Philadelphia hosted the 1926 Sesquicentennial Exposition before the United States Semiquincentennial.
The exposition marked 150 years since the Declaration of Independence. Philadelphia was a natural setting because the city hosted the Second Continental Congress and contains Independence Hall, where the Declaration is traditionally associated with the founding era.
The 1926 event formed part of a longer sequence of national anniversary observances centered on Philadelphia. The city hosted the 1876 Centennial Exposition, the 1926 Sesquicentennial Exposition, and major activities connected with the 2026 Semiquincentennial.
The term sesquicentennial means a 150th anniversary. It is sometimes confused with semiquincentennial, which means 250th anniversary. The sequence is useful for remembering the dates: 1876 was the centennial, 1926 was the sesquicentennial, 1976 was the bicentennial, and 2026 was the semiquincentennial. The 1926 host city remained Philadelphia throughout that terminology shift.