A controversial approach

In 1895, Atlanta put its best foot forward for all to see with the Cotton States and International Exposition. It was a coming out party of sorts for Atlanta and designed to show the world that Atlanta had moved past its pre-civil war mentality and had taken its rightful place as the leader of the “New South.”

The Exposition, which was held on the location that would become Piedmont Park, was widely promoted and attracted over 800,000 people to Atlanta, which, surprisingly, was not considered a success by the exposition’s organizers and backers. None the less, a good time was, apparently, had by all who attended.

One of the Exposition’s most memorable events occurred on opening day when, speaking before a largely white crowd, African American educator Booker T. Washington gave a speech that thrust him into the national spotlight and eventually would become the subject of this week’s Stories of Atlanta.