HISTORY Archives - Page 9 of 11 - Chicago's 1893 Worlds Fair

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

Opening Day, Part 4: Paine’s “Columbian March”
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Opening Day, Part 4: Paine’s “Columbian March”

AUDIO, OPENING DAY

Opening Day, Part 4: Paine’s “Columbian March”

Paine’s “Columbian March” This is Part 4 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 Exposition Orchestra Under the main arch of the Administration Building, and in front of a great sounding board, sat the 150 musicians* of the Exposition Orchestra, under the baton of conductor Theodore Thomas. The grandstand beneath them filled with more [...]

By Scott|2018-05-25T15:59:38-05:00April 25th, 2018|Categories: AUDIO, OPENING DAY|Tags: Administration Building, Columbian March and Hymn, Dedication Day, Exposition Orchestra, John Knowles Paine, John Philip Sousa, May 1, Theodore Thomas, William Tomlins|1 Comment

Opening Day, Part 3: A Sea of Humanity
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Opening Day, Part 3: A Sea of Humanity

OPENING DAY

Opening Day, Part 3: A Sea of Humanity

A Sea of Humanity This is Part 3 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 procession of the President of the United States began its march south on Michigan Avenue, thousands of people in downtown Chicago began forming their own spontaneous parade to the World’s Fair. Everyone on West Madison Street and North [...]

Opening Day, Part 2: Presidential Procession to the Fairgrounds
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Opening Day, Part 2: Presidential Procession to the Fairgrounds

OPENING DAY

Opening Day, Part 2: Presidential Procession to the Fairgrounds

Presidential Procession to the Fairgrounds This is Part 2 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. Finely decorated with flags and bunting The Auditorium Building, where the Duke of Vergua stayed. [Image from the Rijksmueum, Amsterdam.] On the morning of Opening Day of the 1893 World’s Fair, the center of attraction in downtown Chicago [...]

Opening Day, Part 1: Morning on the Fairgrounds
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Opening Day, Part 1: Morning on the Fairgrounds

OPENING DAY

Opening Day, Part 1: Morning on the Fairgrounds

Morning on the Fairgrounds This is Part 1 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 day of days dawned with gray skies. Jupiter Pluvius, giver of rain, held an uplifted threatening fist over Chicago this morning. Throughout the city, bunting hung to celebrate the opening of the World’s Fair sagged, damp and listless. A [...]

By Scott|2018-04-26T06:17:33-05:00April 22nd, 2018|Categories: OPENING DAY|Tags: Administration Building, Court of Honor, Diana, Fifteenth Regiment Infantry, Jackson Park, Lexington Hotel, May 1, Opening Day, Peristyle, Statue of the Republic|0 Comments