The first mention of Ivanovo may be found in the year of 1561 and according to the legend it is connected with the name of Ivan the Terrible. The territory was known from ancient times as one of the centers of weaving and processing of flax in Russia. By the middle of the 18-century rich peasants began opening linen factories. The manufacture was gradually mechanized and equipped with steam machines and weaving looms. By 1860 about two thirds of the finished fabric came from them, and Ivanovo became the main textile region of the country.

At the end of the XIX and the beginning of the XX century Ivanovo was one of the centers of revolutionary movement in Russia. Here in 1905 the Soviets - elective board, which later became the basis of political power in the former USSR, were born.

Ivanovo Region as an independent administrative unit was created on June 20, 1918 and obtained its modern borders in the after-war period. During all its history Ivanovo was a typical industrial region. In the 30"s and 40"s textile industry developed fast in the region, in the 50"s and 60"s - machine-building and other industries appeared. At the end of the 50"s and beginning of the 60"s Ivanovo was the center of the Upper-Volga economic unit which encompassed the North-Eastern part of Russia.

Life and activities of many outstanding public figures of the Russian history and culture are connected with Ivanovo lands. Among them counts Sheremetevs, poetess M. Tsvetayeva, architects Vesnin brothers, Russian dramatist A.N. Ostrovsky, a famous traveller admiral G.I. Nevelskiy, a great artist - I.I. Levitan, famous singer F.I. Shalapin, scientist N.N. Benardos, son and father Tarkovskys and many others.