On December 16th, 1907, sixteen American warships, painted white to denote peace, set sail for a round the world cruise. Later known as The Great White Fleet, the American warships landed at Port Jackson on the 20th of August, 1908. The fleet were given a great welcome with celebrations hosted throughout the city lasting for the week. On the 26th of August some 8030 children attended the Sydney Cricket Ground set for an afternoon of entertainment for the visiting fleet. The following day the fleet travelled to Melbourne.
Caption reads: ' VISIT OF AMERICAN FLEET TO SYDNEY./PUBLIC SCHOOLS' DISPLAY- SYDNEY CRICKET GROUND, 26TH AUGUST, 1908./HON. J.A. HOGUE, M.L.A., MINISTER OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION./P.BOARD, UNDER SECRETARY/J.H. STRONG, HON. SECRETARY.'