READING:
The British Museum had its best year ever in 2013. It had more than 6.7 million visitors. The previous record was 5.9 million, in 2008. Over a million more people visited last year than in 2012. The biggest attractions were the exhibitions Life and Death in Pompeii, and Herculaneum. The museum's director was very happy that so many people came. He told reporters that many things happened last year. Many countries loaned the museum exhibits. The Internet also meant more people decided to visit. The director said the museum had a "dynamic collection" that belonged to the world.
The British Museum has about 13 million exhibits about human history and culture. They are from all over the world. Some countries want some things back. Greece wants the Elgin Marbles back and Egypt wants the Rosetta Stone. China wants the museum to return things the British took in the 19th century. The museum first opened in 1759. Only about 75 people a day visited it. There were 71,000 objects, including 40,000 printed books and many stuffed animals, birds and insects. There were also very old objects from Egypt, Europe, Asia, and North and South America.
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