 | Welcoming Year 2004: Balloons fly in the sky over Sao Paulo's downtown area as part of year-end festivities, December 30, 2003. click to open  |
 | Welcoming Year 2004: Shinto priests leave the main shrine after a shinto ritual to usher off 2003 and prepare for the new year at the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, December 31, 2003. Some two million people are expected to visit the shrine during the first three days in the new year to pray for long life and happiness. click to open |
 | Welcoming Year 2004: Shinto priests walk toward the main shrine for a ceremony to usher off 2003 and prepare for the new year, at the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, December 31, 2003. Some two million people are expected to visit the shrine during the first three days in the new year to pray for long life and happiness. click to open |
 | Welcoming Year 2004: Shinto priests walk through a wooden torii gate to leave the main shrine after a shinto ritual to usher off 2003 and prepare for the new year at the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, December 31, 2003. Some two million people are expected to visit the shrine during the first three days in the new year to pray for long life and happiness. click to open |
 | Welcoming Year 2004: Iraqi youths practice dance steps prior to a New Years Eve concert at Baghdad's School of Music and Ballet, December 31, 2003. click to open |
 | Welcoming Year 2004: Iraqi children sing during a New Years Eve concert at Baghdad's School of Music and Ballet, December 31, 2003. click to open |
 | Welcoming Year 2004: Iraqi girls perform ballet during a New Years Eve concert at Baghdad's School of Music and Ballet, December 31, 2003. click to open |
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