In celebration of Missouri’s 2021 bicentennial anniversary, Ozarks Public Television, in partnership with other Public Television Association of Missouri stations, announces the broadcast premiere of “Missouri! A Bicentennial Celebration.”  

The show will premiere at 8 p.m. Aug. 12.  

“I believe everyone can find tidbits of history and knowledge in the documentary that will lead them to do more digging and research on topics of Missouri’s past that interest them,” Brent Slane, program producer, said. “Just like researching a family tree, the deeper you dive into our shared stories within the state you find many answers to questions you weren’t even looking for. And maybe even a few more questions.” 

This two-hour presentation includes a sweeping snapshot of Missouri. The journey begins with settlement, early territory days, and continues with admittance as America’s 24th state on Aug. 10, 1821.  

The story progresses with the pivotal role Missouri played during the Civil War and continues with highlights of accomplishments and the state’s impact in more recent times.  

Narrated by an actor portraying Mark Twain, the documentary features respected historians and abundant archival images. The result is a warm tribute to and understanding of the Show-Me State and Missourians. 

The historians behind the program 

The Missouri historians involved with this project include:  

• Dr. Gary Kremer, executive director of the State Historical Society of Missouri. 
• Dr. Jon Taylor, history professor at the University of Central Missouri. 
• Dr. Brooks Blevins, Noel Boyd professor of Ozarks Studies at Missouri State. 
• Brad Belk, community historian at Missouri Southern State University. 
• Dr. James Giglio, distinguished professor of history and emeritus faculty at Missouri State.  
• Dr. Arthur Mallory, former Missouri commissioner of education. 
• Dr. Jeremy Neely, assistant professor of history at Missouri State.  
• Dr. William Piston, history faculty emeritus at Missouri State.  

“The spirit of Missouri is her people. And her people are her enduring and note-worthy history,” Tom Carter, program producer, said. “It’s a special privilege for Ozarks Public Television, with support from public broadcasting colleagues at KMOS-TV, Warrensburg, to be able to help share a remarkable story and also preserve it for future generations.” 

About Public Television Association of Missouri (PTAM) 

Public Television Association of Missouri consists of OPT, based in Springfield, Kansas City PBS, Nine Network of St. Louis and KMOS-TV, located in Warrensburg.  

Each station serves Missouri citizens with non-commercial programming, community engagement, education and other services. The four PBS stations in Missouri provide informative and engaging programs for citizens of all ages.  

For this project, the stations will add local voices from their respective communities to tell the wider story of Missouri.