Olympic torch In Tiananmen Square

Chinese performers perform during the Olympic torch ceremony at Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China.

Chinese performers perform during the Olympic torch ceremony at Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China. (Feng Li / Getty Images)

Sept. 16, 2014 8:04 AM PT

Hu Jintao, Olympic Torch, Tiananmen Square, Beijing, China

Chinese President Hu Jintao lights a cauldron with the Olympic torch. (Peter Parks / AFP/Getty Images)

Liu Xiang, Olympic Torch, Hu Jintao, Beijing, Tianenmen Square

Chinese President Hu Jintao hands the Olympic torch to champion hurdler Liu Xiang. The torch begins a worldwide tour on April 2. (Adrian Bradshaw / EPA)

Beijing, Olympic Torch, Olympics, Tiananmen Square

Performers wore traditional Chinese costumes for the ceremony. (Robert F. Bukaty / Associated Press)

Olympic Torch, Tiananmen Square, Beijing,

Confetti fills the air over Tiananmen Square during the ceremony. (Guang Niu / Getty Images)

Tianenmen Square, Olympic Torch, Beijing, China

Acrobats perform at the torch lighting ceremony in Tiananmen Square. (Robert F. Bukaty / Associated Press)

Tiananmen Square, Olympic Torch, Beijing, China

Security was tight during the ceremony. (Diego Azubel / EPA)

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