Photo: Doug Mills/The New York Times

Games in Beijing Open With a Lavish Ceremony (NYT)

By JIM YARDLEY and DAVID BARBOZA

Published: August 8, 2008

BEIJING — An ecstatic China, an ancient nation so determined to be a modern power, finally got its Olympic moment on Friday night.

With world leaders watching from inside the latticed shell of the National Stadium, the 2008 Beijing Olympics began with an opening ceremony of soaring fireworks, lavish spectacle and a celebration of Chinese culture and international good will. Read More.

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All Eyes on Beijing on Eve of Olympics (Video)