May 1 Archives - Chicago's 1893 Worlds Fair

The First Ticket Sold at the World’s Fair?
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The First Ticket Sold at the World’s Fair?

REPRINTS

The First Ticket Sold at the World’s Fair?

The following story about Opening Day of the Columbian Exposition on May 1, 1893, comes from “Sketches and Anecdotes of the Fair” in the June 1893 issue of Current Literature [public domain]. A contrasting story published in the Chicago Daily Tribune reported that the first person on the fairgrounds on Opening Day was a man from Oskaloosa, Iowa. Whether or not the story below is true … it should be. Probably the most humorous incident of the opening day [...]

By Scott|2022-01-22T12:48:38-06:00May 10th, 2018|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: Christopher Columbus, May 1, tickets|0 Comments

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 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