On this day in 1893

1893 - The World's Columbian Exposition, a World's Fair to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus, opened in Chicago, United States.

Famous firsts at the fair

Aunt Jemima pancake mix
Cracker Jack
Cream of Wheat
Quaker Oats
Congress of Mathematicians, precursor to International Congress of Mathematicians
Elongated coins
The Frontier thesis was first promulgated by Frederick Jackson Turner.
Ferris Wheel
Juicy Fruit gum
Shredded Wheat
The hamburger was introduced to the United States (others say it was invented at the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis).
The United States produced its first commemorative stamp set.
The United States Postal Service produced its first picture postcards.
The first exotic dancer Little Egypt.
United States Mint offered its first commemorative coins: a quarter, half dollar, and dollar.
The term "midway" came into common use to define an area where park rides, entertainment and fast food booths are concentrated at parks and fairs, after the area of that type located on Chicago's Midway Plaisance at the World Columbian Exposition.

There is some debate surrounding the origin of Chicago's nickname, the "windy city". Some argue it was Charles Anderson Dana of the New York Sun who coined the term in regard to the hype of the city's promoters during the considerations as to where the Exposition would be held. Other evidence, however, suggests that this term was used as early as 1881 in relation to either Chicago's "windbag" politicians or to its weather.