OPENING DAY Archives - Chicago's 1893 Worlds Fair

Opening Day, addendum: Fate of the Key
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Opening Day, addendum: Fate of the Key

OPENING DAY

Opening Day, addendum: Fate of the Key

Fate of the Key This addendum concludes our series “Opening Day of the World’s Fair,” which explores the events of May 1, 1893, at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The full series can be found here. “Electric Button” stereoscope card photograph. [Image (colorized) from the New York Public Library Digital Archive.] An advertisement for Kirk’s American Family Soap, showing Director-General Davis, the Duke of Veragua, and President Grover Cleveland (and possibly the arm of Mayor Harrison?) [...]

By Scott|2018-05-04T16:28:41-05:00May 5th, 2018|Categories: OPENING DAY|Tags: Electricity Building, golden key, Grover Cleveland, May 1|0 Comments

Opening Day, Part 13: The Greatest Crowd
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Opening Day, Part 13: The Greatest Crowd

OPENING DAY

Opening Day, Part 13: The Greatest Crowd

The Greatest Crowd This is Part 13 of our series “Opening Day of the World’s Fair,” which explores the events of May 1, 1893, at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The full series can be found here. They saw a beautiful sight When the Opening Day ceremonies were over, visitors had time to look around the fairgrounds. They saw a beautiful sight: a forest of great buildings decorated with flags, banners, and streamers in artistic designs and harmony [...]

By Scott|2024-02-07T08:33:02-06:00May 4th, 2018|Categories: OPENING DAY|Tags: Administration Building, Columbian Guard, gondolas, Grand Basin, hospital, illumination, Intramural Railway, Jane Addams, Machinery Hall, May 1, Peristyle, Statue of the Republic, U.S. Government Building|0 Comments

Opening Day, Part 12: Tour of the Fairgrounds
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Opening Day, Part 12: Tour of the Fairgrounds

OPENING DAY

Opening Day, Part 12: Tour of the Fairgrounds

Tour of the Fairgrounds This is Part 12 of our series “Opening Day of the World’s Fair,” which explores the events of May 1, 1893, at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The full series can be found here. After the “Banquet of Nations” luncheon, President Cleveland and his entourage embarked on a whirlwind tour of the Columbian Exposition grounds and buildings. They departed from the north entrance of the Administration Building where carriages were waiting. “President Cleveland [...]

Opening Day, Part 11: The Banquet of Nations
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Opening Day, Part 11: The Banquet of Nations

OPENING DAY

Opening Day, Part 11: The Banquet of Nations

The Banquet of Nations This is Part 11 of our series “Opening Day of the World’s Fair,” which explores the events of May 1, 1893, at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The full series can be found here. Pushing the button that launched the great transformation scene to open the 1893 World’s Fair was not the end of the duties of the President of the United States on May 1. Escorted to the café Hardly had the Opening [...]

By Scott|2019-08-17T12:11:22-05:00May 2nd, 2018|Categories: OPENING DAY|Tags: Administration Building, Bertha Palmer, Buffalo Bill, Chief No Neck, Duke of Veragua, George R. Davis, Grover Cleveland, Harlow Higinbotham, John Burke, May 1, Thomas W. Palmer|1 Comment

Opening Day, Part 10: The Great Transformation Scene
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Opening Day, Part 10: The Great Transformation Scene

OPENING DAY

Opening Day, Part 10: The Great Transformation Scene

The Great Transformation Scene This is Part 10 of our series “Opening Day of the World’s Fair,” which explores the events of May 1, 1893, at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The full series can be found here. As the last words fell from his lips at the conclusion of his short address, President Grover Cleveland placed his finger on the telegraph key. With his hand touching the electric switchboard, a chrysalis transformation scene was about to begin [...]

By Scott|2022-10-10T08:59:18-05:00May 1st, 2018|Categories: OPENING DAY|Tags: “America”, “Hallelujah Chorus”, Administration Building, Agricultural Building, Allis engine, American flag, Andrew Johnson, Casino, Court of Honor, Duke of Veragua, Exposition Orchestra, Francis Millet, gondolas, Grand Basin, Grover Cleveland, Krupp Gun, Machinery Hall, MacMonnies Fountain, Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building, May 1, Music Hall, Peristyle, Statue of the Republic|1 Comment

Opening Day, Part 9: President Grover Cleveland’s Address
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Opening Day, Part 9: President Grover Cleveland’s Address

OPENING DAY

Opening Day, Part 9: President Grover Cleveland’s Address

President Grover Cleveland's Address This is Part 9 of our series “Opening Day of the World’s Fair,” which explores the events of May 1, 1893, at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The full series can be found here. Scarcely had Director-General George R. Davis finished his address, when President Cleveland slowly arose from his seat. He swept his eyes first over the occupants of the platform and then over one of the greatest audiences that ever a man [...]

By Scott|2018-04-29T08:49:56-05:00April 30th, 2018|Categories: OPENING DAY|Tags: George R. Davis, Grover Cleveland, May 1|1 Comment

Opening Day, Part 8: The Address by Director-General Davis
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Opening Day, Part 8: The Address by Director-General Davis

OPENING DAY

Opening Day, Part 8: The Address by Director-General Davis

The Address by Director-General Davis This is Part 8 of our series “Opening Day of the World’s Fair,” which explores the events of May 1, 1893, at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The full series can be found here. The dignitaries on the platform for the Opening Ceremonies. [Image from the Ryerson and Burnham Archives.] As conductor Thomas laid down his ebony baton following the performance the "Rienzi" overture by the Exposition Orchestra, Director-General George R. Davis [...]

By Scott|2018-04-29T07:11:07-05:00April 29th, 2018|Categories: OPENING DAY|Tags: Administration Building, Bertha Palmer, George R. Davis, Grover Cleveland, Harlow Higinbotham, May 1, Thomas W. Palmer|0 Comments

Opening Day, Part 7: Wagner’s “Rienzi” Overture
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Opening Day, Part 7: Wagner’s “Rienzi” Overture

AUDIO, OPENING DAY

Opening Day, Part 7: Wagner’s “Rienzi” Overture

Wagner’s “Rienzi” Overture This is Part 7 of our series “Opening Day of the World’s Fair,” which explores the events of May 1, 1893, at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The full series can be found here. "In Front of the Administration Building" from the Chicago Herald, May 1, 1893. Few among the quarter of a million spectators gathered around the east side of the Administration Building could hear anything coming from the grandstand, or even [...]

By Scott|2022-03-05T10:17:30-06:00April 28th, 2018|Categories: AUDIO, OPENING DAY|Tags: Adolph Leisegang, Exposition Orchestra, Theodore Thomas|0 Comments

Opening Day, Part 6: Reading of “The Prophecy”
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Opening Day, Part 6: Reading of “The Prophecy”

OPENING DAY

Opening Day, Part 6: Reading of “The Prophecy”

Reading of “The Prophecy” This is Part 6 of our series “Opening Day of the World’s Fair,” which explores the events of May 1, 1893, at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The full series can be found here. At the conclusion of Reverend Milburn’s invocation, General-Director George R. Davis again commanded the attention of the crowd and announced the third number on the program. "I introduce to you Miss Jessie Couthoui, who will read the poem." With faultless [...]

By Scott|2018-04-25T20:23:28-05:00April 27th, 2018|Categories: OPENING DAY|Tags: Christopher Columbus, Columbian Ode, George R. Davis, Harriet Monroe, Jessie Couthoui, The Prophecy, Thomas Edison, William A. Croffut|1 Comment

Opening Day, Part 5: Invocation by the Blind Chaplain
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Opening Day, Part 5: Invocation by the Blind Chaplain

OPENING DAY

Opening Day, Part 5: Invocation by the Blind Chaplain

Invocation by the Blind Chaplain This is Part 5 of our series “Opening Day of the World’s Fair,” which explores the events of May 1, 1893, at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The full series can be found here. At the conclusion of the performance of the “Columbian March” by the Exposition Orchestra, Director-General George R. Davis approached the front of the platform. He lifted his hand and commanded silence from the vast audience, to which there was [...]

By Scott|2018-04-26T06:09:32-05:00April 26th, 2018|Categories: OPENING DAY|Tags: Duke of Veragua, George R. Davis, May 1, William H. Milburn|0 Comments