Philadelphia hosted the 1876 Centennial Exposition, the United States’ major public celebration of its 100th anniversary.
Officially called the International Exhibition of Arts, Manufactures, and Products of the Soil and Mine, the exposition ran from May 10 to November 10, 1876. It was held in Fairmount Park, along the Schuylkill River, and marked the centennial of the Declaration of Independence’s adoption.
The event was also the first official world’s fair held in the United States. Exhibits showcased agriculture, manufacturing, mining, education, science, and horticulture, reflecting the country’s industrial ambitions after the Civil War. About 10 million people attended, and 37 countries participated.
The exposition is sometimes confused with events held at Independence Hall, where the Declaration was debated and adopted. The fair itself took place in Fairmount Park, not inside the historic building. Its Philadelphia setting also echoed the city’s central role in the founding era, making it a natural site for the nation’s centennial celebration.