The sun had just begun to rise over the city of Paris, casting a golden glow over the rooftops and the streets below. As the first light of day illuminated the city, crowds of people began to gather at the gates of the World's Fair, eager to witness the grand opening of one of the greatest spectacles of the modern age.
The air was filled with the sound of excited chatter and laughter as people jostled for position, craning their necks to catch a glimpse of the grand entrance. And there it was, the centerpiece of the fair - the Eiffel Tower - rising high into the sky, its intricate iron lattice shining in the early morning sun.
The President of France, Marie François Sadi Carnot, stood at the head of the crowd, waiting for the moment to begin the ceremony. He was flanked by his cabinet members, foreign dignitaries, and other important guests. As the clock struck 9 am, a hush fell over the crowd, and the president stepped forward to deliver his speech.
