Eiffel Tower turns 120

More than a thousand balloons released to mark the Eiffel Tower's 120th birthday dotted the Paris sky and turned the heads of tourists waiting to visit the monument. The most instantly recognizable symbol of Paris was inaugurated May 19, 1889. Since then, it has become one of the world's most visited tourist sites.

More than a thousand balloons released to mark the Eiffel Tower's 120th birthday have dotted the Paris sky and turned the heads of tourists waiting to visit the monument.

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The most instantly recognizable symbol of Paris was inaugurated May 19, 1889. Since then, it has become one of the world's most visited tourist sites.

The Eiffel Tower receives 18,000 visitors per day, or nearly 7 million a year. Those lucky enough to visit Tuesday were treated to a special show.

The multicolored medley of balloons swirled around the slim steel structure designed by Gustave Eiffel before wafting lazily across the Paris skyline.

A new exhibit, "Tales of the Eiffel Tower," which tells the story of the tower with photos, posters and illustrations, opened last week.