March 13, 1773
Jean Baptiste Point du Sable established the first
permanent settlement at 'Skikai-o,' meaning "the place
of wild onions,' and is now known as Cicago, Illinois.
This African-American merchant also established trading
posts at present day Peoria, Illinois; Port Huron, Michigan;
and Michigan City, Indiana. Du Sable's log cabin home, located
at 401 North Michigan Avenue, became a national historic
landmark in 1976. The Native Americans of the area have been
known to say "the first white man to settle here was
a negro."