41.   Shortly before the ceremony began, a dull thud could be heard from a mine being cleared in the distance.

42.   Solemn music played outside the two-story dance hall for four hours and candles were lit Sunday night, when remembrance ceremonies began.

43.   The annual ceremony begins the decorating period for the Christmas Pageant of Peace.

44.   The ceremonies began anyway after a half-hour delay at the urging of President Ezer Weizman.

45.   The ceremonies began early Sunday morning when thousands of Muslims packed the Istiqlal mosque to pray while lying on its marble floors.

46.   The ceremonies began shortly after dusk with a Mass led by Nobel Peace Prize winning Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo.

47.   The ceremony began as brides and grooms walked arm in arm down two ramps into the sports stadium in suburban Cairo.

48.   The ceremony began with the lighting of a tall candle, from which hundreds of faithful lighted their own small candles.

49.   The graduation ceremony began with the cadets in green fatigues, stiff arms swinging above their shoulders, parading to the shrill pitch of a dozen bagpipes.

50.   The empty seats were reallocated to people queuing in the stadium ticket office after the opening ceremony began.