David Wells
In 1876, we held a huge festival to honor our 100th anniversary. The first official World’s Fair held in the United States, it opened May 10 and closed November 10.
Description
This year we will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of our Declaration of Independence. In 1876, we held a huge festival to honor our 100th anniversary. The first official World’s Fair held in the United States, it opened May 10 and closed November 10. Almost 10 million people flooded Philadelphia’s Fairmont Park to see the thousands of displays and exhibits. 37 countries and 26 states had exhibits, including Nebraska. Among the 200 buildings was the main exhibit hall covering over 21 acres under its roof, the largest building ever constructed at the time. New products shown for first time included the typewriter, and telephone. Brand new taste sensations were popcorn, ice cream sodas and Heinz ketchup. It was here that the public got its first glimpse of the Statue of Liberty.
