Opening of the First World Exhibition in London, 1851

George Cruikshank (1792–1878), Opening of the Great Industrial Exhibition of all nations, by her most gracious majesty Queen Victoria and his royal highness Prince Albert, on the 1st of May, Stich, 1851; Bildquelle: Library of Congress (Reproduction Number: LC-USZ62-93899), http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cph.3b40072.

The first world exhibition took place in 1851 in a specially built "Crystal Palace" in London's Hyde Park. This Great Exhibition, which was sponsored mainly by Prince Albert (1819–1861), the husband of Queen Victoria (1819–1901), was a tremendous success, attracting millions of visitors.

George Cruikshank (1792–1878), Opening of the Great Industrial Exhibition of all nations, by her most gracious majesty Queen Victoria and his royal highness Prince Albert, on the 1st of May, engraving, 1851; source: Library of Congress (Reproduction Number: LC-USZ62-93899), http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cph.3b40072.