Sombrilla Magazine covered the historical impact of HemisFair '68 on San Antonio and UTSA.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in Sombrilla Magazine, Spring 2008.
(May 3, 2019) -- HemisFair, which opened on April 6, 1968, two days after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., drew participants from more than 30 countries and brought in performers such as Louis Armstrong, Bill Cosby, and Pat Boone. The event lost $5.5 million by the time it was over, but the civic leaders who organized the exposition say it forever transformed the city’s worldview—as well as the world’s view of San Antonio.
Today [in 2008], those leaders celebrate the 40th anniversary of HemisFair with nostalgia and pride, looking back on it as the defining event that finally brought San Antonio into the 20th century. Some are also looking forward with hope that today’s civic leaders can revive the stripped-down 96 acres where the fair took place and bring HemisFair Park into the 21st century.
UTSA’s Institute of Texan Cultures, which was created during HemisFair as the Texas State Exhibits Pavilion, opened a retrospective exhibit of the event on April 6, exactly 40 years after the fair’s opening day. The exhibit is titled “HemisFair 1968: San Antonio’s Introduction to the World.”
>> Read the rest of this story and relive other memories from UTSA’s history as we celebrate UTSA’s 50th Anniversary.
Celebrate UTSA’s 50th Anniversary and share social media posts about the 50th using the hashtag #UTSA50.
Connect with UTSA online at Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn.
UTSA Today is produced by University Communications and Marketing, the official news source of The University of Texas at San Antonio. Send your feedback to news@utsa.edu. Keep up-to-date on UTSA news by visiting UTSA Today. Connect with UTSA online at Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram.
Join us on your lunch or 30 minute wellness break and "Lego" of your stress with fun activities like Legos, PlayDoh, coloring pages, puzzles and more!
Mesquite Room (SU 2.01.24,) Student Union, Main CampusMove In To COLFA is strongly recommended for new students in COLFA. It gives you the chance to learn about the Student Success Center, campus resources and meet new friends!
Academic Classroom: Lecture Hall (MH 2.01.10,) McKinney Humanities BldgWe invite you to join us for Birds Up! Downtown, an exciting welcome back event designed to connect students with the different departments at the Downtown Campus. Students will have the opportunity to learn about some of the departments on campus, gain access to different resources, and collect some giveaways!
Bill Miller PlazaCome and celebrate this year's homecoming at the Downtown Campus with food, games, giveaways, music, and more. We look forward to seeing your Roadrunner Spirit!
Bill Miller PlazaThe University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.
To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.
We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.
