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Erie is a major industrial city on the shore of Lake Erie in the northwestern corner of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. Named for the lake and the Native American tribe that resided along its southern shore, Erie is the state's fourth-largest city with a population of 104,000. Erie's metropolitan area consists of 281,000 residents. The city is the seat of government for Erie County.
Erie played a major part in the War of 1812 when President James Madison ordered the construction of a naval fleet at Erie. Noted shipbuilders Daniel Dobbins of Erie and Noah Brown of New York led construction of four schooner-rigged gunboats and two brigs. Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry arrived from Rhode Island and led the squadron to success in the historic Battle of Lake Erie. Because of the presence of Perry's flagship, the US Brig Niagara, Erie is known as the Flagship City.
Erie is in proximity to Cleveland, Ohio; Buffalo, New York; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Once teeming with heavy industry, Erie's heavy manufacturing sector now consists mainly of plastics and locomotive building. Known for its lake effect snow, Erie is in the heart of the rust belt and has begun to focus on tourism as a driving force in its economy. More than four million people each year visit Presque Isle State Park, for water recreation, and a new casino named for the state park is growing in popularity.
The Erie SeaWolves are a minor league baseball team based in Erie, Pennsylvania. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers Major League Baseball club.
The SeaWolves play in Jerry Uht Park, located in downtown Erie. The team began play at the AA level in 1999 as an affiliate of the Anaheim Angels before switching to the Detroit Tigers in 2001.
The SeaWolves name refers to Erie's location along Lake Erie, as well as the relationship between the original SeaWolves A team and the Pittsburgh Pirates. Historically speaking, the term "sea wolves" was synonymous with "pirate": individuals who commit or practice piracy. The team colors are black and orange.
Strong Vincent (June 17, 1837 – July 7, 1863) was a lawyer who became famous as a U.S. Army officer during the fighting on Little Round Top at the American Civil War Battle of Gettysburg, where he was mortally wounded.
Vincent was born in Waterford, Pennsylvania, son of iron foundryman B. B. Vincent and Sarah Ann Strong Vincent. He attended Trinity College and Harvard University, graduating in 1859. He practiced law in Erie, Pennsylvania.
At the start of the Civil War, Vincent joined the Pennsylvania Militia as an adjutant and first lieutenant of the Erie Regiment. On September 14, 1861, he was commissioned lieutenant colonel of the 83rd Pennsylvania Infantry and was promoted to colonel the following June. After the death of his regimental commander in the Seven Days Battles (at the Battle of Gaines' Mill), Vincent assumed command of the regiment. On Little Round Top, a bullet struck him through the thigh and the groin and he fell. Due to gallant performances by the 20th Maineand the 140th New York, the Union line held against the Confederate onslaught. Vincent was carried from the hill to a nearby farm, where he lay dying for the next five days, unable to be transported to his home due to the severity of his injury.
- ...that after Hugo Chávez's September 2006 speech to the United Nations, gas stations (pictured) operated by the United Refining Company of Warren, Pennsylvania starting removing Citgo signs from their buildings?
- ...that the U.S. federal government sold the disputed Erie Triangle region to Pennsylvania in 1792 so that state would have a freshwater port?
- ...that the official Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, prematurely announced the death of Diocese of Erie Bishop Donald Trautman?