In photos: 'Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony'

Performers participating in the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium, known as Bird's Nest, Beijing, China, 08 August 2008. EPA/FRANCK ROBICHON

People are approaching the illuminated arena prior to the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium, known as Bird's Nest, Beijing, China, 08 August 2008. EPA/JENS BUETTNER

Performers participating in the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium, known as Bird's Nest, Beijing, China, 08 August 2008. EPA/FRANCK ROBICHON

Performers participating during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium, known as Bird's Nest, Beijing, China, 08 August 2008. EPA/DIEGO AZUBEL

Performers participating during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium, known as Bird's Nest, Beijing, China, 08 August 2008. EPA/Kay Nietfeld

Performers participating during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium, known as Bird's Nest, Beijing, China, 08 August 2008. EPA/DIEGO AZUBEL

Performers participating during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium, known as Bird's Nest, Beijing, China, 08 August 2008. EPA/Kay Nietfeld

A general view of the Bird's Nest, the National Stadium, during the sound and light performance by drummers during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, Beijing, China, 08 August 2008. EPA/GERO BRELOER

Performers participating during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium, known as Bird's Nest, Beijing, China, 08 August 2008. EPA/DIEGO AZUBEL

A general view of the Bird's Nest, the National Stadium, during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, Beijing, China, 08 August 2008 as the fire works take it to the sky at 8:00 pm. EPA/GERO BRELOER

Performers participating in the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium, known as Bird's Nest, Beijing, China, 08 August 2008. EPA/FRANCK ROBICHON

Turkish flag bearer Mehmet Ozal leads the team into the stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium, known as Bird's Nest, Beijing, China, 08 August 2008. EPA/Kay Nietfeld EPA/Kay Nietfeld

Performers waving banners to form a ship during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium, known as Bird's Nest, Beijing, China, 08 August 2008. EPA/JOHN MABANGLO

Performers participating in the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium, known as Bird's Nest, Beijing, China, 08 August 2008. EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS

The Olympic rings are pulled into the air during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium, known as Bird's Nest, Beijing, China, 08 August 2008. EPA/GERO BRELOER

Performers participating during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium, known as Bird's Nest, Beijing, China, 08 August 2008. EPA/Kay Nietfeld

Performers participating during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium, known as Bird's Nest, Beijing, China, 08 August 2008. EPA/DIEGO AZUBEL

The Chinese flag flies during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium, known as Bird's Nest, Beijing, China, 08 August 2008. EPA/Gero Breloer

Performers participating during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium, known as Bird's Nest, Beijing, China, 08 August 2008. EPA/JOHN MABANGLO

Chinese pupeteers perform during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium, known as Bird's Nest, Beijing, China, 08 August 2008. EPA/PEER GRIMM

Performers during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium, known as Bird's Nest, Beijing, China 08 August 2008. EPA/BERND THISSEN

A general view of the Bird's Nest, the National Stadium, during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, Beijing, China, 08 August 2008. as the first fire works take it to the sky at 8:00 pm. EPA/GERO BRELOER

Drummers perform at the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium, known as Bird's Nest, Beijing, China, 08 August 2008. EPA/PEER GRIMM

Chinese performers during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium, known as Bird's Nest, Beijing, China, 08 August 2008. EPA/DIEGO AZUBEL

Chinese soldiers stay in line during fireworks at the start of the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium, known as Bird's Nest, Beijing, China, 08 August 2008. EPA/Oliver Weiken

Chinese soldiers stay in line during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium, known as Bird's Nest, Beijing, China, 08 August 2008. EPA/Oliver Weiken

Fireworks go off over Tiananmen Square during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, Beijing, China, 08 August 2008. EPA/Kay Nietfeld

Performers participating during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium, known as Bird's Nest, Beijing, China, 08 August 2008. EPA/JOHN MABANGLO

Performers participating during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium, known as Bird's Nest, Beijing, China, 08 August 2008. EPA/DANIEL DAL ZENNARO

Fireworks go off over the National Stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium, known as Bird's Nest, Beijing, China, 08 August 2008. EPA/How Hee Young