Danny Boyle's Olympic Opening Ceremony Voted Second Most Inspiring TV Moment Of All Time

The Most Inspiring TV Moment Of All Time?

Danny Boyle's triumphant Olympic opening ceremony has been hailed as one of the most inspiring TV moments of all time second only to the moon landing, according to an audience survey.

More than 23 million people watched the opening ceremony, which featured a diverse cast including 'James Bond' star Daniel Craig and JK Rowling, and merged music, dance and special effects into a spectacular opening.

It picked up 13% of votes in the poll putting it ahead of the fall of the Berlin Wall (8%) and Nelson Mandela's release from prison (5%).

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The fireworks at Danny Boyle's Olympic opening ceremony

Only the 1969 lunar landing, famed for Neil Armstrong's words "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind", picked up more votes (14%).

The survey, commissioned by Samsung for its forthcoming Future of TV report, found the London 2012 Games were the most inspiring TV event of the year with 31% of the vote.

The paralympics were in second place with 12% of the vote and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee won 7%.

The 'Great British Bake Off', which was credited with a surge in cake-making across the country, won 4% of the votes polled.

A Samsung spokeswoman said: "TV has let us enjoy the best moments of 2012 on the biggest, brightest screen in our home."

Olympic Opening Ceremony
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Team GB, led by flagbearer Sir Chris Hoy, enter the stadium during the London Olympic Games 2012 Opening Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London. (credit:Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 27: Chris Hoy of the Great Britain Olympic cycling team carries his country's flag during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
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Great Britain's Chris Hoy carries the flag during the Olympic Games 2012 Opening Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London. (credit:John Giles/PA Wire)
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Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 27, 2012 at the Olympic stadium in London (credit:Stephen Hull/Huffington Post)
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Actors playing nurses perform during the Great Ormond Street Hospital scene during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 27, 2012 at the Olympic Stadium in London. AFP PHOTO / JEWEL SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:Getty)
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Performers during the Olympic Games 2012 Opening Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London. (credit:John Giles/PA Wire)
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A scene during the London Olympic Games 2012 Opening Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London. (credit:Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
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The Olympic Rings during the Opening Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London. (credit:Mike Egerton/PA Wire)
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A scene during the London Olympic Games 2012 Opening Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London. (credit:Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
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Aerial view shows the people parachuting (upper L) above the Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 27, 2012. AFP PHOTO / ALBERTO PIZZOLI (Photo credit should read ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:Getty)
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PICTURE TAKEN WITH A ROBOTIC CAMERA Actors wait for the beginning of the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in London on July 27, 2012. AFP PHOTO / FRANCOIS-XAVIER MARIT (Photo credit should read FRANCOIS XAVIER MARIT/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:Getty)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 27: Performers depict a traditional 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. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 27: Performers depict a traditional 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. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 27: Frank Turner performs during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
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Actors wait for the beginning of the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in London on July 27, 2012. AFP PHOTO / SAEED KHAN (Photo credit should read SAEED KHAN/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:Getty)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 27: Performers depict a traditional 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. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 27: Performers depict a traditional 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. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
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PICTURE TAKEN WITH A ROBOTIC CAMERA Actors wait for the beginning of the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in London on July 27, 2012. AFP PHOTO / ANTONIN THUILLIER (Photo credit should read ANTONIN THUILLIER/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:Getty)
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Sheep graze during the London Olympic Games 2012 Opening Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London. (credit:Anthony Devlin/PA Wire)
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The scene during the pre-show before the London Olympic Games 2012 Opening Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London. (credit:Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
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A game of cricket is played by performers during the London Olympic Games 2012 Opening Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London. (credit:Dave Thompson/PA Wire)
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An actor tends sheep during the pre-show prior to the Opening Ceremony at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 27, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) (credit:AP)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 27: Guitarist Frank Turner performs during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 27: Cricketers play cricket on the pitch during the preshow prior to the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
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Actors stand under the rain during the British meadow scene prior the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 27, 2012 at the Olympic stadium in London. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:Getty)
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Danny Boyle speaks during the Olympic Games 2012 Opening Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London. (credit:John Giles/PA Wire)
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An actor walks during the British meadow scene prior the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 27, 2012 at the Olympic stadium in London. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:Getty)
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Actors play cricket during the British meadow scene prior the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 27, 2012 at the Olympic stadium in London. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:Getty)
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The scene during the pre-show before the London Olympic Games 2012 Opening Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London. (credit:Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
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The scene during the pre-show before the London Olympic Games 2012 Opening Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London. (credit:Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
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Fans shelter from the rain during the London Olympic Games 2012 Opening Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London. (credit:Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)
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Britain's Prince Charles, left, and his wife Camila, Duchess of Cornwall arrive for the Opening Ceremony at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 27, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) (credit:AP)
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Industrial workers in a scene during the London Olympic Games 2012 Opening Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London. (credit:Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
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Industrial workers in a scene during the London Olympic Games 2012 Opening Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London. (credit:Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
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An actor dressed to resemble Britain's Queen Elizabeth II parachutes from a helicopter over the stadium during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in London on July 27, 2012. AFP PHOTO / OLIVIER MORIN (Photo credit should read OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:Getty)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 27: Giant puppets depict villainous characters from British literature during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
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Actors playing nurses attend to children in hospital beds during the Great Ormond Street Hospital scene in the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in London on July 27, 2012. AFP PHOTO / CHRISTOPHE SIMON (Photo credit should read CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:Getty)
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Actors and dancers play Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital staff and patients during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 27, 2012 at the Olympic stadium in London. AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:Getty)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 27: A general view of the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 27: Performers depict a view of the Industrial Revolution during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
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Sir Kenneth Brannagh recites Shakespeare during the London Olympic Games 2012 Opening Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London. (credit:Anthony Devlin/PA Wire)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 27: 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. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 27: Children representing the Great Ormond Street Hospital, the NHS and children literature take part in the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
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Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 27, 2012 at the Olympic stadium in London (credit:Stephen Hull/Huffington Post)
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Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 27, 2012 at the Olympic stadium in London (credit:Stephen Hull/Huffington Post)
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Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 27, 2012 at the Olympic stadium in London (credit:Stephen Hull/Huffington Post)
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Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 27, 2012 at the Olympic stadium in London (credit:Stephen Hull/Huffington Post)
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Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 27, 2012 at the Olympic stadium in London (credit:Stephen Hull/Huffington Post)
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Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 27, 2012 at the Olympic stadium in London (credit:Stephen Hull/Huffington Post)
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Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 27, 2012 at the Olympic stadium in London (credit:Stephen Hull/Huffington Post)
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The history of Great Britain played during the London Olympic Games 2012 Opening Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London. (credit:Nick Potts/PA Wire)
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Queen Elizabeth II (in pink) sits next IOC President Jacques Rogge as they watch the Olympic Games 2012 Opening Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London. (credit:John Stillwell/PA Wire)
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The Olympic Rings comes together in formation during the London Olympic Games 2012 Opening Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London. (credit:Nick Potts/PA Wire)
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Australian competitors walk out in to the stadium during the London Olympic Games 2012 Opening Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London. (credit:Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)
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Croatia's Olympic team arrives during the Opening Ceremony at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 27, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) (credit:AP)
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Rowan Atkinson performs during the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics, Friday July 27, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Owen Humphreys, PA) UNITED KINGDOM OUT; NO SALES; NO ARCHIVE (credit:AP)
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Argentina's athletes parade in the stadium during the Opening Ceremony at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 27, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) (credit:AP)
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Handball player Mikkel Hansen of Denmark walks toward Olympic Stadium for the Opening Ceremony at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 27, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson) (credit:AP)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 27: The Australian team walk the stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 27: General View of performers and a horse drawn carriage during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 27: Performers dance during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 27: General View of performers during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 27: Dancers perform during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
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Jamaica's athletes led by flag bearer Usain Bolt parade during the London Olympic Games 2012 Opening Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London. (credit:Stephen Pond/PA Wire)
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Ireland's athletes parade during the London Olympic Games 2012 Opening Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London. (credit:Stephen Pond/PA Wire)
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Mary Poppin's characters descend from the roof as a large puppet of Lord Voldemort is raised in the centre of the arena during the London Olympic Games 2012 Opening Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London. (credit:Anthony Devlin/PA Wire)
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Greece's delegation parades during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 27, 2012 at the Olympic stadium in London. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:Getty)
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Team GB, led by flagbearer Sir Chris Hoy, enter the stadium during the London Olympic Games 2012 Opening Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London. (credit:Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
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Athletes from competing nations in the centre of the stadium during the London Olympic Games 2012 Opening Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London. (credit:Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
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PICTURE TAKEN WITH A ROBOTIC CAMERA General view taken as actors perform during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in London on July 27, 2012. AFP PHOTO / FRANCOIS-XAVIER MARIT (Photo credit should read FRANCOIS-XAVIER MARIT/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:Getty)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 27: Fireworks over the Olympic Stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games near Olympic Park on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 27: Fireworks go off over the Olympic Stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
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American Samoa's flagbearer Wei Ching leads his delegation during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 27, 2012 at the Olympic Stadium in London. AFP PHOTO / OLIVIER MORIN (Photo credit should read OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:Getty)
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Fireworks light up over the stadium during the Opening Ceremony at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 28, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (credit:AP)
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Great Britain's Olympic team arrives during the Opening Ceremony at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 27, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) (credit:AP)
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Great Britain's Olympic team arrives during the Opening Ceremony at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 27, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) (credit:AP)
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Canada's Simon Whitfield carries the flag during the Opening Ceremony at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 27, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) (credit:AP)
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Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 27, 2012 at the Olympic stadium in London (credit:Stephen Hull/Huffington Post)
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The Olympic flame is lit during the Olympic Games 2012 Opening Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London. (credit:John Stillwell/PA Wire)
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Fireworks are set off over the Olympic Stadium during the London Olympic Games 2012 Opening Ceremony in the Olympic Park, London. (credit:David Davies/PA Wire)
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Muhammad Ali and his wife Lonnie during the London Olympic Games 2012 Opening Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London. (credit:Dave Thompson/PA Wire)
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Paul McCartney is shown live on the big screens at the Opening Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London. (credit:Mike Egerton/PA Wire)
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Fireworks at the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics Games at the Olympic Stadium, London. (credit:Lewis Whyld/PA Wire)
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Fireworks at the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics Games at the Olympic Stadium, London. (credit:Lewis Whyld/PA Wire)
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The Olympic flame is lit during the London Olympic Games 2012 Opening Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London. (credit:Tony Marshall/PA Wire)
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Great Britain's Sir Chris Hoy carries the Union Flag during the London Olympic Games 2012 Opening Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London. (credit:Dave Thompson/PA Wire)
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The Olympic flame is lit during the Olympic Games 2012 Opening Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London. (credit:John Stillwell/WPA-Rota)
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Fireworks at the Opening Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London. (credit:Lewis Whyld/PA Wire)
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The Olympic flame is lit during the London Olympic Games 2012 Opening Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London. (credit:Stephen Pond/PA Wire)
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Fireworks mark the opening of the London Olympic Games 2012 Opening Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London. (credit:Anthony Devlin/PA Wire)
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Olympic performers and volunteers dance after the London Olympic Games 2012 Opening Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London. (credit:Julien Behal/PA Wire)
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Five-time Olympic rowing gold medallist Steve Redgrave of Britain carries the torch during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 27, 2012 at the Olympic Stadium in London. AFP PHOTO/POOL/CAMERON SPENCER (Photo credit should read Cameron Spencer/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:Getty)
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Ex-Beatle Sir Paul McCartney performs during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 27, 2012 at the Olympic stadium in London. AFP PHOTO / POOL / CAMERON SPENCER (Photo credit should read Cameron Spencer/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:Getty)
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British musician Paul McCartney performs at the end of the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in London on July 27, 2012. AFP PHOTO / OLIVIER MORIN (Photo credit should read OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:Getty)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 27: International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh look on during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Roger Sedres/Gallo Images/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
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Britain's flagbearer Chris Hoy leads his delegation as they parade during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 27, 2012 at the Olympic Stadium in London. AFP PHOTO /POOL/ CAMERON SPENCER (Photo credit should read Cameron Spencer/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:Getty)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 27: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Samantha Cameron, and British Prime Minister David Cameron applaud during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Pool/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 27: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (R) is seen during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 27: (L-R) Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge are seen during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 27: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge is seen talking to London Mayor Boris Johnson as Prince Harry looks on during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 27: (L-R) Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge are seen during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 27: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Samantha Cameron and Prime Minister David Cameron during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 27: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Samantha Cameron and Prime Minister David Cameron during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Pool/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 27: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)