While it may feel like a new problem, fake news has been with us for a long time. Perhaps no day brings more “alternative facts” than does April Fool’s Day. Long before Russian troll farms, the New York press was at it, attempting to undermine the upcoming World’s Columbian Exposition that was set to open in Chicago on May 1, 1893.

The January 11, 1892, issue of World’s Columbian Exposition Illustrated aimed to set the record straight in their column “WORLD’S FAIR QUESTIONS: ALL QUESTIONS APPERTAINING TO THE FAIR ANSWERED UNDER THIS HEADING.” In response to a query from “W. A. L., Nova Scotia, N.B.” the Chicago-based paper replied:

“The Fair is not postponed until ’94. That was a false report circulated by a New York paper.”

We can only hope that our Canadian friend W.A.L. made it to Chicago on time for the great World’s Fair of 1893!

The Canada Building at the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago.