Sydney's 2009 Fireworks
Record crowds of 1.5 million kicked off global New Year celebrations in the Australian city of Sydney on Wednesday, December 31, with a fireworks extravaganza over the city's iconic harbour Bridge and Opera House. With almost double the bang of last year, the show cost an estimated 3.43 million, and organizers of the fireworks gala provided the largest display ever, with some 11,000 pounds of shells, comets and individual effects dazzling spectators. (Reuters photos)