Philadelphia hosted the 1876 Centennial Exposition that helped popularize The Spirit of '76.
The exposition was held in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park from May 10 to November 10, 1876. It commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and was the first official world’s fair held in the United States.
Archibald Willard created The Spirit of '76 in 1875 for the approaching centennial celebrations. The painting was exhibited in connection with the patriotic mood surrounding the anniversary and later became a familiar national symbol.
Philadelphia was especially appropriate for the exposition because the city had been a central location in the founding era. The Declaration of Independence was adopted there in 1776, and the Continental Congress met in the city during the American Revolution.