more than 28,000 gathered at Liverpool's Anfeild stadium to mark the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster in which 96 fans were killed.
Many wept openly during the moving ceremony led by the Bishop of Liverpool, Rt. Rev. James Jones.
It included a two-minute silence that was also observed across the city and in Sheffield and Nottingham.
As it ended bells tolled 96 times and priests read aloud the names of each of the 96 men women and children who died in the Leppings Lane Terrace crush at during the 1989 FA Cup semi-final on 15th April 1989.
Hillsborough changed football forever, ending standing terraces at major grounds and bringing improved safety arrangements and stewarding everywhere.
But at Anfield the focus of attention was on remembering and cherishing the memory of those who lost their lives and giving thanks for those who survived.
LFC had originally intended to open the Kop stand for mourners at the memorial service, but in the event so many people turned up most of the 45,000 seats at the huge stadium were filled.
Within minutes of opening the gates every seat in the famous Kop had been occupied and club officials had to open the Main and Centenary Stands to accommodate the unexpected numbers.
Vast swathes of flowers, scarves and shifts were laid out along the touchline, with more and more people coming forward during the service to add their tributes.
At 3.06pm, the exact moment two decades ago that the referee blew the whistle to abandon the game between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest in the face of the gathering tragedy, the crowd stood and kept a two minute silence for the dead.
Many tears marked the faces of the crowd as the silence ended with a long burst of applause, and the choir sang the club's footballing anthem "You'll Never Walk Alone".
Kenny Dalglish, the Liverpool manager in 1989, read a prayer and today's Liverpool team, in dark suits and black ties, stood near those who played 20 years ago.
One church leader asked God for patience in the long wait for justice, and praying for the bereaved families to feel no bitterness.
The club and the city have long been furious that Liverpool fans were initially blamed for causing the tragedy, which was triggered when police wrongly allowed hundreds of fans to cram down a tunnel into an already overcrowded viewing pen.
A message from Andy Burnham MP, on behalf of prime Minister Gordon Brown was interrupted with jeers and boos from fans who remain angered at Government's actions at the time and the continued wait for "Justice for the 96".
Trevor Hicks, who lost two daughters during the tragedy, told how he welcomed the statement from South Yorkshire Chief Constable Meredydd Hughes, admitting the force was responsible for the Hillsborough Disaster.
To rapturous applause Mr Hicks said: "It has been revealed to me that the Chief Constable of South Yorkshire police accepted full responsibility for the disaster.
"I say to the guy, thank God someone has had the balls to stand up and be counted."
Mr Hicks, chairman of the Hillsborough Families Support Group also took a swipe at current Liverpool fans who insist on standing up during games.
He added: "Liverpool fans won't like this but I must say we must be able to show restraint and responsibility.
"The Hillsborough Family Support Group is completely against standing in football stadiums, there is no such thing as safe standing.
"Even at this our home stadium we have seen persistent standing in seated areas.
"This cannot continue. We do not accept that sitting down in stadiums spoils football.
"It is disrespectful for fans who sit behind you if you stand up.
"It is time everyone showed some respect and sat down in the seats provided.
"That is why they were put there in the first place.
"They were put there in because of the death of the 96."
Two minute silences were also held in Nottingham. There was no formal ceremony in Sheffield the scene of the tragedy, but small memorial services took place near the ground.
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