Detroit, MI

History -
    In 1701, a fur trading post known as Fort Pontchartrain du Detroit was established by Frenchman Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, making the city of Detroit, the oldest in the Midwest.  In 1760, the French surrendered the city to the British, and many of the cities inhabitants moved south to St. Louis.  In 1805, Detroit burned, leaving only the stone storehouses standing.  Designed with a classical French layout, the city was rebuilt.  In 1812, the city was surrendered to Indians in the region without a fight, but was reoccupied a year later.  In 1825 the Erie Canal was complete, linking the city to the East coast by sea.  The construction of the Canal caused a boom in the shipbuilding and logging business in Detroit.  
    During the 19th and early 20th centuries, many inventors and engineers in Detroit began to examine very closely what the automotive industry was doing in Europe.  In 1903, Henry Ford founded one of the automobile factories that would revolutionize the automotive industry.  When Ford developed the concept of the assembly line, he was able to manufacture more cars per day, and help establish Detroit as the Motor City.  Today, three giants in the automotive industry, General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler all call Detroit home.  

Local Attractions -
    Built in 1977, the Renaissance Center consists of 4 office towers, and the 73 story Westin Hotel (now the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center).  Built as a symbol for the rebirth of Detroit, the Renaissance Center helps with the aesthetics of the down town Detroit area which has fallen into much disrepair.  On the top floor of the hotel is a revolving restaurant that provides customers with fine dining, as well as dramatic views of the city.  
    To commemorate the achievements of Henry Ford, the city of Detroit is home to the Henry Ford Museum.  The large collection of cars in the museum features the history of the automobile in America and gives the story of the life of Henry Ford.  The museum no only show cases, Ford cars, but also Cadillac’s, Volkswagens, and imports from Japan, France and Germany.  Some of the highest visited exhibits include the original Beetle, and the limo that President John F. Kennedy was riding in when he was assassinated.  Next to the Henry Ford Museum is the Greenfield Village.  In the outdoor exhibit are historic homes dating back to the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries.  Among the homes include Thomas Edison’s laboratory and the Wright brother’s home and bicycle shop.  

Sports –
    For a long time, sports in Detroit was sort of an after thought.  It was not until recently did the sports world begin to focus on the Motor City.  The Detroit Lions (NFL), Detroit Pistons (NBA), Detroit Red Wings (NHL), Detroit Tigers (MLB) and the Detroit Shock (WNBA) all call the city home.  In recent years, several of these teams have climbed to the highest position in their respective leagues, and have won championships.  Many of these teams have also won numerous league championships in the past as well.  The Lions have yet to win a Super Bowl, but won NFL Championships in 1935, 1952, 1953 and 1957.  The Pistons brought the most recent world championship to Detroit, winning the NBA Championship in 2004.  The Pistons also won back-to-back championships in 1989 and 1990.  The Detroit Red Wings have won the Stanley Cup 10 times, with their most recent championship coming in 2002.  The Tigers have struggled recently in baseball, but were crowned World Champions in 1935, 1945, 1968 and 1984.  The Shock won the WNBA Championship in 2003.

Boston - New York - St. Louis - Detroit - Chicago
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