What was Philadelphia’s 1926 anniversary exposition called?

Philadelphia’s 1926 anniversary exposition was called the Sesquicentennial Exposition.

The event commemorated 150 years since the Declaration of Independence, making “sesquicentennial” the appropriate term for a 150th anniversary. It was held in South Philadelphia and included exhibition buildings, entertainment, cultural displays, and industrial showcases.

The exposition followed Philadelphia’s 1876 Centennial Exposition, which marked 100 years, and preceded the nationwide 1976 Bicentennial. These milestone labels can be confusing because each uses a different Latin-derived number term.

The 1926 exposition was intended to celebrate American progress and Philadelphia’s historical importance. Attendance and financial results fell short of some expectations, but the event remains a major part of the city’s anniversary history and provides a direct precedent for the 2026 semiquincentennial.