Expo 86 commemorated Vancouver's centennial.

The last world's fair in North America, it is often credited with showing that world expositions can still be viable projects in North America following the financial and other woes of the 1982 World's Fair in Knoxville and the 1984 Louisiana World Exposition in New Orleans.

It was the first time the United States, China, and the Soviet Union exhibited together in North America. It also featured the next-to-last appearance at a world's fair of the Soviet Union and Czechoslovakia.

Canada's pavilion was located in what is now Canada Place, a major Vancouver landmark, on the other side of downtown Vancouver.

Originally planned as "Transpo '86," with a transportation theme, it was changed to "Expo '86" and communication added to the theme, "World in Motion - World in Touch."

You can listen to a discussion of Expo '86's legacy on Episode 6 of the World's Fair Podcast.