Cotton States and International Exposition

1895 Atlanta, Georgia
An illustration of the event
Overview
BIE-class	Unrecognized exposition
Name	Cotton States and International Exposition
Area	11.5 acres (4.7 ha)
Visitors	800 000
Participant(s)
Countries	13
Location
Country	United States
City	Atlanta, Georgia
Venue	Piedmont Park (now)
Coordinates	33°47′05″N 84°22′30″W / 33.7848009°N 84.3751073°W / 33.7848009; -84.3751073
Timeline
Opening	September 18, 1895
Closure	December 31, 1895
Specialized expositions

The Cotton States and International Exposition was a world's fair held in Atlanta, Georgia, United States in 1895.^[1] The exposition was designed "to foster trade between southern states and South American nations as well as to show the products and facilities of the region to the rest of the nation and Europe."^[1]

The Cotton States and International Exposition featured exhibits from six states, including various innovations in agriculture and technology, and exhibits about women and African Americans.^[1] President Grover Cleveland presided over the opening of the exposition remotely by flipping an electric switch from his house in Massachusetts on September 18, 1895.^[1]

The event is best remembered for the "Atlanta Compromise" speech given by Booker T. Washington on September 18, promoting racial cooperation.^[1]