1964 New York World's Fair

1964–1965 New York City
1964–1965 New York City
	Unisphere viewed from observation towers of the New York State Pavilion
Overview
BIE-class	Unrecognized exposition
Name	1964–1965 New York World's Fair
Motto	Peace through Understanding
Building(s)	Unisphere
Area	646 acres (2.61 km2)
Visitors	51,607,448
Organized by	Robert Moses
Participant(s)
Countries	66 (80 including nations without full exhibits)
Business	Nearly 350 companies
Location
Country	United States
City	New York City
Venue	Flushing Meadows–Corona Park
Timeline
Bidding	1959
Awarded	Never
Opening	April 22, 1964; April 21, 1965;
Closure	October 18, 1964; October 17, 1965;
Universal
Previous	Century 21 Exposition in Seattle
Next	Expo 67 in Montreal
Internet
Website	www.nywf64.com

The 1964–1965 New York World's Fair was a world's fair at Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in Queens, New York City, United States. The fair included exhibitions, activities, performances, films, art, and food presented by 80 nations, 24 U.S. states, and nearly 350 American companies. The 646-acre (261 ha) fairground consisted of five sections: the Federal and State, International, Transportation, Amusement, and Industrial areas. Themed to the concept of "peace through understanding", the fair was centered around a stainless-steel model of the Earth called the Unisphere. On opening day, the fair had 139 pavilions, in addition to 34 concessions and shows.

The site had previously hosted the 1939 New York World's Fair. Several businessmen devised plans for a 1964 fair in the 1950s, and the New York World's Fair 1964 Corporation (WFC) was formed in 1959. Although U.S. president Dwight D. Eisenhower approved the fair, the Bureau International des Expositions never recognized it. Construction began in late 1960, and over a hundred exhibitors signed up for the fair over the next three years. The fair ran for two six-month seasons: April 22 to October 18, 1964, and April 21 to October 17, 1965. Despite initial projections of 70 million visitors, the fair had just over 51.6 million guests. After the fair, some pavilions were preserved or relocated, but the vast majority of structures were demolished.

The different sections were designed in various architectural styles, though anyone could host an exhibit if they could afford to rent the land and pay for a pavilion. The fairground had several amusement and transport rides, as well as various plazas and fountains. The fair had 198 restaurants at its peak, and foods from these restaurants, such as Belgian waffles, were popularized through the fair. There were more than 30 entertainment events at the fair, in addition to 40 theaters and various music performances. Exhibitors also displayed sculptures, visual art, and artifacts. In addition, many consumer products were featured at the fair. Though the event was a financial failure that was criticized in the contemporary press, the fair is noted as a showcase of mid-20th-century American culture and technology.

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