Saturday, April 21, 1962: World's Fair

The Seattle's World Fair opens, built around the futuristic theme "Century 21."

From "The Washington Journey," a 2009 textbook for 7th-graders:

The Space Needle, now an emblem for downtown Seattle, was built for the World's Fair in 1962. The Space Needle was a symbol of the nation's space program, which was pushing hard to get a man on the moon before the Soviets did. The World's Fair was a chance to show what the future might bring in science and technology. A huge science exhibit stressed more science eduation for American students. The monorail was an example of future transportation. It still operates in downtown Seattle.

* Essay from www.historylink.org (Washington state history site): @

* www.62worldsfair.com: @

* "Seattle World's Fair: Then and Now": @

* Anniversary coverage from The Seattle Times: @

* Newsreel on fair's opening: @

* "Let's Go to the Fair" (CBS report with Walter Cronkite): @

* "Century 21 Calling" (Bell System video): @

* Time-lapse video of Space Needle construction: @

* Life magazine, February 9: @

* Life magazine, May 4: @

* "Seattle's 1962 World's Fair" (2010 book by Bill Cotter): @

* "What'll It Be Like in 2000 A.D.?" (Popular Science, April 1962): @

* "Journey to the Stars" (American Cinematographer, 1963): @

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