As Detroit seeks bankruptcy protection that could slash pension benefits to city workers and retirees, and leave bond holders with only pennies on the dollar, take a look at some of the other U.S. cities that have faced a similar crisis. Bill Pugliano/Getty Images

San Bernadino, California , filed for bankruptcy on August 1, 2012, after the housing market and economic downturn left it with a $45 million shortfall. Butch Dill/Bloomberg/Getty Images

Stockton, California , filed for bankruptcy on June 28, 2012, due to a $26 million budget deficit and an inability to reach an agreement with its creditors.

Jefferson County, Alabama , filed for bankruptcy on November 9, 2011, becoming the largest county bankruptcy in U.S. history after winding up over $4 billion in debt. More than $3 billion of that debt was for a sewer project. Butch Dill/Bloomberg/Getty Images

Central Falls, Rhode Island , the state's smallest city, filed for bankruptcy on August 1, 2011. The city's underfunded pension fund drove it over the brink. BRIAN SNYDER/Reuters/LANDOV

The Vallejo, California , city council voted overwhelmingly in 2008 to file for bankruptcy after the housing slump devastated the town's income. in 2011 they filed a plan of adjustment to allow it to continue operations while paying back its debt. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images