On This Day: the First Worldcon

Not for the first time, we are indebted to the Hugo-winning Encyclopedia of Science Fiction for pointing out – via its excellent On This Day function – that the first Worldcon began seventy-six years ago today in New York City.

This major event began in 1939 and (following an early hiatus caused by war, from 1942 to 1945) continues to be held annually, most frequently in the USA, where it has attracted as many as 8000 attending.

Worldcon is now, of course, a major date in the SF calendar – a chance to catch up with old friends, make new ones, stay in the bar way too late and spend an extraordinary amount of money in the dealers’ room.

And why not?