Philadelphia’s 1876 Centennial Exposition opened on May 10, 1876, as an anniversary event connected to the Declaration of Independence.
The exposition opened nearly two months before the July 4 centennial date. It then continued through November 10, allowing visitors from the United States and abroad to explore its exhibition halls, grounds, machinery displays, and cultural attractions.
The opening ceremony took place in Fairmount Park, where the fair’s major buildings had been constructed. President Ulysses S. Grant and Brazilian emperor Pedro II were among the figures associated with the opening ceremonies, underscoring the event’s international character.
A common mix-up is to use July 4 as the opening date because the fair commemorated the Declaration’s adoption. July 4 was the anniversary being celebrated; May 10 was the exposition’s actual opening day.