April 10, 2025

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” marks its 100 anniversary today as a cornerstone of classic American literature. Initially a commercial disappointment—selling fewer than 25,000 copies during his lifetime—it gained traction during World War II through military distribution. Since then, it has sold over 30 million copies worldwide and remains a staple in high school curricula.

Set in 1922 Long Island and New York City, the novel explores the illusion of the American dream through Jay Gatsby’s doomed pursuit of wealth and love. Inspired by Fitzgerald’s youthful romance with socialite Ginevera King and his time on Long Island’s North Shore during the Jazz Age, its themes of aspiration, class divides, and moral decay remain relevant to readers today. Now in the public domain, it has inspired at least four feature films, several TV episodes, an opera, two musicals, and more.

Centennial celebrations include a Broadway toast, a Library of Congress reading, and the Empire State Building being illuminated in green — a nod to Gatsby’s iconic symbol of hope.

One hundred years ago, F. Scott Fitzgerald enchanted readers with a tale of love, lust, wealth and woe. As The Great Gatsby celebrates its centennial, the Empire State Building will light up green in honor of the green light that Jay Gatsby famously watches over the water. 

On April 11, Broadway stars will flip the ceremonial switch to light the Empire State Building in green, so keep an eye out for the glowing light in the sky, just like Jay Gatsby would have. This celebration is part of many more Gatsby-themed events across NYC this month that celebrate Fitzgerald's landmark novel published on April 10, 1925.

Book Cover