Opening Ceremonies: From Athens to Beijing

The five-ring Olympic symbol rises from the floor of the National Stadium during the Opening Ceremonies for the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Aug. 8, 2008.

Fireworks explode over the National Stadium during the Opening Ceremony for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium on Aug. 8, in Beijing, China.

Fireworks explode over the National Stadium during the Opening Ceremony for the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Aug. 8, 2008.

Performers walk around a floating sphere during the Opening Ceremony for the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Aug. 8, 2008.

Dancers during the Opening Ceremonies for the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Aug. 8, 2008.

Fireworks explode over National Stadium during the Opening Ceremonies for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China, Aug. 8, 2008.

The Olympic rings are seen as drummers perform during the Opening Ceremony for the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games on Aug. 13, 2004, at the Sports Complex Olympic Stadium in Athens, Greece.

Fireworks greet the ascending Cauldron containing the Olympic Flame during the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Homebush Bay, Sydney, Australia.

The Opening Ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.

A general view of the festivities going on during the Opening Ceremony of the 1996 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Atlanta, Ga.

An American flag is waved during the Opening Ceremony of the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Atlanta, Ga.

A general view of the festivities going on during the Opening Ceremony of the 1996 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Atlanta, Ga.

Fireworks explode high above the Olympic Stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics on July 25.

Fireworks explode over the Montjuic Stadium Barcelona at the Opening Ceremony for the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain.

A giant Olympic flag is pulled across the field inside the Olympic Stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics on July 25.

General view of the Olympic Stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea.

Dancers perform in the center of the stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the 1988 Summer Olympics held in Seoul in South Korea on Sept. 17, 1988.

Balloons are released during the Opening Ceremony of the 1984 Olympics held in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

General view of the Opening Ceremony for the 1980 Summer Olympic Games on July 19, 1980 in Moscow, Russia.

Photo of the Olympic Games' mascot Misha-bear in Lenin Stadium Moscow wishing everyone good luck at the Opening Ceremony for the 1980 Olympic Games, hosted by the USSR.

General view of the Opening Ceremony at the 1976 Summer Olympic games in Montreal, Canada.

General view as Georges Andre lends the Olympic Oath during the Opening Ceremony for the VIII Olympic Games on May 4, 1924 in Paris, France.

General view of the Opening Ceremony for the VII Olympic Games on April 20, 1920, in Antwerp, Belgium.

General view as the nations take part in the Opening Ceremony for the V Olympic Games on May 5, 1912, in Stockholm, Sweden.

The Opening Ceremony at the 1896 Athens Olympics.