Since 1967, the Wachovia Spectrum has opened its doors to thousands of events. From NHL to NBA championships with the Flyers and 76ers, to Dorothy Hamill's first appearance with the Ice Capades and Elvis Presley’s last live performance, the building has hosted just about everything.

Construction of the arena occurred at a rapid pace so that the city’s first National Hockey League franchise, the Philadelphia Flyers, could compete in the 1967-68 NHL season. Eleven months later, the Spectrum opened house for its first event ever, the Quaker City Jazz Festival. The two-day concert appeared from September 30 to October 1, 1967.

“This building was just an idea 16 months ago”, said Ed Snider at the time. “We got it done in record time.”

First night patrons fought huge traffic tie-ups going into the parking lots, delaying the jazz festival by fifty-five minutes.

The last of six main acts, which included Ramsey Lewis, Hugh Masakela and comedian Flip Wilson, did not finish until 3 a.m. The second performance drew a full house of 17,500 fans. It was the largest indoor audience in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania history. A 12-day run of Holiday on Ice followed. Boxing was the first sporting event at the young building, featuring a Joe Frazier vs. Tony Doyle card, on Tuesday, October 17, 1967.

The next morning, the official dedication of the Spectrum took place under a canopy by the main entrance. The 76ers played their first game at the Spectrum that night, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers, 103-87.

The Flyers debuted in their new home on Thursday, October 19, 1967 with a 1-0 triumph over Pittsburgh.

Great Memories at the Spectrum...

First Concert (Quaker City Jazz Festival) September 30, 1967 First Family Show (Holiday on Ice) October 3-15, 1967 First Sport Event (Boxing/Joe Frazier v. Tony Doyle) Oct. 17, 1967 First 76ers game October 18, 1967 First Flyers game October 19, 1967 20th Annual NBA All-Star Game January 20, 1970 Kate Smith first sings before a Flyers game October 11, 1973 Flyers win first Stanley Cup May 19, 1974 Olga Korbut appears w/ Russian Gym Team November 10, 1974 Flyers vs. Soviet Red Army January 11, 1976 29th Annual NHL All-Star Game January 20, 1976 26th Annual NBA All-Star Game February 3, 1976 Luciano Pavarotti April 5, 1976 First Flyers Wives Fight For Lives Carnival February 1, 1977 Elvis Presley’s last Spectrum appearance May 28, 1977 Bruce Springsteen’s eight sold-out shows 1981 1981 NCAA Final Four- Indiana v. North Carolina March 30, 1981 Bobby Clarke Night November 15, 1984 Julius Erving Night April 17, 1987 Flyers v. Edmonton Oilers-Game 6-Stanley Cup Finals May 28, 1987 Frank Sinatra/Liza Minelli/Sammy Davis Jr September 27, 1988 The Philadelphia Wings win their      first National Lacrosse League Championship April 7, 1989 Billy Joel’s six-night engagement January 1990 Wilt Chamberlain Night March 18, 1990 Luther Vandross three sold-out shows October 1991 43rd Annual NHL All-Star Game January 18, 1992 1992 NCAA East Regionals-Duke vs. Kentucky March 28, 1992 Grateful Dead’s 50th Spectrum concert October 7, 1992 Billy Joel’s six-night engagement Sept.-Oct., 1993 The Philadelphia Wings win their fourth NLL Championship April 8, 1995 Mike Tyson vs. Buster Mathis Jr December 16, 1995 76ers final Spectrum home game April 19, 1996 Flyers final Spectrum home game (playoffs) May 12, 1996 Phantoms win the Calder Cup June 10, 1998

source: Philadelphiaflyers.com