Named after Saint Catherine, the namesake of Peter the Great’s first wife, Yekaterinburg was founded in 1723. The Bolshevik government exiled the Tsar and his family to Yekaterinburg after the Revolution and executed them on July 17, 1918. This city of over 1.3 million hosts more than 100 universities and colleges, a conservatory, five concert halls, many theatres, 13 museums and more than 50 libraries. The city operates large industries in heavy machinery, steel, chemicals, tires, petroleum and gem cutting. The American Center opened in November 1994.