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110 years and counting for Boeing

A look back at previous milestone celebrations

July 14, 2026 in History

Color collage of early Boeing products and people 75th Anniversary poster. All photos courtesy of the Boeing Archives.

On July 15, 2026, Boeing celebrates 110 years of a remarkable journey to becoming the leading aerospace company in the world. To commemorate this moment, Boeing looks back to former landmark anniversaries, honoring the many achievements and employees who have shaped the company into what it is today.

Silver Anniversary (25 years) – 1941

Former company president, Phil G. Johnson, greeted employees in the July 1941 edition of the Boeing News for the 25th anniversary: 

“As one who has seen the growth of the company from its small beginnings to the industry that it is today, and as one who has been privileged to work during much of that time with the men and women who have made Boeing what it is, I congratulate you all on the occasion of our arrival at this quarter-century milestone.” 

The entire July edition of the Boeing News was dedicated to this first major milestone, which was also covered in the Seattle Times and other news outlets. 

 

Black and white paragraph from the Boeing News Hired out of the University of Washington along with Claire Egtvedt in 1917, P.G. Johnson would go on to serve the Boeing Company until his death in 1944.

Golden Anniversary (50 years) - 1966

Twenty-five years later, Boeing celebrated their 50th anniversary with a series of watercolors that were commissioned to highlight Boeing products from 1917 until 1959. This milestone would also be celebrated with an anniversary pin, a display at the Development Center, an executive banquet at the Olympic Hotel in Seattle, and an open house at a newly repainted Plant I.

Color photo of 1960s exhibit display Part of the display at the 9-101 Development Center, 1966.
Black and white photo of 50th anniversary sign Employees prepare for the 50th anniversary banquet at the Olympic Hotel.
Black and white photo of employees unloading in front of hotel Employees prepare for the 50th anniversary banquet at the Olympic Hotel, 1966.
Color photo of people in front of Red Barn Freshly repainted Plant I, 50th anniversary, 1966. Plant I closed in 1970 but the iconic "Red Barn" is preserved at the Museum of Flight in Seattle.
Color photo of a group standing in front of red barn holding a sign CEO Bill Allen and others stand in front of Plant I, 1966.

75 Years - 1991

“Making History Everyday” was the theme for the 75th. A series of commemorative posters, film, and other ephemera were created, along with a traveling exhibition that traveled to various Boeing locations across the country showcasing the company’s milestones. 

Color collage of Boeing products and people 75th Anniversary poster.
Color collage of Boeing products and people 75th Anniversary poster.
Color collage of Boeing products and people 75th Anniversary poster.

100 years - 2016

The centennial — “100 Years of Innovation” — featured a massive three-day celebration at the Museum of Flight, which included flights of historic aircraft, a Boeing exhibit and intricate displays. 

Color image of display on side of 747 Display projected on the side of a 747.
Color photo of people at the New York Stock Exchange Boeing employees representing generations of those who have worked at the company rang the bell at the New York Stock Exchange that morning.
color photo of crowd in stands Attended by nearly 100,000 people, the centennial celebration was the culmination of a century of excellence rooted in the pioneering spirit of the Boeing Company.

Today, the company celebrates 110 years. While not a silver, golden or centennial, it’s still a milestone moment. Each decade of Boeing represents a decade of continuous innovation, lessons learned and new beginnings. And as Boeing continues to grow as a company, employees continue to celebrate all those “who have made Boeing what it is”. 

By Anna Italiano and Madisen Wilde