Figure 1.--The Colombian Expositiion/Chicago World Fair mark the 400th anniversary of Columbus' discovery of the Ameuicas. Here fair goers line the shore of Lake Michigan waiting for thev arrival of a replica of the Columbus caravels (ships) which sailed from Spain. The Expositiion was not just about history, it was a spectacular look into thev future. Click on the iamge to see the first major disoplay of electrical lighting.

The World's Columbian Exposition is often referred to as the Chicago World's Fair. It was held in Chicago during 1893. It was held to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus' discovery of the Americas. The woke mob is wrong about most of the issues they raise. One topic they are actually correct about is the brutality of Columbus and his son regarding the Amer-Indian people. Of course ther was no discussion of that at the Expositiion. It was a celebration of Columbus and what his voyages led to, at least in North America. There was a good deal of competition as to where the Exposition should be held in America. Other possibilities were New York City, Washington, D.C. and St. Louis, Missouri. This may have been the most important world's fair held in America. It proved to be very influential in architecture and the arts at a time when America was making the transition from an agricultural to a modern industrial nation. It also recognized Chicag's emergence as the 'Big Shoulders -- the rising great American city on the Plains. The Exposition was largely designed by Daniel Burnham and Frederick Law Olmstead. They were presenting in the Exposition and idealized version of what they thought a modern American city should look like. Unnlike Europe, America was bulding new cities from the ground up. It was essentially promoting the Beaux Arts principles of European architecture. I ndustry was anothrr major theme, especially the emphasis on electricity. Over 27 million people (a number equal to about half the U.S. population) attended the Exposition during the 6 months the Exposition was open. The World's Columbian Exposition was much larger and grander than any other world's fairs of the era. It was thus show cased America's emergence as a great industrial powerhouse in essentially the same way that the Great Exhibition showcased industrial Britain at the mid-19th century. One source suggests that the Exposition symbolized the idea of American Exceptionalism. The 20th century would show case American exceptiionalism. The artistic and archetectural exhibitions if anything showcased connections with Europe. The Exposition was also the beginning of the American postcard industry.

Created: 11:31 AM 8/21/2024
Last updated: 11:31 AM 8/21/2024