After the success of the LHC restart in late 2009, the machine had its first Technical Shutdown over the Christmas period, lasting until the end of February. This time was used fruitfully, both by the accelerator and by CMS (see the first CMS Times edition of 2010). On 27th February the LHC continued its commissioning to 3.5 TeV/beam, beginning with circulation of 450 GeV beams (and associated "splash" events seen in CMS). Less than three weeks later the beams were accelerated to 3.5 TeV - a new World Record! Congratulations to the LHC team. You can read about some of these activities in the 2010 e-commentary.

• e-commentary