In 1893, 27 million patrons flocked to the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago's Jackson Park. The exposition -also called the Chicago World's Fair- celebrated the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the new world as well as the economic and industrial achievements of the nation. For six months crowds steadily flourished at the fair. On October 9th, 716, 881 persons attended the fair, setting a new record for attendance at an outdoor event.