1.8M views · 48K reactions | The Athens 2004 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony took place on August 13, 2004, at the Olympic Stadium in Athens, Greece. The event featured a blend of traditional Greek culture and modern technology, with performances highlighting Greek history and mythology. One of the most memorable moments was the lighting of the Olympic cauldron by windsurfer Nikolaos Kaklamanakis. | History In Pictures | Facebook

The opening ceremony of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens was a moment of profound emotion, as the world witnessed the Games returning to their birthplace, Greece. The atmosphere was charged with an unparalleled sense of history and pride, as spectators from around the globe gathered to celebrate this historic homecoming. The ceremony was a masterclass in simplicity, radiance, and classical elegance, deeply moving everyone present. It poignantly reminded us of the 2000 Olympics, which were initia

In 2004, a large earthquake in the Indian Ocean triggered the largest tsunami in recorded history. One of the countries hit by the tsunami was Sri Lanka, where the wave caused one of the worst train disasters in human history when it hit the Queen of the Sea passenger line, which was carrying 1,500 passengers along Sri Lanka's west coast. Watch Destruction Decoded on Wednesdays at 8pm on National Geographic UK. | National Geographic UK