Tucuman is the largest city in Northern Argentina, and the fifth largest in the country. Its particular historical significance comes from the fact that it was the site of the signing of the Declaration of Independence from Spain on July 9, 1816, though it was not officially independent until 1862. Every year on Independence Day, July 9, the July 9 Park holds huge festivities, to which the president of the nation often attends. It is primarily an agricultural economy, earning it the nickname "Garden of the Republic." Its predominant crop is sugarcane, though is also grows tobacco, fruit, and rice. It has a large urban park designed by Charles Thay that houses, among other things, a topiary sun dial, rose garden, lake, and campground. It is huge, though it actually only occupies 1/4 of the originally planned land.
Tucuman has a thriving arts culture, with many theatres that put on operas, ballets, concerts, and cultural events all year long. It is known for having produced several musicians, actresses, singers, scientists and authors. Every September in the July 9 Park, a huge music festival is held where all kinds of music are performed. It is the largest cultural event of the year!
More recently, Tucuman has been the site of a couple important legal trials in which members of the military regime that controlled Argentina from 1976-1984 were found guilty of crimes against humanity. This is a relatively revolutionary event, because until recently, a general amnesty law was in place that forbid these types of trials. In 2003, the Supreme Court ruled that the law was unconstitutional and opened the door to prosecution.