World's Columbian Exposition Facts for Kids

The World's Columbian Exposition was a huge world's fair held in Chicago in 1893. It was also known as The Chicago World's Fair. The fair celebrated 400 years since Christopher Columbus arrived in the Americas in 1492.

Chicago was chosen to host the fair, beating out other big cities like New York City, Washington, D.C., and St. Louis. This event was very important for society and culture at the time.

What Was the World's Columbian Exposition?
- Why Was the Fair Held?
Who Was There?
Amazing Inventions and New Ideas
- The "White City" and Electricity
Impact of the Fair
Images for kids
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What Was the World's Columbian Exposition?

The World's Columbian Exposition was a massive international exhibition. It showed off new inventions, art, and cultures from around the world. It covered over 600 acres in Jackson Park and the Midway Plaisance. The fair had many large, beautiful buildings, often called the "White City" because they were painted white.

Why Was the Fair Held?

The main reason for the fair was to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's journey to the New World. It was a way for the United States to show its progress and achievements to the rest of the world.

Who Was There?

Many famous people visited or participated in the fair.

Inventors: People like Thomas Edison, Milton S. Hershey, and Nikola Tesla showed off their new ideas. George Ferris introduced his amazing Ferris wheel.
Leaders and Artists: U.S. President Grover Cleveland attended. Famous writer Mark Twain and showman Buffalo Bill were also there. Native American leader Sitting Bull and musician Scott Joplin were present too.
Fair Organizers: Chicago Mayor Carter Harrison, Sr. and architect Daniel Burnham played big roles in making the fair happen.

Amazing Inventions and New Ideas

The fair was a place where many modern items and inventions were first shown to the public.

The Ferris Wheel: This giant wheel was a major attraction. It was built by George Ferris and gave visitors amazing views of the fair.
New Foods: Popular foods like Quaker Oats and Hershey's chocolate were introduced.
Commemorative Coins: The United States Mint released its first special commemorative coins at the fair.
New Technologies: Nikola Tesla demonstrated his alternating current (AC) electricity system. This was a big step for how homes and cities would be powered in the future.

The "White City" and Electricity

The fairgrounds were designed to be very grand and impressive. The buildings were mostly neoclassical in style and painted white, giving the area the nickname "White City." This was a big contrast to the busy, often dirty, cities of the time.

Electricity played a huge part in the fair's magic. Thousands of incandescent lights lit up the buildings at night, making the fair glow. This was one of the first times people saw such a large-scale use of electric lighting. It showed everyone the power and beauty of electricity.

Impact of the Fair

The World's Columbian Exposition had a lasting impact on American culture and design.

City Planning: The fair's beautiful layout influenced how cities were planned in the future.
Art and Architecture: It showcased new styles of architecture and art, inspiring many artists and builders.
New Products: Many products that are still around today were first introduced or gained popularity at the fair.
Cultural Exchange: People from all over the world came together, sharing their cultures and ideas.

The fair was a huge success, attracting millions of visitors. It showed the world Chicago's strength and America's growing power and innovation.

Images for kids

Advertisement for the Exposition, showing Christopher Columbus
Final vote in the United States House of Representatives on where to hold the 1893 World's Fair
View of the exposition at Jackson Park from above
Inside an exhibit hall
Stereoscopic image of the Great Krupp Building
The Great Wharf, Moving Sidewalk
Non-white cultures were mostly on the Midway, not in the main park.
The "Great White City"
Painting of the Agricultural Building
Golden Arch at Louis Sullivan's Transportation Building
Ticket for Chicago Day
Electricity lit up buildings and fountains, and powered spotlights.
Westinghouses' presentation explaining Tesla's AC induction motors
Bird's Eye View, 1893
Souvenir Map, 1893
Woman's Building Lemaire poster
Mammoth and Giant Octopus, on display
Electric kitchen
The original Ferris Wheel
Idaho Building
John Bull train on display
White City
Pinta, Santa María, and Niña replicas from Spain.
The Viking, a copy of the Gokstad ship.
The White City on fire after the fair.
The Administration Building and Grand Court during a special event.
The Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building.
Horticultural Building, with Illinois Building behind it.
A view towards the Peristyle from Machinery Hall.
Midway Plaisance
The World's Columbian exposition, Chicago, 1893 (14593740420).jpg

Frederick MacMonnies' Columbian Fountain.
"Canal of Venice" during the fair.