Groundbreaking, also known as cutting, sod-cutting, turning the first sod, turf-cutting, or a sod-turning ceremony, is a traditional

ceremony A ceremony (, ) is a unified ritualistic event with a purpose, usually consisting of a number of artistic components, performed on a special occasion. The word may be of Etruscan language, Etruscan origin, via the Latin . Religious and civil ...

in many cultures that celebrates the first day of

construction Construction are processes involved in delivering buildings, infrastructure, industrial facilities, and associated activities through to the end of their life. It typically starts with planning, financing, and design that continues until the a ...

for a

building A building or edifice is an enclosed Structure#Load-bearing, structure with a roof, walls and window, windows, usually standing permanently in one place, such as a house or factory. Buildings come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and functions, a ...

or other project. Such ceremonies are often attended by dignitaries such as

politician A politician is a person who participates in Public policy, policy-making processes, usually holding an elective position in government. Politicians represent the people, make decisions, and influence the formulation of public policy. The roles ...

s and

business Business is the practice of making one's living or making money by producing or Trade, buying and selling Product (business), products (such as goods and Service (economics), services). It is also "any activity or enterprise entered into for ...

people. The

shovel A shovel is a tool used for digging, lifting, and moving bulk materials, such as soil, coal, gravel, snow, sand, or ore. Most shovels are hand tools consisting of a broad blade fixed to a medium-length handle. Shovel blades are usually made ...

used during the groundbreaking is often a special ceremonial shovel, sometimes colored gold, meant to be saved for subsequent display and may be engraved. In other groundbreaking ceremonies, a

bulldozer A bulldozer or dozer (also called a crawler) is a large tractor equipped with a metal #Blade, blade at the front for pushing material (soil, sand, snow, rubble, or rock) during construction work. It travels most commonly on continuous tracks, ...

is used instead of a shovel to mark the first day of construction. In some groundbreaking ceremonies, the shovel and the bulldozer mark the first day of construction. In other places, this ceremony can be replaced by a "laying of the first stone" event.

Meaning

When used as an adjective, the term ''groundbreaking'' may mean being or making something that has never been done, seen, or made before, "stylistically innovative works".

History

Groundbreaking ceremonies have been celebrated for centuries to begin the construction of a property, thanking those who made it possible. Early ceremonies were rooted in religion. Though adapted to modern times, these ceremonies are still important to the construction industry. Initially, some offerings/refreshments were also used to offer in such ceremonies, including: * Fruit * Wine * Grains * Incense * Beans * Tea leaves * Sacred items, like holy coins and relics

Historical groundbreaking ceremonies

The first documented groundbreaking ceremony took place in ancient

China China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. With population of China, a population exceeding 1.4 billion, it is the list of countries by population (United Nations), second-most populous country after ...

, in 113 BC. Later, the tradition of symbolically consecrating the project's location became a part of Hindu, Taoist, Shinto, Buddhist, and Feng Shui traditions. Historically, these are some notable events that were inaugurated by groundbreaking ceremonies. * The festival for the

Washington Monument The Washington Monument is an obelisk on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., built to commemorate George Washington, a Founding Fathers of the United States, Founding Father of the United States, victorious commander-in-chief of the Continen ...

in 1848 was hosted by President James K. Polk. * The ceremony for the Parliament House in

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, Australia in 1980 was held for Queen Elizabeth.

Modern approach to groundbreaking ceremonies

The reason for holding groundbreaking ceremonies in today's modern world has nothing or little to do with religion. Today, the western world exercises this old-age practice with a different purpose. Today, the celebratory serves as a business activity for building interest in a new project/building. The ceremony generates positive press and regards those who are significant to the development and its overall scope. Usually, the project developer organizes groundbreaking ceremonies to attract clients and reflect positive impacts on the community, customers/clients, and employees. Often such ceremonies also incorporate speeches by people of influence, like the founder of the company, a

celebrity Celebrity is a condition of fame and broad public recognition of a person or group due to the attention given to them by mass media. The word is also used to refer to famous individuals. A person may attain celebrity status by having great w ...

, or a known politician/member of the community. The sole purpose of such speeches is to showcase how a company is working, growing, meeting its mission, and/or reflecting on its vision, the company's struggles, and future plans. To create a lasting impression of the company and the ceremony, some common supplies, including shovels, hard hats, etc., are given to participants/attendees.

Recent trends

Nowadays, real estate companies are trying different approaches to their groundbreaking ceremonies to stand out among their competitors and draw media attention. Lowe Enterprises, a Los Angeles developer, hosted a "wall raising" in 1997 to draw attention to the start of their building project. Another developer from

Santa Monica Santa Monica (; Spanish language, Spanish: ''Santa Mónica'') is a city in Los Angeles County, California, Los Angeles County, situated along Santa Monica Bay on California's South Coast (California), South Coast. Santa Monica's 2020 United Sta ...

hosted a "bottoming out" party to mark the completion of their parking garage's lowest level. A Hollywood developer, TrizecHahn, practiced another unconventional ceremony. The company hosted a costly groundbreaking event for its $350-million Hollywood & Highland entertainment-retail project. The event was served by music producer

Quincy Jones Quincy Delight Jones Jr. (March 14, 1933 – November 3, 2024) was an American record producer, composer, arranger, conductor, trumpeter, and bandleader. Over the course of his seven-decade career, he received List of awards and nominations re ...

and catered by the famed chef Wolfgang Puck.

Gallery

Staedel-spatenstich-2009-038.jpg, Groundbreaking ceremony with

s, marking the start of construction of the new Städel Museum in

Frankfurt am Main Frankfurt am Main () is the most populous city in the States of Germany, German state of Hesse. Its 773,068 inhabitants as of 2022 make it the List of cities in Germany by population, fifth-most populous city in Germany. Located in the forela ...

on September 6, 2009 File:Nikolaus-schweickart-ffm-009.jpg, Engraved shovel prepared for the groundbreaking ceremony of the new Städel Museum Inicio de las obras de la nueva Línea 6 de Metro.jpg, Groundbreaking ceremony with an

excavator Excavators are heavy equipment (construction), heavy construction equipment primarily consisting of a backhoe, boom, dipper (or stick), Bucket (machine part), bucket, and cab on a rotating platform known as the "house". The modern excavator's ...

, marking the start of construction of the new Line 6 of the

Santiago Metro The Santiago Metro () is a rapid transit system serving the city of Santiago, the capital of Chile. It currently consists of seven lines (numbered 1-6 and 4A), 143 stations, and of revenue route. The system is managed by the state-owned Metro S. ...

on September 13, 2012, in which President Sebastián Piñera (fourth from left) took part Turning the first sod at Sault Ste-Marie July 30th 1890, on the first publicly owned power canal constructed in Canada, for general distribution of power for industrial purposes (HS85-10-41465).jpg, Turning the first sod at Sault Ste-Marie. July 30, 1890, on the first publicly owned power canal constructed in Canada, for the general distribution of power for industrial purposes Luis Fortuño groundbreaking.jpg, Resident Commissioner Luis Fortuño participates alongside the mayor of Yabucoa, Puerto Rico, Angel García, for the official ceremony of the new construction of the Urban Center and Plaza Ground Breaking Ceremony - Hawaii (8579329440).jpg, Groundbreaking ceremony for the Marine Corps Air Station Operations Complex on Oahu, Hawaii

References

External links

* {{Authority control Ceremonies