Louisville

Louisville is the largest city in Kentucky and the seat of Jefferson County. The city was founded in 1778 by George Rogers Clark and is named after King Louis XVI of France. Louisville is famous for the Kentucky Derby held each year at Churchill Downs.

Around 20,000 residents in the Louisville area were issued an warning on their tap water on May 13, 2009. Due to the breakage of a water main, residents were advised to bring all water to a rolling boil before drinking. The advisory also included water lines and ice machines that are built into refrigerators.Business First (Louisville): Louisville Water Co. issues boil water advisory (May 13, 2009)

Although Louisville is only the 26th largest American city in terms of population, it enters the spotlight annually on the first Saturday of May for the Kentucky Derby. National and international media, celebrities and politicians descend on Louisville's Churchill Downs race track for the famous, $2 million horse race.CNN.com: Horses and drinking -- Kentucky Derby facts (May 2, 2008)

Held every year since 1875, the Derby is soaked in local tradition, including the flamboyant Parade of Hats and the presentation of a blanket of 554 red roses to the winner by the Governor of Kentucky.KentuckyDerby.com: Hat Parade CNN.com: Horses and drinking -- Kentucky Derby facts (May 2, 2008)

• The Courier Journal: Louisville News

• Louisville.edu: University of Louisville