The Olympic Flame started its historic journey around the world for the 2004 Olympic Games on March 25, 2004. This day is also the anniversary of the revival of the Olympic Games. The ceremony always begins with the lighting of the Olympic flame by the sun’s rays in a time-honored ceremony held in ancient Olympia in Greece.
In ancient times, the Greeks gathered in the serene Valley of Olympia to offer sacrifices to their many gods. In time, the event came to include games and contests, which eventually came to be known as the Olympic Games. The first recorded date of these games was 776 B.C. The Games were then held every four years until 394 A.D. As time passed, additional events were added, and the Games became a five-day festival, which reflected the culture of the people.
Originally, women and girls were excluded from participating in the Olympic Games. Later, separate races known as the Herannic Games in honor of Hera, the wife of Zeus were set up for them.
When conquering Roman armies invaded Greece, the Games lost their importance, and ended in 394 A.D. by order of Emperor Theodosius. Earthquakes, floods, and landslides eventually buried the site of the ancient festival.
In 1896, the Games were revived largely due to the efforts of one man — Baron Pierre de Coubertin!