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April 6, 1896: A view of the audience at the opening of the first modern International Summer Olympic Games held at Panathinaiko Stadium in Athens, Greece.![AP1908OLYMPICS]()
July 1, 1908: The commencement of the London Olympics Marathon at Windsor Castle, England.![AP1920OLY]()
August 26, 1920: This photo shows the US contingent leading the athletes in procession at the Antwerp Stadium in Belgium.![AP1924OLY]()
July 15, 1924: Athletes line up on the field and surround French athlete G. Andre while he takes the Olympic oath at Colombes Stadium, Paris, France.![AP1932OLYMPICS]()
July 30, 1932: Athletes march into the Olympic Stadium in Los Angeles, California.![AP1936OLYMPICS]()
1936: In this photo, Nazi leaders speak ahead of the opening ceremonies in Lustgarten in Berlin, Germany.![AP1948OLYMPICS]()
July 29, 1948: Jack Mark carries the Olympic torch during the opening ceremonies at Webley Stadium, in London.![AP1952OLY]()
July 19, 1952: This photo shows the crowd at the Olympic opening ceremony in Helsinki, Finland.![AP1956OLYMPICS]()
Nov. 22, 1956: Teams assemble in Melbourne Stadium for the opning ceremonies of the Summer Games in Melbourne, Australia.![AP1960OLYMPICS]()
Aug. 25, 1960: The East and West German team marches into the Olympic Stadium in Rome, Italy.![AP1964OLYMPICS]()
Oct. 10, 1964: Festivities at the opening ceremony of the Summer Games in Tokyo, Japan.![AP1964OLYMPICS2]()
Oct. 10, 1964: The Summer Games kick off in Tokyo, Japan.![AP1968Olympics]()
1968: Athletes and spectators watch the release of balloons in Mexico City, Mexico.![AP1972OLYMPICS]()
Aug. 26, 1972: The opening ceremonies get under way in Munich, Germany.![AP1972OLYMPICS2]()
Aug. 26, 1972: Spectators and athletes enjoy the festivities at the Olympic Stadium in Munich, Germany.![AP1976OLYMPICS]()
July 17, 1976: The scenes of the XXI Olympiad come alive in Montreal, Canada.![AP1980OLYMPICS]()
July 19, 1980: Performers take the field at the Olympic Games in Moscow.![AP1984OLYMPICS]()
1984: This photo shows five-foot high helium balloons being released by performers at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in California.![AP1988OLYMPICS]()
Sept. 17, 1988: The Olympic torch towers above Olympic stadium in Seoul.![AP1992OLYMPICS2]()
July 25, 1992: Festivities are under way at the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain.![AP1996OLYMPICS]()
1996: US Olympians lead the athletes in to the opening ceremony of the Centennial Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia.![AP2000OLYMPICS]()
2000: Spectators fill the stands at the ceremonies of the 200 Summer Olympics in Sudney, Australia.![AP2000OLYMPICS2]()
2000: Australian runner Cathy Freeman stands under the Olympic torch after lighting the flame at the opening ceremonies in SydneyA, Australia.![AP2004OLYMPICS]()
2004: Fireworks explode at the conclusion of the opening ceremony of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.![AP2008OLYMPICS]()
2008: Performers stun the audience at the Olympic Games opening ceremony in Beijing.A history of opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games
As the world anxiously awaits the July 27 opening of the 2012 London Games, here is a look at the past Olympic ceremonies that amazed the crowds.
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- A history of opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games
