In the fall of 1965 then U.S. Secretary of State Dean Rusk, sent a letter to 114 nations from around the world formally inviting them to participate in HemisFair 1968. On the left is a list of the thirty-three nations which exhibited at the fair.
Click on any nation on the left to read about their pavilion.
“The Secretary of State presents his compliments to Their Excellencies and Messieurs the Chiefs of Mission and, in accordance with the Proclamation signed by the President of the United States of America on November 11,1965, has the honor to extend an invitation on behalf of the President, to participate in HemisFair 1968, an international exposition to be held in San Antonio, Texas from April 6 to October 6, 1968” (El Abrazo, Jan 1966)
The HemisFair bill approved by the U.S. Congress on October 22, 1965 (Public Law No. 89-284) authorized and requested the President to issue a Proclamation calling upon the several States of the Union and foreign countries to take part in HemisFair 1968. Below is a copy of the proclamation signed by U.S. President Lyndon Johnson on November 11, 1965.
President Johnson’s Proclamation
With the exception of the U.S. and Texas pavilions all national pavilions were located in the western end of the fair grounds in an area called “Las Plazas Del Mundo“. Along with all the new structures housing foreign pavilions, many of the 19th century homes and commercial buildings were remodeled and served as restaurants, pavilions, and shops during the fair.
434 S Alamo St, San Antonio, TX 78205