Philadelphia hosted the 1926 Sesquicentennial Exposition marking 150 years since the Declaration of Independence.
The Sesquicentennial International Exposition was held in Philadelphia, the same city that had hosted the 1876 Centennial Exposition. Its purpose was to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Declaration and the 50th anniversary of the earlier world’s fair.
The exposition opened on May 31, 1926, in South Philadelphia and continued through November. Its grounds included a large replica Liberty Bell covered with thousands of light bulbs, while Sesqui-Centennial Stadium hosted ceremonies, pageants, and sporting events.
The event is sometimes confused with the 1926 Philadelphia commemorative coins or with the 1976 Bicentennial. “Sesquicentennial” means 150 years, so the 1926 exposition belongs between the 1876 Centennial and the 1976 Bicentennial. The fair attracted millions of visitors but suffered financial problems and ended with substantial losses.