World's Columbian Exposition

The World's Columbian Exposition (also known as the Chicago World's Fair) was a World Fair held in Chicago, Illinois, in 1893 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus' arrival in the New World. It was estimated that over 27 million visitors attended the fair during its six-month run. The fair aimed to showcase the United States as a world power and let the world know of its progressive ideals. A variety of displays, exhibitions, competitions and other activities took place to demonstrate the power of industrialization and technology. The fairgrounds covered over 600 acres and featured over 200 buildings, with some of the most significant including the Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building, the Agricultural Building and Machinery Hall, the Electricity Building, and Horticultural Building. The World's Columbian Exposition also featured world-renowned attractions such as the first Ferris wheel and the Street in Cairo exhibit.