From the Great Chicago Fire to the Michael Jordan era Chicago Bulls dynasty, Chicago has been not only the second largest city in the country, but is also a major destination in the midwest. Chicago has many attractions associated with it, but here are 7 things you don't know about Chicago.

1. In 1885 Chicago became home to the first skyscraper in the world.

2. In 1848 the Illinois and Michigan Canal opened, this canal made it so both steamboats and sailing ships could travel between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River.

3. Chicago is home to the starting point of the world's longest annual freshwater sailboat race, the Chicago Yacht Club Race To Mackinac.

4. In the early 1900s, Chicago took an ingenious step to improve the city's sewage system that included reversing the flow of the Chicago River.

5. Not all of Chicago sits within the borders of Cook County, a small section of the city's O'Hare International Airport stretches across the border into neighboring DuPage County.

6. Chicago was the original selection for the 1904 Olympics. The Olympics were moved to St. Louis to coincide with the World's Fair.

7. In 1933, Chicago Mayor Anton Cermak was assassinated.

Chicago will continue to be one of the most lived in and visited cities in the United States for quite sometime. Between the attractions located within the city and the sites located nearby, it is a destination with few equals.