50th Anniversary of the 1962 World’s Fair: Slideshow

Fifty years ago today, the 1962 World’s Fair, known as the Century 21 Exposition, opened in Seattle, Washington. Designed to explore themes such as science and space exploration, the event celebrated American ingenuity and offered visitors a glimpse at what the future might hold. Seattle emerged from the six-month exposition transformed, featuring the iconic Space Needle, an elevated monorail and various new structures that now make up the Seattle Center site. To commemorate the fair’s 50th anniversary and the legacy it left behind, the Seattle Center is kicking off a series of performances, exhibits and other attractions. Click here to find out more, and check out a gallery of images from the 1962 World’s Fair below.

Seattle Center

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The Seattle Center site, where the 1962 World’s Fair took place 50 years ago. (Credit: Seattle Center)
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International Fountain

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The International Fountain, built for the 1962 World’s Fair. It continues to dazzle spectators with music, light and water shows. (Credit: Carson Jones)
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1962 World’s Fair Poster

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A poster advertising the Century 21 Exposition and featuring the Space Needle. (Credit: Seattle Center)
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1962 World’s Fair Poster

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A poster advertising the Century 21 Exposition and featuring the International Fountain. (Credit: Seattle Center)
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Seattle Center Monorail

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The Seattle Center Monorail, an elevated line built for the 1962 World’s Fair. The original trains still operate daily on a one-mile track. (Credit: Seattle Center)
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Nixons on the Monorail

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Richard, Julie and Pat Nixon approach the fairgrounds on the monorail in 1962. (Credit: Bryce Seidl Collection)
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Space Needle Construction

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The Space Needle an early stage of its construction, which began in April 1961. (Credit: Museum of History & Industry)
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Space Needle Construction

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Workers complete the Space Needle’s halo. (Credit: Museum of History & Industry)
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Space Needle

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The Space Needle today. (Credit: Seattle Municipal Archives)
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Elvis at the World’s Fair

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Elvis Presley presents a ham to Governor Albert Rosellini at the Century 21 Exposition. (Credit: Museum of History & Industry)
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Robert Kennedy Takes a Tour

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Attorney General Robert Kennedy and wife Ethel tour the fairgrounds. (Credit: Museum of History & Industry)
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Miss Century 21

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Miss Century 21 Patricia Ann Dzejachok appears at the World’s Fair. (Credit: Museum of History & Industry)
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Exposition’s Four Millionth Visitor

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Visitor Christine Graham is celebrated as the four millionth visitor to the World’s Fair. (Credit: Puget Sound Regional Branch Washington State Archives, Century 21 Exposition)
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