Danbury

City in Fairfield County, southwest Connecticut, 30 km/19 mi northwest of Bridgeport; population (1992) 65,300. It is situated in an agricultural region; industries include electronics, industrial robots, publishing, chemicals, and furniture. Since the late 1970s, Danbury has become the headquarters of several major US corporations, including Union Carbide. It is home to Western Connecticut State University (1903).

First settled by Europeans in 1685, Danbury was incorporated as a city in 1889. In 1777, during the American Revolution, Danbury was destroyed by British troops. From 1780 to 1956, the city was known for its manufacture of hats; the industry was founded in the city in 1780 by Zadoc Benedict.