Expo 67 featured pavilions from 72 nations including Israel, as part of celebrating Canada’s centennial. With the permission of the Israeli government, its Pavilion showcased one of the Dead Sea Scrolls discovered in Judean desert caves. These scrolls rarely left the country, but bringing one to Montreal helped promote the connection of the land to the Jewish people, contrary to the claims of Israel's neighbours. After the Six Day War in June, the pavilion became extremely popular—doubling its expected attendance to 5.5 million before the fair closed on Oct. 29, 1967. —David Matlow
