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July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Civic Brief • Canada Notes

Expo 67

Expo 67, officially the 1967 International and Universal Exposition, was a World’s Fair held in Montreal, Quebec, from April to October 1967.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

Expo 67 was a world's fair held in Montreal in 1967 as Canada's centennial celebration. It attracted over 50 million visitors and is considered one of the most successful world's fairs ever.

What it was

Expo 67 was the 1967 International and Universal Exposition, a category one world's fair sanctioned by the Bureau International des Expositions. It was the centrepiece of Canada's centennial celebrations, held from April 28 to October 29, 1967, on sites including Île Sainte-Hélène and the newly created Île Notre-Dame. The theme was 'Man and His World,' inspired by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's book *Terre des Hommes*.

Why it matters

Expo 67 drew more than 50 million paid admissions over 183 days, setting a single-day attendance record of 569,500. It boosted Montreal's international profile and left a lasting impact on tourism and urban development. The fair showcased innovative architecture like Habitat 67 and the U.S. pavilion's geodesic dome. In 2018, Parks Canada designated Expo 67 a national historic event.

Key details

Sixty-two nations participated, along with other organizations. The fair was Canada's main centennial event, marking 100 years since Confederation. It is widely regarded as one of the most successful world's fairs of the 20th century.

In short

  • Held in Montreal as Canada's centennial celebration
  • Attracted over 50 million paid admissions
  • Set a single-day attendance record of 569,500
  • Featured pavilions from 62 nations
Canadian angle

Expo 67 was a defining event for Canadian national identity in 1967, marking the centennial of Confederation and significantly boosting Montreal’s international profile.

Quick questions

What was Expo 67?
Expo 67 was the 1967 International and Universal Exposition, a World's Fair held in Montreal as part of Canada's centennial celebrations.
When was Expo 67 held?
It ran from April 28 to October 29, 1967.
How many people attended Expo 67?
It received more than 50 million paid admissions, not counting additional official and working admissions.

Sources

  1. The Canadian Encyclopedia — https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/expo-67
    Supports: Official name, centennial context, attendance, duration, costs, and overall historical significance.
  2. Parks Canada — https://parks.canada.ca/culture/designation/evenement-event/expo-67
    Supports: National historic event designation, Montreal location, centennial importance, and visitor totals.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expo_67
    Supports: Dates, category one world’s fair status, participating nations, single-day attendance record, and basic event overview.
  4. Library of Congress — https://guides.loc.gov/quebec/Expo-67-vive-quebec-libre
    Supports: Theme, subthemes, six-month duration, and centennial context.
  5. Tourisme Montréal — https://www.mtl.org/en/experience/expo-67-legacy
    Supports: Legacy, theme, visitor totals, architectural features, and long-term impact on Montreal.