London 2012: Olympic Opening Ceremony in photos
Rings representing both the Olympics and the Industrial Revolution are lit and lifted during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England.
The Red Arrows perform a flyover prior to the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England.
The Red Arrows, the Royal Air Force aerobatic team fly over the stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England.
Actors perform during the pre-show prior to the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games. The ceremony is held at the Olympic Stadium in London England, July 27, 2012.
A view of the English countryside during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England.
Actors stand during a scene showing a pre industrial rural England during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium July 27, 2012.
The opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games is held at the Olympic Stadium in London England, July 27, 2012.
A performers depicts the cleaning of a chimney in the era known as the Industrial Revolution during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England.
The opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games is held at the Olympic Stadium in London England, July 27, 2012.
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge enjoy the atmosphere during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England.
Artists perform during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England.
Actors and dancers play Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital staff and patients during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games is held at the Olympic Stadium in London England, July 27, 2012.
Performers in the role of Mary Poppins float inside the stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England.
An actor portraying the Queen arrives via parachute after jumping from a helicopter during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium July 27, 2012.
Queen Elizabeth II (R) and Jacques Rogge (L), President of the International Olympic Committee, attend the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England.
Nurses representing the Great Ormond Street Hospital and the NHS take part in the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England.
Actor Rowan Atkinson is seen on a giant screen as he performs during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium July 27, 2012.
British actor Rowan Atkinson in his role as Mr Bean takes part in the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England.
David Beckham passes under Tower Bridge driving a speedboat named 'Max Power' which carries the Olympic Torch with its torchbearer on July 27, 2012 in London, England. Athletes, heads of state and dignitaries from around the world have gathered in the Olympic Stadium for the opening ceremony of the 30th Olympiad. London plays host to the 2012 Olympic Games which will see 26 sports contested by 10,500 athletes over 17 days of competition.
Fireworks light up Tower Bridge as David Beckham drives a speedboat carrying the Olympic flame to the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony on July 27, 2012 in London, England. Athletes, heads of state and dignitaries from around the world have gathered in the Olympic Stadium for the opening ceremony of the 30th Olympiad. London plays host to the Olympic Games which will see 26 sports contested by 10,500 athletes over 17 days of competition.
A general view is displayed while artists perform during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England.
A large Voldemort from the Harry Potter book series looms over performers during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England.
Performers represent a British teenager through the years during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England.
Opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games is held at the Olympic Stadium in London England, July 27, 2012.
Opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games is held at the Olympic Stadium in London England, July 27, 2012.
Performers take part in the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium July 27, 2012.
Performers with a jetpack takes part in the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England.
Luciana Aymar of the Argentina Olympic hockey team carries her country's flag during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England.
Afghanistan's flag bearer Nesar Ahmad Bahawi holds the national flag as he leads the contingent in the athletes parade during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium July 27, 2012.
Algeria's flag bearer Abdelhafid Benchabla (C) holds the national flag as he leads the contingent in the athletes parade during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium July 27, 2012.
American Samoa's flag bearer Ching Wei (C) holds the national flag as he leads the contingent in the athletes parade during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium July 27, 2012.
Armenia's flag bearer Arman Yeremyan holds the national flag as he leads the contingent in the athletes parade during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium July 27, 2012.
Simon Whitfield of Canada marches during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games is held at the Olympic Stadium in London England, July 27, 2012.
Canada's flag bearer Simon Whitfield holds the national flag as he leads the contingent in the athletes parade during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium July 27, 2012.