CHICAGO, IL.- Exactly 61 years to the day of its historic capture, the Museum of Science and Industry's U-505 submarine, a National Historic Landmark, was commissioned into its new home � a 35,000-square-foot, underground exhibit. More than 1,000 special guests including Chicago's Mayor Richard M. Daley, Navy Commander Mark Welsh, two German veterans aboard the U-505 during the capture, and United States veterans of Task Group 22.3 who captured the submarine gathered to celebrate the dramatic new exhibit devoted to the story of the legendary U-boat captured by the United States on June 4, 1944.

The new exhibit offers nearly 200 artifacts, many of which have never been seen before, multiple interactive experiences, archival newspapers and photography, videos narrated by Bill Kurtis, re-enactments of key events, dramatic artwork, as well as exciting testimonials from the veterans of Task Group 22.3 who made the remarkable capture. The exhibit opens to the public on June 5, 2005.

"We have built a museum within our Museum to tell the captivating story behind the U-505," said David Mosena, president and CEO of the Museum of Science and Industry. "We went to great lengths to create an atmosphere that is historically accurate, visually compelling, highly interactive and emotionally stimulating. It was an honor to host the American and Germans veterans in the exhibit today and witness their connections to that past and hear their hopes for the future."

The new exhibit culminates seven years of research, conservation, relocation and construction aimed at preserving the boat for future generations. The previous exhibit closed to the public on Sunday, January 4, 2004. In exactly 17 months since the close: extensive restoration was completed, the boat was relocated 1,000 feet to the front of the Museum and lowered to its underground home, an arched roof to cover the space was constructed, interactive stations were installed, dramatic re-enactments were filmed on soundstages and artifacts were put in place.