Detroit is the birthplace of Motown, the legendary record label founded by Berry Gordy Jr. in 1959. Motown produced hit songs by artists like Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross & The Supremes, and The Temptations, helping to shape the sound of American music.

Detroit earned the nickname “Motor City” due to its historic role as the automotive capital of the world. Henry Ford founded Ford Motor Company in Detroit in 1903, and the city became synonymous with automobile manufacturing.

The Coney Dog was invented in Detroit. Detroit is famous for its unique take on the hot dog—the Coney Dog. It’s topped with chili, onions, and mustard and is a beloved local culinary tradition.

Detroit was home to Woodward. the first paved road in the US and it has the first three-color traffic light.

Detroit was home to the world’s first urban freeway, the Davison Freeway, built in 1942. The city also boasts some of the oldest and most beautiful skyscrapers in the country, including the iconic Guardian Building.

You can look south into Canada from Detroit. Detroit is the only major city in the United States where you can look south to our neighbors in the north. The Detroit River separates the city from Windsor, Ontario, Canada.

Detroit has its own signature pizza. Just like New York City and Chicago, Detroit has its own unique take on pizza. Detroit-style pizza is characterized by its square shape, thick crust, and toppings underneath a layer of sauce and cheese.

70 percent of all the illegal alcohol that entered the US during Prohibition came through Detroit.

Detroit is the only city in the United States with teams from all four major sports in its downtown area. These teams are the Detroit Lions (NFL), Detroit Tigers (MLB), Detroit Red Wings (NHL), and Detroit Pistons (NBA). 

Detroit is home to the first government-licensed radio station, which started broadcasting in August 1920. The station, 8MK, is known today as WWJ-AM (950).