Story highlights A day after China's massive parade, skies turn from crystal blue to polluted gray

Residents had nicknamed the blue skies "parade blue"

Beijing (CNN) Well, that was quick.

Less than 24 hours after the end of China's massive military parade, Beijing is back to its usual smoggy self.

Residents woke up Friday morning to find the crystal blue skies that graced the city nearly two weeks suddenly gone -- in their place, the familiar sight and smell of dour gray pollution clouds.

Starting late August, Beijing enjoyed a rare string of continuously clear days as authorities took drastic action to ensure an azure backdrop for the largest parade it's ever held -- a showcase marking the 70th anniversary of Japan's defeat in World War II.

Hundreds of factories were shut during this time, while half of Beijing's five million registered cars were banned from the streets.

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