Editing Groundbreaking

{{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.

==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<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Dustin |date=2022-01-18 |title=The History and Importance of Groundbreaking Ceremonies |url=https://perlo.biz/the-history-and-importance-of-groundbreaking-ceremonies/ |access-date=2022-10-31 |website=Perlo Construction |language=en}}</ref>

=== Historical groundbreaking ceremonies ===
The first documented groundbreaking ceremony took place in ancient [[China]], 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]] in 1848 was hosted by President [[James K. Polk]]. 
* The ceremony{{clarify|reason=What ceremony? Parliament House, Melbourne is much older than 1980, and the article does not mention any 1980 event|date=December 2024}} for the Parliament House in [[Melbourne]], Australia in 1980 was held for [[Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother|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]], 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 hat]]s, etc., are given to participants/attendees.<ref name=":0" />

=== 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, California|Santa Monica]] hosted a "bottoming out" party to mark the completion of their parking garage's lowest level.

A Hollywood developer, [[The Hahn Company|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]] and catered by the famed chef [[Wolfgang Puck]].<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite web |date=1999-04-13 |title=Last Rites for the Groundbreaking Tradition? |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-apr-13-fi-26827-story.html |access-date=2022-10-31 |website=Los Angeles Times }}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery mode="packed" heights="130">
Staedel-spatenstich-2009-038.jpg|Groundbreaking ceremony with [[shovel]]s, marking the start of construction of the new [[Städel|Städel Museum]] in [[Frankfurt am Main]] 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]], marking the start of construction of the new Line 6 of the [[Santiago Metro]] 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, Ontario|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
</gallery>

==See also==
{{External media|width=210px|image1=[http://unitproj.library.ucla.edu/dlib/lat/display.cfm?ms=uclalat_1429_b3714_G2838&searchType=subject&subjectID=216026 Groundbreaking ceremony] in [[Los Angeles]], [[California]] (1933), featuring a [[steam shovel]] }}
*[[Builders' rites]]
*[[Topping out]]
*[[Publicity stunt]]
*[[Ribbon cutting ceremony]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Wiktionary}}
* {{Commons category-inline|Groundbreaking ceremonies}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Ceremonies]]