History[edit]It was first mentioned in 1561, when it was given to the Cherkassky princely family by Ivan III, after the latter's wedding with Maria Cherkasskaya. However, the relevant document has been lost.The modern city was created by merging the old flax-processing village Ivanovo with the industrial Voznesensky Posad in 1871.[citation needed]Yakov Garelin—a patron of arts, historian, manufacturer, and public figure—is considered to be the founder of the city and its first head. Under his government, the city began to develop and grow.Until 1932, its official name of the city was Ivanovo-Voznesensk.[citation needed] Because of its textile manufacturing industry, Ivanovo earned the sobriquet of the "Russian Manchester" during the 19th century.[10]By the early 20th century, Ivanovo competed with Łódź (also a part of the Russian Empire at that time) for the title of the primary textile production center of Europe. As the workers' living conditions were appalling, the strikes were frequent. One of these strikes (May 14-July 22, 1905) led to thefirst Russian revolution. According to the Soviet historiography,[11] the Ivanovo Soviet (created on May 28, 1905) was one of the first soviets in history. However, this statement is contested.[by whom?]Administrative and municipal status[edit]Ivanovo is the administrative center of the oblast[1] and, within the framework of administrative divisions, it also serves as the administrative center of Ivanovsky District,[1] even though it is not a part of it.[2] As an administrative division, it is incorporated separately as the City of Ivanovo—an administrative unit with the status equal to that of the districts.[2] As a municipal division, the City of Ivanovo is incorporated as Ivanovo Urban Okrug.[3]Economy[edit]Ivanovo has traditionally been called the textile capital of Russia. Since most textile workers are women, it has also been known as the "city of brides". Probably the most famous of the city's female natives was the postmodern French writer Nathalie Sarraute.Every Ivanovo textile factories was closed in 2000s.[12]Transportation[edit]It is home to Ivanovo Severny, which is one of the largest military airlift bases in Russia. Civilian air services are provided at the Ivanovo Yuzhny Airport. Since 1896, there is a railway connection between Ivanovo and Moscow.[13]Education[edit]Ivanovo has several educational institutions: Ivanovo State University, Ivanovo State University of Chemistry and Technology, Ivanovo Medical Academy, Ivanovo Architectural Academy, and Ivanovo State Power University (ISPU).Attractions[edit]