L. Ron Hubbard Birthday Celebration 2019 Photo Gallery

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More than 6,500 Scientologists from 70 nations gather in Clearwater, Florida, for the annual celebration of the life and legacy of Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard. The joyous weekend of festivities draws thousands for a time-traveling, globe-hopping tribute to the extraordinary life of the religion’s Founder. © 2024 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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“Welcome to the night we honor our Founder. Not that you have never made his acquaintance. But as this is a night to do the formalities, let’s begin with a few basics. This past year saw new Churches of Scientology in every geographic zone, new facilities for forward strides across entire continents, not to mention a brand-new year—2019—that will never be forgotten even though it’s just begun. In short, our expansion is staggering, and, of course, it all wells up from the life and legacy of one man—L. Ron Hubbard.”
—Mr. David Miscavige, ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion © 2024 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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The capacity crowd revels in the celebratory atmosphere as Mr. Miscavige pays tribute to the incomparable life and enduring legacy of L. Ron Hubbard. © 2024 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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The centerpiece of the evening is a presentation from the LRH Biographer, Mr. Dan Sherman, illustrating in vivid detail just how Mr. Hubbard was a man who recognized the humanity in each individual he met, focusing on them in a way that left a lasting impact. To a packed house who knows LRH so well through his writings and recordings, his teachings and technology, Mr. Sherman magnificently deepened their insight into L. Ron Hubbard’s life. © 2024 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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Mr. Sherman takes the audience on an amazing audiovisual journey spanning five decades for a series of days in the life of this extraordinary man and introduces the audience to some of the people who were forever changed just by crossing his path. They include a tale of Ron’s early days as a pilot, when he landed in a Midwestern cow patch and offered townspeople a chance to soar above the fields; his days in a hilltop writer’s retreat above Port Orchard, Washington, where he wrote his first novel and shared passages that impressed a young visitor; and on the New Jersey shore where he rescued a boy from an impending hurricane. © 2024 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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He lived twenty lives in one lifetime. L. Ron Hubbard, the Founder of Scientology was, among everything else, an author, an aviator, an educator, an explorer and a humanitarian. Those in attendance witnessed a series of snapshots into Mr. Hubbard’s life, providing a big-picture view of his inimitable personality. © 2024 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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Mr. Sherman’s spellbinding presentation interweaves video interviews featuring heartfelt accounts from people who engaged with L. Ron Hubbard in what were typical days for him but life-changing encounters for each of them. © 2024 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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Every person interviewed has a unique tale, but each was left with the same impression: they had been in the presence of a great man, who seemed entirely fascinated by them. One interviewee recalled a golden afternoon in the 1980s when, as a young Sears Roebuck saleswoman, she met Mr. Hubbard at his home in California: “When you meet someone that significant, they leave a very special impression on you.” © 2024 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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The evening fast-forwards to 2019 and an awards ceremony underscoring the spirit of the night—a celebration of expansion. More than 40 years ago, LRH was asked what he wanted for his birthday. His answer was the gift of Scientology orgs and missions flourishing in the name of delivering spiritual freedom. © 2024 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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This year the Birthday Game champions stepping into the winner’s circle hit record-breaking performances all along the way. Contestants on show represent six continents and a multitude of global cities from Perth, Australia, to Dublin, Ireland, and Silicon Valley, California. © 2024 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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Taking the cup for the League of Missions was the Scientology Mission of Ulm, Germany. In her acceptance speech, the Executive Director said: “Wow, what a win! We are extremely proud of this achievement. With all the mountains we had to climb, this we never expected. We established a courageous purpose to build a new mission as a stable point in our zone. And with brilliant planning and the help of our staff and public we made this dream come true!” © 2024 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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Cutting a ribbon on their new home this past September, the Church of Scientology Stuttgart, Germany, takes the 2019 Birthday Game trophy: “How did we do it? Our motto: One Org, One Field, One Team. We knew following this motto was the only way to create a new Church of Scientology and the only way to win the Birthday Game!” © 2024 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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In testament to their legacy as the home of L. Ron Hubbard, the Advanced Organization for the UK is hailed 2019 World Champion in their league. “It is my most sincere honor to accept this trophy on behalf of all Saint Hill crew. This has been our greatest of years and now we are the World Champions! Every day we are keeping LRH’s legacy alive. Every day we work to make his home a home to one and all. And our expansion has been nothing short of spectacular.” © 2024 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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Marking a trifecta of victories for their geographic zone is the Continental Liaison Office (CLO) for Europe: “This acknowledgement represents a new era of expansion for Europe, because once Europeans get going, we never stop. Tonight we see the results of this movement with our Grand Champion European Mission, our Grand Champion European Org, and now, this trophy for all of Europe. So yes, we are proud to celebrate a triple-crown victory!” © 2024 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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Mr. Miscavige presents the crowning achievement of this year’s expansion, the opening of the first new Advanced Organization in over 35 years. The historic dedication of a majestic Castle overlooking 22 acres of highveld made the advanced spiritual levels of Scientology available for the first time on African soil. © 2024 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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Castle Kyalami Situated between two of South Africa’s largest cities—Pretoria and Johannesburg—the new Advanced Organization and Saint Hill for Africa in Castle Kyalami stands atop the region’s highest peak.

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Summit of Thrones Within days of opening, the Castle hosted a “Summit of Thrones” convocation that included 14 monarchs from five African nations. The event’s guest of honor, Queen Shebah III, Empress of the Royal African Kingdoms, recognized L. Ron Hubbard for finding “the means to unite all kingdoms and peoples from this cradle of Africa.” © 2024 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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Grand Opening Celebration Led by Mr. Miscavige, the stunning grand opening rang in the New Year and opened the gates to advanced spiritual progress for Scientologists across the Rainbow Nation and the continent.

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Mr. Miscavige awarded the new Advanced Organization of Africa for achieving the size of Old Saint Hill—the organization in East Grinstead, England, that Mr. Hubbard himself headed—an elite designation that signifies an outstanding level of expansion. In accepting the award, the Captain said: “Sir, although it is your birthday, once again, the greatest gift has come from you. An Advanced Organization and continental headquarters now exists in Africa, exactly as you intended. Any who have witnessed the life and spirit of South Africa will agree, the next great civilization you spoke of is becoming a reality. And it will succeed because, with this new base, it now has Scientology and all of its technology on its side. And we owe it all to you.” © 2024 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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The grand opening in Africa was the realization of a dream first expressed by L. Ron Hubbard some 50 years ago—and long shared by many in the audience—and made a reality through the leadership and vision of Mr. Miscavige. © 2024 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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Just 12 months ago, the religion flipped the switch on the Scientology Network, bringing the voice, the story and the message of Scientology to the world—unfiltered, unabashed, unlike anything on television. © 2024 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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SCIENTOLOGY NETWORK YEAR TWO The network’s upcoming season is set to launch later this spring with all new episodes taking viewers across six continents and the diverse activities of the religion, its members and their countless partners in the pursuit of a better world.

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The birthday celebration is sprinkled with a mix of magic and music as legendary jazz star Chick Corea is joined by world-renowned percussionist Hossam Ramzy, who delighted the crowd with their playful tribute to Mr. Hubbard. © 2024 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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The festivities continue at the Church’s campus in downtown Clearwater, with the historic Fort Harrison, The Oak Cove and Sandcastle religious retreats brimming with crowds following the evening’s event. © 2024 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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Live music and excitement fill the air as the crowd continues the birthday celebration. One attendee said: “That was overwhelming, in a wonderful way. There is so much growth. It is enormous, it is massive!” © 2024 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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“We are well on the way to achieving everything LRH has envisioned. And we are forever moving forward on the purpose of giving him the best birthday present―expansion!” said another Scientologist attending the evening’s event. © 2024 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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The birthday weekend culminates with the annual Flag Patrons Ball, an International Association of Scientologists (IAS) gala in recognition of those members whose efforts support Scientology humanitarian initiatives benefiting millions the world over. © 2024 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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Mr. David Miscavige presides over the black-tie affair, making for a stellar International Association of Scientologists Patrons Ball at this 108th LRH Birthday Celebration. © 2024 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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L. Ron Hubbard Birthday Celebration 2019 Photo Gallery

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