Patriotic Events: World's Columbian Exposition - Chicago, 1893
The Chicago World’s Fair of 1893, also known as the World’s Columbian Exposition, celebrated the 400th anniversary of Columbus’s arrival in the new world. This 630-acre extravaganza featured 200 new buildings, lagoons, canals, fountains, and pavilions and a world fair on a grander scale than ever before. In many ways it was a celebration of America and what Americans envisioned for their country.
The Court of Honor area was called the White City because many of the buildings featured classical architecture, white stucco, and extensive use of street lights. This White City inspired the reference to “alabaster cities” in the poem and anthem America the Beautiful. Over 27 million people visited the World’s Columbian Exposition (over half the population of the United States) between May 1 and October 30, 1893.