Dedication ceremonies for the fair were held on October 21 , 1892 , but the fairgrounds were not actually opened to the public until May 1 , 1893 . The fair continued until October 30 , 1893 . In addition to recognizing the 400th anniversary of the discovery of the New World by Europeans , the fair also served to show the world that Chicago had risen from the ashes of the Great Chicago Fire , which had destroyed much of the city in 1871
Great Chicago Fire
Great Chicago Fire
World's Columbian Exposition