The History of World Expositions |
The New York World Exposition 1939 & 1940
The ‘Century of Progress’ exhibition in Chicago 1933/34 had influential businessmen in New York turn green with envy: Why could New York not have something similar and lift itself out of the difficulties of Depression? Although New York had been wanting a World Fair for a long time, former attempts had failed at early stages - apart from a feeble answer to the London Fair of 1851 two years later – but that did not deter the New York businessmen. As occasion they decided on the 30 April 1939, the 150. anniversary of the inauguration of the first American President George Washington, easily interpreted as the birthday of the United States of America. A few influential bankers and industrialists, among them the Director of the department store Macy’s T. Percy Strans and President of Title Guarantee and Trust Company George Mac Aneny, pulled a few strings in Washington and got President F. D. Roosevelt’s support in 1935. Governor Lehmann and Lord Mayor La Guardia were open to the World Fair plans, too. Soon a group of 96 people, architects, intellectuals and scientists, started to discuss topics and possibilities. The World Fair was to show contributions of a democratic government system, of science and technology for the future of mankind. |
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EXPOSEEUM - The Museum of World Exhibitions, Hanover, Expo Plaza 11 Open every Sunday from 11 to 16 |
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