Great Britain obtained the Illinois region towards the end of the French and Indian Wars in 1763. A few years later the area figured prominently in frontier struggles during the Revolutionary War and then again in the Indian Wars during the early 19th century. The early episodes in the state's history include the influx of settlers following the opening of the Erie Canal in 1825 and the rise of Abraham Lincoln, who rose from farm laborer to President of the United States.
Central Illinois is noted for shrines and memorials associated with the life of Abraham Lincoln. In Springfield are the Lincoln Home, the Lincoln Tomb, and the restored Old State Capitol. Other points of interest in Chicago: the Art Institute, Wrigley Field (home of the Chicago Cubs baseball team), Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, Museum of Science and Industry, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium and the Magnificent Mile.
Over the Easter weekend we traveled to Chicago with our friend Nikki to check out the city and catch up with her family for Easter. Loads of fun was had and we certainly saw plenty of the Windy City.