What was Philadelphia’s major 1926 exposition celebrating America’s 150th anniversary called?

Philadelphia’s major 1926 exposition celebrating America’s 150th anniversary was called the Sesquicentennial Exposition.

The event’s full name was the Sesqui-Centennial International Exposition of 1926. It ran in Philadelphia from May 31 to November 30, 1926, and commemorated both the Declaration of Independence and the city’s historical role in the American Revolution.

The exposition occupied a large area in South Philadelphia. Its attractions included exhibition halls, displays of industry and technology, and the Sesqui-Centennial Stadium, later known as John F. Kennedy Stadium. The fair also featured a replica of the Liberty Bell.

“Sesquicentennial” means a 150th anniversary. That makes the 1926 event distinct from the 1876 Centennial Exposition and the 1976 Bicentennial celebrations. These earlier commemorations provide historical context for America250 in 2026.