Sean Connery to ring NYSE bell

New York, May 17 (IANS) Sean Connery, the Scottish actor and producer, and Louise Richardson, principal and vice-chancellor of the University of St. Andrews, will ring the opening bell for the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) Thursday morning.

This honour has been granted to the two individuals in recognition of the University of St Andrews' 600th Anniversary celebrations, spanning three calendar years from 2011 to 2013, a press release said.

Richardson and Connery, an honorary graduate of the University of St. Andrews, follow such figures as Nelson Mandela, Rudy Giuliani, Liza Minnelli, the Pink Panther, Gene Simmons, and the New Kids on the Block onto the ornate bell podium and one of the US's highest-profile red carpets.

Ringing the opening bell marks the start of the day's trading session for the world's largest stock exchange, a task broadcast to more than 100 million people worldwide.

Since 1995, the NYSE has invited notable people to ring its opening and closing bells.