Canadian National Exhibition

“Let’s go to the Ex.” This chant resonates to young and old Ontarians who are peppered with advertisement every summer. These sentiments can be traced back to the first Canadian National Exhibition in 1879 - the original name being the “Toronto Industrial Exhibition.”

The final two decades of the 19th century would bring such a plethora of technological and industrial innovation all across the Western World. It was the age of such heroic innovators as Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla, with powerful industrial tycoons like Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller coming to the spotlight. Where better to showcase new ideas, inventions and innovation than in the exciting and entertaining confines of an exhibition.

Although perhaps overshadowed by two particular world World’s Fair that took place in Paris (1889) and Chicago (1893), the Canadian Industrial Exhibition highlighted many “firsts” to the Canadian public as well as the world. Canadian audiences were delighted to see the first form of electric railway transportation introduced at the Exhibition in 1883. Five years later, Thomas Edison himself would showcase his phonograph in 1888. Notably in 1890, The Exhibition would reveal the wireless telephone to the crowds of eager Torontonians.

Throughout the 20th century, save for a short hiatus during World War II, The Canadian National Exhibition (or CNE, as it's commonly known as today) would attract families from all over the province to come indulge in a pleasant and vivacious day full of summer attractions and activities. For new Canadians arriving from all across the world, the CNE symbolizes an introduction to the joyous embrace of multiculturalism, seen through the glutinous twists to many international delicacies.

If you’re in the city this summer, don’t miss the CNE, for it comes but once a year.