Chicago, IL

Early History –
    Aided by local Indians, the first Europeans to get to the Chicago area were the Canadian Explorer Louis Jolliet, and French-born Jesuit Jacques Marquette in 1673.  Over 100 years later, the first permanent settlement was established at the mouth of the Chicago River into Lake Michigan in order to set up a trading post.  The settlement was established by Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, an African-American from Santo Domingo.  The settlement was named Chicago after the Illinois Indians name for the land, “Chicaugou,” which meant powerful, strong or great.  Because of the strategic placement of the settlement, it was later converted to a military base, and was known as Fort Dearborn.  The Fort was a key position during the War of 1812 for the United States and Great Britain.  
    Chicago hosted the 1860 Republican National Convention, which saw the nomination of Illinois’ own Abraham Lincoln nominated for the Presidency of the United States.  After the American Civil War, Chicago’s population and economy grew at a tremendous pace.  In 1871, a fire, later known as the Great Chicago Fire, destroyed most of the cities central area.  The fire lasted more than 2 days, killing 250, leaving 100,000 homeless, and destroying an estimated $200 million in property.  After the fire, the city rebuilt in glorious fashion, and hosted the 1893 World Columbian Exposition which celebrated Columbus’ discovery of the New World 400 years prior.  In 1909, the city was given an urban plan, the first for any city.  Today, many of the plans that were begun in the early 20th century are still visible today.  Chicago has become one of the most culturally diverse cities in the United States, and continues to grow in population and economy.  

Local Attractions –
    One of the most dominant features on the downtown Chicago landscape is that of the Sears Tower.  Standing an impressive 1450 feet in the air, the Sears Towers 110 stories make it the third tallest building in the World.  Construction of the Tower took 2 ½ years, and until 1996, was the tallest building in the World.  The Sears tower still holds the World Record for the highest occupied floor at 1,431 feet.  In one of the top floors of the Tower, visitors can walk around on the observation deck viewing the downtown area from over 1000 feet in the air.
    Founded in 1930, the Shedd Aquarium is home to some of the most exotic ocean life species in the World.  The two most well-known exhibits in the Aquarium are the Oceanarium and the Caribbean reef.  The Oceanarium consists of a tank that holds 3 million gallons of water and gives an overview of life in the Pacific Ocean including Beluga whales, sea otters, seals and dolphins.  The Caribbean reef exhibit consists of a 90,000 gallon glass tank that visitors can walk around that features over 70 species of animals, including sharks and stingrays.  Every day, divers enter the tank to feed the fish and inform visitors about the animals within the tank.  
    Upon the completion of construction in 1925, Chicago’s Union Station was built to make an architectural impact on the city much like that of New York’s Grand Central Station.  The “Great Hall” on the buildings west side features a 112ft tall vaulted skylight ceiling, marble floors and walls complete with Corinthian columns.  During the stations peak usage in the 1940’s 100,000 passengers passed through the station each day.  The station is currently outfitted to handle 400,000 passengers a day.  In 2002, Union Station was designated a Chicago Landmark.
    The Museum of Science and Industry officially opened its doors in 1933 and quickly became one of the highlights of any trip to Chicago.  With over 800 exhibits, the Museum attracts nearly 2 million visitors every year.  Within the walls of the museum, visitors can look at a WWII German U-505 submarine and a British Spitfire, a 1914 Ford Model T, and an Apollo 8 Command Module.  A large section of the Museum also displays the various parts of the human body, including a 20ft tall walk-through model of the human heart.  

Sports –
    The city of Chicago has several professional sports teams that call the city home, including:  the Chicago Bears (NFL), the Chicago Bulls (NBA), the Chicago Cubs (MLB), the Chicago White Sox (MLB), the Chicago Fire (MLS) and the Chicago Blackhawks (NHL).  Many of these teams have won their leagues respective championships.  In 1985 the Bears won Super Bowl XX.  The Michael Jordan led Bulls won NBA Championships in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, and 1998.  The Cubs won World Championships in 1907 and 1908, with the White Sox winning World Championships in 1906 and 1917.  The Fire won the MLS Cup in 1998, and the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup in 1934, 1938 and 1961.  
    Chicago is also the home of DePaul University, and their Blue Demons sports teams.  Both the Men’s and Women’s basketball teams at DePaul compete each year for the Conference USA championship, and the Women’s team has begun to be a regular figure in the Top 25.  Northern Illinois University also calls Chicago home.  The NIU Huskies football program has recently rose to mid-major dominance, and in 2004 were successful enough to earn a Bowl Bid.  

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