Editing Groundbreaking (section)

{{Short description|Ceremony on the first day of construction}}
{{use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
[[File:Hunts Point groundbreaking.jpg|thumb|Groundbreaking ceremony for [[Hunts Point Cooperative Market]] in New York City, 1962]]
'''Groundbreaking''', also known as '''cutting''', '''sod-cutting''', '''turning the first sod''', '''turf-cutting''', or a '''sod-turning ceremony''', is a traditional [[ceremony]] in many cultures that celebrates the first day of [[construction]] for a [[building]] or other project. Such ceremonies are often attended by dignitaries such as [[politician]]s and [[business]]people.

The [[shovel]] 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]] 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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wise |first=Jeremy |title=Officials break ground on Wiregrass Public Safety Center |date=February 2018 |url=http://www.dothaneagle.com/news/government/officials-tout-importance-of-public-safety-training-center-at-ground/article_43f2d680-0795-11e8-83e7-537caf3b3283.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731030624/https://dothaneagle.com/news/government/officials-tout-importance-of-public-safety-training-center-at-ground/article_43f2d680-0795-11e8-83e7-537caf3b3283.html |archive-date=2021-07-31 |access-date=2021-10-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=January 26, 2018 |title=TSMC has started construction of its 5nm 'Fab 18' in Taiwan |url=https://hexus.net/business/news/components/114695-tsmc-started-construction-5nm-fab-18-taiwan/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731030554/https://hexus.net/business/news/components/114695-tsmc-started-construction-5nm-fab-18-taiwan/ |archive-date=July 31, 2021 |access-date=October 1, 2021 |website=HEXUS}}</ref> In other places, this ceremony can be replaced by a "laying of the [[Cornerstone|first stone]]" event.