May 1, 1982 - May 1, 2012
JFK+50 REMEMBERS THE OPENING OF THE 1982 WORLD'S FAIR
Knoxville, Tennessee (JFK+50) 30 years ago today the "1982 International Energy Exposition" opened here in Knoxville, Tennessee.
1982 World's Fair
Knoxville, Tennessee
Photo by John White (1982)
1982 World's Fair
Knoxville, Tennessee
Photo by John White (1982)
President Ronald Reagan was in town to speak at the opening ceremonies which were directed by nationally known television personality, singer & Tennessee native, Dinah Shore.*
The World's Fair site was located between downtown & the campus of the University of Tennessee.
The site included a 266 foot steel tower topped with a 5 story gold globe known as the Sunsphere.
The Sunsphere
Knoxville, Tennessee
Photo by John White (1982)
The theme of the fair was "Energy Turns the World."
Participants in the 1982 World's Fair included the following nations:
Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Egypt, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, United States & West Germany.
The Australian Pavilion
1982 World's Fair
Knoxville, Tennessee
Photo by John White (1982)
The fair closed on October 31, 1982 after welcoming 11 million visitors.
"The Strohaus"
1982 World's Fair
Knoxville, Tennessee
Photo by John White (1982)
*Following is an excerpt from the President's address:
"It is a special pleasure for me to be here....in the shadow of the Sunsphere, a symbol of energy potential, near the banks of the Tennessee River. All Americans can be proud of this World's Fair (which will be host) to the representatives of 22 nations. Americans welcome the world to Tennessee."
1982 World's Fair Pavilions
Knoxville, Tennessee
Photo by John White (1982)
