Dennis Grombkowski / Getty Images

Artists perform as a choir performs 'Principia' by Errollyn Wallen during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympics at the Olympic Stadium on August 29,

Dennis Grombkowski / Getty Images

Artists perform with umbrellas during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympics at the Olympic Stadium on August 29.

Clive Rose / Getty Images

Artists perform during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympics at the Olympic Stadium on August 29 in London, England.

Toby Melville / Reuters

Performers are lifted into the air in the Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympic Games August 29.

Slideshow: Olympics Opening Ceremony

James Bond, a giant baby, and fireworks help kick off the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Launch slideshow

"Enlightenment" is the theme for the opening ceremonies of the 2012 London Paralympic Games. Physicist Stephen Hawking was the show's MC and British royalty was in attendence. Some of the photos from today's ceremonies look similar to photos from the Olympic Opening Ceremonies on July 27. The Guardian reports that though there are similarities, it is supposed to be very different.

Over the next 11 days, 4,200 athletes from 164 nations and territories will compete in a variety of sports including wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby. 

Story: 'Meet the Superhumans': Paralympians burst onto the world stage

Matt Dunham / AP

Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron plays tennis with London mayor Boris Johnson in Trafalgar Square in London, on Thursday, Sept. 8.

It may appear that Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron has a hard time resisting tennis in any form while wearing a token white shirt and blue tie.

Today, Cameron picked up a racquet and faced off against London Mayor Boris Johnson in support of Paralympic International Day in Trafalgar Square.

The prime minister donned a similar look during President Obama's visit, and the subsequent duo playing table tennis.

AFP - Getty Images

Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron plays tennis during the Paralympic International Day in Trafalgar Square in London on Sept. 8. London 2012 hosted International Paralympic Day in Trafalgar Square today. A full day of activity was planned to celebrate Paralympic sports and give the public a chance to see 20 sports highlighted at the games and meet the athletes.

London 2012 hosted International Paralympic Day in Trafalgar Square today. A full day of activity was planned to celebrate Paralympic sports and give the public a chance to see 20 sports highlighted at the games and meet the athletes.