Grand Ceremonies and Sudden Ruptures

The 5 moments in this challenge

The scenes are shown below — tap a card to reveal its place and year.

1. 

   Round 1 · 1964

   Tokyo Opens Asia's First Olympics

   National Stadium, Tokyo, Japan

   Tokyo became the first Asian city to host the Olympics. Final torchbearer Yoshinori Sakai had been born in Hiroshima on the day of the atomic bombing, giving his appearance extraordinary symbolic weight.

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2. 

   Round 2 · 1913

   The Gamboa Dike Explodes

   Gamboa, Panama

   President Woodrow Wilson sent a telegraph signal from Washington to initiate the Gamboa dike's demolition. The blast connected Gatun Lake with the Culebra Cut, marking a decisive step toward completing the Panama Canal.

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3. 

   Round 3 · 1970

   Fiji Celebrates Independence at Albert Park

   Albert Park, Suva, Fiji

   After nearly a century of British colonial rule, Fiji became independent at ceremonies attended by Prince Charles. Its new pale-blue flag retained the Union Jack, while Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara became the first prime minister.

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4. 

   Round 4 · 1986

   San Salvador's Savior Statue Falls

   Plaza Salvador del Mundo, San Salvador, El Salvador

   A shallow earthquake devastated San Salvador, collapsing buildings and toppling the capital's statue of Christ from its globe. The broken landmark became one of the disaster's most recognizable images; it was subsequently restored.

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5. 

   Round 5 · 1911

   Mutineers Seize Wuchang's Arsenal

   Chuwangtai, Wuchang, Wuhan, China

   Qing New Army mutineers seized the Chuwangtai arsenal, turning a local revolt into the spark of the Xinhai Revolution. Within months, the Qing emperor abdicated, ending more than two millennia of imperial rule.

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