Philadelphia hosted the 1876 Centennial Exposition celebrating 100 years of U.S. independence.
The exposition ran from May 10 to November 10, 1876, in Fairmount Park along Philadelphia’s Schuylkill River. It was officially called the International Exhibition of Arts, Manufactures, and Products of the Soil and Mine, and it became the first official world’s fair held in the United States.
The event connected Philadelphia directly with the nation’s founding story because the Declaration of Independence had been adopted there on July 4, 1776. Exhibits showcased industrial technology, agriculture, art, science, and products from around the world.
Visitors saw landmark structures including Memorial Hall, Machinery Hall, Agricultural Hall, and Horticultural Hall. The exposition also introduced or displayed inventions such as the telephone, typewriter, and sewing machine. It is sometimes confused with the 1939 New York World’s Fair or the 1976 U.S. Bicentennial celebrations, but the 1876 Centennial Exposition was Philadelphia’s centennial event.