While we often see the aftermath of catastrophic events — the rubble covering New York City after the September 11, 2001 attacks, Queen Elizabeth's Funeral, and heck, even the destruction a tsunami leaves in its wake — there's a split second of normalcy before disaster strikes. 

Sometimes, it's even captured on film. 

From the final moments of John Lennon's life to the build-up to the now-infamous Academy Awards slap, here are 19 photos taken mere seconds before a major catastrophe.