| 1939 New York City | |
|---|---|
 Poster by Joseph Binder | |
| Overview | |
| BIE-class | Universal exposition |
| Category | Second category General Exposition |
| Name | New York World's Fair |
| Motto | The World of Tomorrow |
| Area | 1,202 acres (486 hectares) |
| Organized by | Grover Whalen |
| Participant(s) | |
| Countries | 62 |
| Organizations | 1,400 |
| Location | |
| Country | United States |
| City | New York City |
| Venue | Flushing Meadows–Corona Park |
| Coordinates | 40°44′39″N 73°50′40″W / 40.74417°N 73.84444°W |
| Timeline | |
| Opening | April 30, 1939 (first season) May 11, 1940 (second season) |
| Closure | October 31, 1939 (first season) October 27, 1940 (second season) |
| Universal expositions | |
| Previous | Exposition Internationale des Arts et Techniques dans la Vie Moderne in Paris |
| Next | Exposition internationale du bicentenaire de Port-au-Prince in Port-au-Prince |
| Specialized Expositions | |
| Previous | Second International Aeronautic Exhibition (1938) in Helsinki |
| Next | International Exhibition on Urbanism and Housing (1947) in Paris |
| Simultaneous | |
| Universal | Golden Gate International Exposition |
| Specialized | Exposition internationale de l'eau in Liège |
The 1939 New York World's Fair (also known as the 1939–1940 New York World's Fair) was an international exposition at Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in Queens, New York City, United States. The fair included exhibitions, activities, performances, films, art, and food presented by 62 nations, 35 U.S. states and territories, and 1,400 organizations and companies. Slightly more than 45 million people attended over two seasons. It was based on "the world of tomorrow", with an opening slogan of "Dawn of a New Day". The 1,202-acre (486 ha) fairground consisted of seven color-coded zones, as well as two standalone focal exhibits. The fairground had about 375 buildings.
Plans for the 1939 World's Fair were first announced in September 1935, and the New York World's Fair Corporation (WFC) began constructing the fairground in June 1936. The fair opened on April 30, 1939, coinciding with the 150th anniversary of the first inauguration of George Washington. When World War II began four months into the 1939 World's Fair, many exhibits were affected, and some exhibits were forced to close after the first season. The fair attracted over 45 million visitors and ultimately recouped only 32% of its original cost. After the fair ended on October 27, 1940, most pavilions were demolished or removed, though some buildings were relocated or retained for the 1964 New York World's Fair on the same site.
The fair hosted many activities and cultural events. Participating governments, businesses, and organizations were celebrated on specific theme days. Musical performances took place in conjunction with the fair, and sculptures and artworks were displayed throughout the fairground and within pavilions. The fairground also displayed consumer products, including electronic devices, and there were dozens of restaurants and concession stands. The exposition spurred increased spending in New York City and indirectly influenced Queens's further development. Artifacts from the fair still exist, and the event has also been dramatized in media.