Festival of Empire

Festival of Empire was a major imperial exhibition held at London's Crystal Palace from 12 May to 1 October 1911, organized to celebrate the coronation of King George V and to showcase the cultural, industrial, and military accomplishments of the British Empire. It was the largest single event held at the Crystal Palace in London since its opening. The original intention had been that Edward VII would open it in 1910, however, this was postponed after his death shortly before the planned opening day. The Festival contained a display of landscapes and exhibits from the British Empire, mainly the dominion countries, to encourage emigration to those nations; and it contained a large scale pageant dramatising British history. It was described at the time as 'a social gathering of the British family' encouraging the 'firmer welding of those invisible bonds which hold together the greatest empire the world has ever known'. It has since been described as the 'ultimate imperialist propaganda showcase'.