Six people including the match commander David Duckenfield and former chief constable Sir Norman Bettison will be prosecuted over the Hillsborough disaster, nearly 30 years after Liverpool supporters were crushed at Sheffield Wednesday's ground during a cup tie.
Duckenfield, a former South Yorkshire Police chief superintendent and match commander on the day, has been charged with the manslaughter by gross negligence of 95 of the 96 disaster victims, while Bettison is charged with four offences of misconduct in public office.
The CPS said it is alleged that Duckenfield's failures to discharge his personal responsibility were "extraordinarily bad and contributed substantially to the deaths of each of those 96 people who so tragically and unnecessarily lost their lives".
It said it was unable to charge him with the manslaughter of Tony Bland - the 96th casualty - because he died almost four years later.
The law as it applied then meant that no-one could be guilty of murder if the death occurred more than a year and a day later than the date when the injuries were caused.
But it added that it will be applying to the High Court to allow the case to proceed.
An inquest jury last year ruled the victims had been unlawfully killed in a tragedy caused by police blunders.
Barry Devonside, whose son Christopher, 18, was among the 96, pumped his fist as he emerged from the meeting with the lawyers and other relatives.
He said: "Everybody applauded when it was announced that the most senior police officer on that particular day will have charges presented to him."
Speaking in the Commons after the charges were announced, Prime Minister Theresa May welcomed the decision by the CPS and praised the "absolutely exemplary" campaign by the Hillsborough families and others.
Four others charged are:
Former South Yorkshire Police chief superintendent Donald Denton , charged with doing acts with intent to pervert the course of public justice relating to material changes made to witness statements.
Former South Yorkshire Police detective chief inspector Alan Foster , also charged with doing acts with intent to pervert the course of public justice relating to material changes made to witness statements.
Graham Mackrell, who was Sheffield Wednesday's company secretary and safety officer at the time, charged with two offences of contravening a term of condition of a safety certificate, and one offence of failing to take reasonable care for the health and safety of other persons.
Peter Metcalf, the solicitor acting for South Yorkshire Police during the Taylor Inquiry and the first inquests, charged with doing acts with intent to pervert the course of public justice relating to material changes made to witness statements.
All the defendants, except Duckenfield who has not yet been formally charged, will appear at Warrington Magistrates' Court on August 9.
