The athletes taking part in the Games - led, as tradition dictates, by the Olympics' spiritual home Greece - made laps of the stadium bearing their nations's flags
Red Arrows perform flypast over Olympic Stadium
Cyclist Bradley Wiggins, wearing a yellow jersey, rang the largest harmonically tuned bell in the world to start the show
India's flag bearer Sushil Kumar holds the national flag as he leads the contingent in the athletes parade during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games
The three-hour spectacle, a quirky take on UK life, was viewed by TV audiences around the globe
Jamaica's flag bearer Usain Bolt holds the national flag as he leads the contingent in the athletes parade during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium
Athletes of participating countries stand in the middle of the Olympic Stadium after the athletes parade at the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games
Athletes take their places in the Olympic Stadium during the athletes parade at the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games
Fireworks explode over the Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games
Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics Games at the Olympic Stadium in London
The Olympic rings hang on London's Tower Bridge as a speedboat driven by Britain's David Beckham and carrying the Olympic torch prepares to mark the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games
India's flag bearer Sushil Kumar holds the national flag as he leads the contingent in the athletes parade during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium