History Presents DETROIT: COMEBACK CITY, An Original Documentary Special to Premiere July 1

HISTORY(R) presents an original documentary special, "Detroit: Comeback City," which recounts the saga of the rise, fall and rebirth of Detroit through the iconic Michigan Central Station. The special premieres Sunday, July 1 at 9pm ET/PT.

Narrated by Academy Award(R)-winner and Detroit native JK Simmons, the film chronicles how Detroit went from the engine of American capitalism to a city of ruins that is now on the cusp of an exciting rebirth. The story of the city is told by real Detroiters who recount the stories of their relatives who helped build the city and the country. Among the interview subjects are Alice Cooper, Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr., Pulitzer Prize-winner Dr. Heather Ann Thompson, Bill Ford and NASA Astronaut Jerry Linenger.

From Henry Ford's automated assembly lines that turned Detroit into a wheelhouse of innovation to the factories that made the city WW2's arsenal of democracy, we will hear from those who found freedom and prosperity in the Motor City, including those who fled racism in the South to build a new life, and those who lived through the city's 1967 riots and the city's eventual downturn - leading to Detroit's painful filing for bankruptcy in 2013.

The anchor of the story is the iconic Michigan Central Station (MCS). Designed by Warren & Wetmore and Reed and Stem, the firms that designed New York City's Grand Central Terminal, MCS was built in the early 20th Century to announce Detroit's dream for the future. The station was an emblem of Detroit's innovative power, but after six decades it was shut down and abandoned, a painful symbol of the city's demise.

Ford Motor Company has purchased Michigan Central Station, and recently announced plans to transform the building into an innovation hub.

"Part of History's mission is to not just tell stories of the past, but capture history as it unfolds," said Eli Lehrer, Executive Vice President of Programming, HISTORY. "Working together with organizations like Ford Motor Company, we are able to breathe new life into the past by working together to save our most precious landmarks for future generations."

"Detroit: Comeback City" is produced by Nutopia and Spoke Entertainment. Jane Root is Executive Producers for Nutopia. Brent Montgomery is Executive Producer for Spoke Studios. David Tackel, Mark Truby and Big Sean also serve as Executive Producers. Eli Lehrer and Kristen Burns are Executive Producers for HISTORY.

About HISTORY(R)

HISTORY(R), now reaching more than 96 million homes, is the leading destination for award-winning series and specials that connect viewers with history in an informative, immersive and entertaining manner across all platforms. The network's all-original programming slate features a roster of signature series including The Curse of Oak Island, Forged in Fire, Alone, Pawn Stars, American Pickers, as well as the hit drama series VIKINGS and SIX. The HISTORY website is located at history.com. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/history and Facebook at facebook.com/history.

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