April 6, 1896: A view of the audience at the opening of the first modern International Summer Olympic Games held at Panathinaiko Stadium in Athens, Greece.
July 1, 1908: The commencement of the London Olympics Marathon at Windsor Castle, England.
August 26, 1920: This photo shows the US contingent leading the athletes in procession at the Antwerp Stadium in Belgium.
July 15, 1924: Athletes line up on the field and surround French athlete G. Andre while he takes the Olympic oath at Colombes Stadium, Paris, France.
July 30, 1932: Athletes march into the Olympic Stadium in Los Angeles, California.
1936: In this photo, Nazi leaders speak ahead of the opening ceremonies in Lustgarten in Berlin, Germany.
July 29, 1948: Jack Mark carries the Olympic torch during the opening ceremonies at Webley Stadium, in London.
July 19, 1952: This photo shows the crowd at the Olympic opening ceremony in Helsinki, Finland.
Nov. 22, 1956: Teams assemble in Melbourne Stadium for the opning ceremonies of the Summer Games in Melbourne, Australia.
Aug. 25, 1960: The East and West German team marches into the Olympic Stadium in Rome, Italy.
Oct. 10, 1964: Festivities at the opening ceremony of the Summer Games in Tokyo, Japan.
Oct. 10, 1964: The Summer Games kick off in Tokyo, Japan.
1968: Athletes and spectators watch the release of balloons in Mexico City, Mexico.
Aug. 26, 1972: The opening ceremonies get under way in Munich, Germany.
Aug. 26, 1972: Spectators and athletes enjoy the festivities at the Olympic Stadium in Munich, Germany.
July 17, 1976: The scenes of the XXI Olympiad come alive in Montreal, Canada.
July 19, 1980: Performers take the field at the Olympic Games in Moscow.
1984: This photo shows five-foot high helium balloons being released by performers at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in California.
Sept. 17, 1988: The Olympic torch towers above Olympic stadium in Seoul.
July 25, 1992: Festivities are under way at the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain.
1996: US Olympians lead the athletes in to the opening ceremony of the Centennial Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia.
2000: Spectators fill the stands at the ceremonies of the 200 Summer Olympics in Sudney, Australia.
2000: Australian runner Cathy Freeman stands under the Olympic torch after lighting the flame at the opening ceremonies in SydneyA, Australia.
2004: Fireworks explode at the conclusion of the opening ceremony of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.
2008: Performers stun the audience at the Olympic Games opening ceremony in Beijing.
As the world anxiously awaits the July 27 opening of the 2012 London Games, here is a look at the past Olympic ceremonies that amazed the crowds.