By: HISTORY.com Editors

First-ever “Great Exhibition” opens in London

HISTORY.com Editors

Published: February 09, 2010

Last Updated: May 27, 2025

On May 1, 1851, the Great Exhibition opens to wide acclaim in the Crystal Palace in London. Inside the Crystal Palace, a giant glass-and-iron hall designed by Sir Joseph Paxton, more than 10,000 exhibitors set up eight miles of tables. Technological wonders from around the world were on display, but the exposition was clearly dominated by Britain, the premier industrialized nation and workshop of the world.

Conceived by Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria, the Great Exposition was a rousing success, hosting 6 million visitors before it closed in October. The many goods displayed ranged from kitchen appliances to false teeth, silks to farm machinery.

Timeline

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1852

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1898

The U.S. destroys Spanish Pacific fleet in Battle of Manila Bay

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1915

International Congress of Women adopts resolutions on peace, women’s suffrage

On May 1, 1915 in The Hague, Netherlands, the International Congress of Women adopts its resolutions on peace and women’s suffrage. The congress, also referred to as the Women’s Peace Conference, was the result of an invitation by a Dutch women’s suffrage organization to women’s rights activists around the world to gather in peaceful assemblage […]

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Members of the Women's Peace Party arrive for the International Congress of Women, a four-day antiwar protest held at The Hague. Frieda Lawrence and Jane Addams have their names written above them.

1926

Ford factory workers get 40-hour week

On May 1, 1926, Ford Motor Company becomes one of the first companies in America to adopt a five-day, 40-hour week for workers in its automotive factories. The policy would be extended to Ford’s office workers the following August. Henry Ford’s Detroit-based automobile company had broken ground in its labor policies before. In early 1914, […]

1931

Empire State Building dedicated

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1941

“Citizen Kane” released

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1955

Babe Didrikson Zaharias wins final LPGA tournament of her career

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1958

First “Law Day” observed

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1960

American U-2 spy plane shot down over Soviet Union

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1963

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1967

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1997

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2002

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HISTORY.com works with a wide range of writers and editors to create accurate and informative content. All articles are regularly reviewed and updated by the HISTORY.com team. Articles with the “HISTORY.com Editors” byline have been written or edited by the HISTORY.com editors, including Amanda Onion, Missy Sullivan, Matt Mullen, Christian Zapata and Cristiana Lombardo.

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Citation Information

Article title: First-ever “Great Exhibition” opens in London
Author: HISTORY.com Editors
Website Name: History
URL: https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/may-1/great-exhibition-opens

Date Accessed: July 18, 2025
Publisher: A&E Television Networks
Last Updated: May 27, 2025
Original Published Date: February 09, 2010

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