Visit Detroit

The City of Detroit, Michigan, often referred to as the "Motor City," holds a unique and powerful place in American history. From its roots as a French trading post in 1701 to becoming the epicentre of the automotive industry in the 20th century, Detroit has long been a symbol of innovation, resilience, and reinvention. The city’s greatest claim to fame is its role in the rise of the automobile. In the early 1900s, Henry Ford revolutionized manufacturing with the assembly line, allowing cars to be mass-produced at unprecedented speed and affordability. This innovation didn’t just change transportation—it transformed Detroit into a booming industrial powerhouse, drawing hundreds of thousands of workers from across the country and around the world. At its peak in the 1950s, Detroit was the fourth-largest city in the United States, with nearly 2 million residents. Alongside its industrial success, Detroit has also played a major role in American music. It’s the birthplace of Motown Records, founded by Berry Gordy in 1959. Motown became one of the most successful African American-owned record labels in history, launching the careers of legendary artists like Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, and The Supremes. The music of Motown helped shape the sound of a generation and contributed to the civil rights movement by promoting African American talent on a global scale.