Glossary
| Chicago, Illinois | | The largest city in Illinois, and the third largest city in the U.S.. The first permanent, non-indigenous settler in the region was a black Haitian named Jean Baptiste Point DuSable. In 1779 he built a house on the banks of the Chicago River, on what is today Michigan Avenue. After the infamous Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which destroyed all but several buildings in the region, Chicago rebuilt rapidly and experienced tremendous growth during the latter part of the 19th century. The city became a destination for immigrants from around the globe, as well as rural farmers and African Americans emigrating from the South. During this period Chicago developed its reputation as a city of industrial grit, ruthless political bosses and rich cultural diversity. Native poet Carl Sandburg called Chicago the “City of Big Shoulders” in his 1916 ”Chicago Poems,” and the nickname stuck. In recent years, Chicago has undergone yet another rebirth, witnessing a growth in population for the first time in decades. As of the 2000 Census, the city was home to 2,896,016 residents. |
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