Opening Day Ceremony: 12 February 2010

Closing Day Ceremony: 28 February 2010

Location: Vancouver, Canada

On 12 February, flames from the Olympic torch will light up the Olympic Stadium in the city of Vancouver, for the 21st Winter Olympic Games.

Why wont the UK see the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics until 13 February?

The time in the UK is 8 hours ahead of Vancouver.

When did the Winter Olympic Games begin?

The Winter Olympics began in 1924, and like the Summer Olympics, happen every four years. The modern games are based on Olympic Games that took place in ancient Greece almost 2,800 years ago.

All sports ar the winter Olympic Games take place on ice or snow.

Can you name the seven main sports?

Find out about the Olympic sports

Quick Facts

The Olympic Games took their name from the Greek city of Olympia in honour of the Greek God, Zeus.

The French town of Chamonix in the Haute-Savoie hosted the first Olympic Winter Games in 1924.

The last Winter Olympics was in 2006 in Turin (Torino), Italy.

The next winter Olympics will be held in Sochi, Russia in 2014.

Also on this Day

12 February 1809: Abraham Lincoln was born
In 1861, Abraham Lincoln became the 16th President of the United States. Lincoln kept the United States together during the Civil War and helped to end slavery. He was assassinated shortly after the end of the war.

Abraham Lincoln's nickname was Honest Abe.
Why do you think honesty is important?

12 February 1809: Charles Darwin was born
Darwin was an English naturalist who had a passion for nature. Through his studies, he realised that all species of life evolved over time from common cells billions of years ago. He sailed around the world observing and drawing animals to demonstrate this.

Darwin's theory of evolution is one of the most important theories ever.

Maha Shivaratri (Great Shiva Night) (Hindu)
The main festival to worship Shiva, one of the most important forms of God. Many Hindus will fast and prayers are focused on Shiva and his shrines and statues.
Each new moon is dedicated to Shiva, but Maha Shivratri is especially important because it is the night when he danced the 'Tandav', his cosmic dance.

Links

Multifaith Calendar 2010

Hindu Religion