Our vision for a better tomorrow started as a Teacher's College in 1905.

It continued when we became Missouri State University a century later.

That vision, preparing tomorrow's leaders to make their statement, and bring about the change the world needs.

For more than 115 years, we've been proud to be an integral part of Missouri's story.

What's next for the Show Me State?

We can't wait to find out.

The following is a collaborative production of Ozarks Public Television and KMOS TV.

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC - "THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND"] (CHUCKLING) Well, we better get started here.

Well, for any of you that I haven't already met, my name is Mark Twain.

At least that's my pen name, or how I'm probably most generally known.

I was born Samuel Langhorne Clemens in Florida.

Florida, Missouri that is.

Of course, you may know that I lived in Hannibal, Missouri.

A well-known river town.

My family moving there when I was but 4.

And in my life I've, well, I've enjoyed a number of experiences.

Among them a riverboat pilot, newspaperman, humorist, and probably most successful a writer and storyteller.

And in this presentation, I will be happy to serve as your host.

Now, history, by its nature, can be an expensive, popular, and often interesting topic.

And few aspects of history are more interesting to people than their own.

For example, our own family.

Local stories, where we came from, who we are, and what we've experienced.

In some ways, what we call home.

And the people and events that, well, shape our lives.

2021 is the bicentennial birthday of Missouri-- America's 24th state.

We are known as the Show Me State.

And it's been my observation that travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow mindedness.

So let's travel together through some of the historical highlights of our beloved state, of our story.

I found out there ain't no sure way to find out whether you're like people or hate them, than to travel with them.

So if you'll take a chance and travel along with me, let me show you why we truly love the people and great state of Missouri.

And, what makes them both unique and enduring.

NARRATOR: The story of Missouri is one of many peoples, individuals, and lands.

Not unlike the larger story of America itself.

And like that story, unusual in many ways.

This land, our land, is an expansive geography of more than 3 and 1/2 million square miles of remarkably varied and extraordinarily beautiful terrain.

And within the center is Missouri.

Nearly 70,000 square miles, east to west, and north to south.

Missouri is the heart of the heart of the nation.

It is a place where all kinds of people have come together for centuries.

It is a melting pot, in the melting pot.

It is a place where east and west come together, and north and south.

And in that regard, I think it both reflects and anticipates much of the American character.

NARRATOR: Viewed in total, the history of Missouri is complex.

In many ways, unique and nation impacting.

I've come to appreciate the complexities of its people, and its places.

And also the challenges that come along-- right alongside with trying to make sense of the complexities of those people and places.

NARRATOR: We began as an unsettled and rich wilderness.

A land at the time, inhabited by indigenous people.

Original Native American tribes including the Chickasaw, Illini, Ioway, Otoe, Missouria, Osage, Quapaw and others.

Well, in the 1600s the land that would become Missouri was inhabited by indigenous peoples who were attracted by the waterways.

Particularly the Mississippi, but also the Missouri, the Osage, the major watersheds of those rivers.

The major highways were the rivers, the Mississippi and the Missouri River.

Utilized by all-- Native Americans, French fur traders to get around.

They were attracted by the game.

And when they began to develop agriculture, they were attracted by the fertility of the soil.

NARRATOR: We were a frontier.

During the 1600s, European explorers began arriving and establishing settlements.

Particularly the French, who were often joined by Catholic missionaries.

The early explorers were the French.

Joliet and Marquette coming down out of New France, descending the Mississippi.

NARRATOR: Fur trader, Louis Joliet, accompanied by Jesuit priest, Jacques Marquette, had set off in 1673 on a remarkable and ambitious four month journey.

Covering thousands of miles through the heart of North America, as they explored the path of the mighty Mississippi River.

Information they recorded provided the first accurate detail of the river's course.

The name, Missouri, is said to have Native American origin.

It was during their journey that indication appears of the name and usage of the word, Missouri.

JON TAYLOR: Authorities have said that the Indian syllables, from which the word comes, means, quote, "wooden people, a wooden canoe people".

The word Missouri has been construed to mean as the muddy water.

So there's several different kind of versions of this.

Joliet seemed to encounter some of the Missourias on his way.

And he's the one that actually, kind of, wrote the word Missouri.

In the 1600s, it would have been the multiplicity of Indigenous peoples living here.

Who had been here for centuries.

The Native Americans said they've always been here.

NARRATOR: European colonization did not occur right away with the 1,600 explorations.

But interest in this new, largely unexplored land, was clearly present.

And by the 1700s, the presence and interest of foreign countries in Missouri was increasingly evident.

GARY KREMER: There were European wars going on.

And the European nations, particularly French, England and Spain were looking, I think, to begin to try to colonize.

The fundamental drive was to try to identify this region by the French as their land.

The British controlled most of the territory east of the Mississippi River.

And the Spanish controlled the great Southwest and West.

And so, the French trying to keep abreast of the strength of the economies of their British and Spanish neighbors, were committed to the notion of trying to make certain that they could claim this land between-- especially the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains-- in the 17th and 18th centuries.

NARRATOR: It was, in ways, French fur traders, who along with accompanying missionaries, who most impacted early Missouri settlement and culture.

GARY KREMER: Historically, as always happened, with the explorers came the missionaries who hoped to convert the Indigenous people, in this case, to Catholicism.

NARRATOR: In addition to conversion and evangelization, the Catholic missionary presence, and French explorers had an unquestionable and enduring impact in naming eastern Missouri settlements.

GARY KREMER: It's always struck me as a bit interesting that the 18th century settlements, which are established during the French control, have essentially French names.

You know, Saint Louis, for Louis the Great.

Ste.

Genevieve.

St. Charles.

NARRATOR: Ste.

Genevieve, located along the west bank of the Mississippi River is acknowledged as Missouri's oldest settlement, named for the patron Saint of Paris France's capitol.

GARY KREMER: You'd have some St. Louisans argue about that.

But I think it's abundantly clear that Ste.

Genevieve is the first permanent settlement.

Maybe even by a generation, before St. Louis is settled.

JON TAYLOR: In 1752, the census for Ste.

Genevieve reported a total population of 23-- white and Black, free and slave.

20 years later, the population was 691 people living in the village.

NARRATOR: The fur trading post and later larger settlement of St. Louis was founded further upstream by Frenchman, Pierre Laclede and his stepson, Auguste Chouteau, in 1764.

The King of France at the time was Louis XV.

And Laclede named the city St. Louis, in honor of his ruler's patron saint, King Louis IX.

JON TAYLOR: So in 1770, the population of St. Louis was under 600 individuals.

So in that would have been comprised of French, Spanish, Native Americans-- who might have settled in the area.

And it was kind of a diffuse population.

People coming and going.

GARY KREMER: Almost from the beginning St. Louis is primarily a trading center.

And a trading center that is primarily dealing in furs that are shipped to the east and to Europeans.

JON TAYLOR: And so, you have a small presence of folks.

And the fur traders are intermarrying with the Native Americans here.

That was good for business.

Obviously, it also deals with the fact that there were not really French families established here.

With the introduction of, kind of the commerce with the fur trade, it really changed the dynamics in the Indigenous cultures.

Because they were essentially killing furs which now are traded to the French.

And so there is dollar value obviously associated with that.

And so obviously the Osages receive things in return.

But the commodification of that market created competition.

It created competition among, kind of, neighboring tribes.

NARRATOR: Closely following the founding of St. Louis, French settlement and expansion continued with the establishment of St. Charles in 1769 as a fur trading post by French-Canadian, Louis Blanchette.

The site was originally known as Les Petites Cotes, The Little Hills.

It's Missouri's third oldest city.

And it's here that Lewis and Clark's historic journey began in 1804.

The community would be renamed as St. Charles and later be the future location of Missouri's first capital.

Ownership of land that would become part of the United States and include the state of Missouri would be contested through wars between France and Spain, and would exchange hands at different times between them.

France controlled the so-called Louisiana Territory between 1699 and 1762, when it was then ceded to Spain.

France regained control of the land in 1800, as French political and military leader Napoleon Bonaparte attempted to renew and expand a French colonial presence in North America.

GARY KREMER: Didn't quite work out that way but that was his hope.

NARRATOR: President Thomas Jefferson was a visionary and had early interest in the Louisiana Territory land long before its availability, and bold plans for its exploration, development, and usage.

GARY KREMER: Jefferson had his eyes on the territory that would become Missouri, and indeed, the Louisiana Purchase territory.

NARRATOR: Fortunately, for future growth of America and the creation of the state of Missouri, Napoleon becomes overextended and plagued by governing and military problems in other countries and a prospect of renewed war with England, resulting in the sale of the French land.

GARY KREMER: A peculiar happenstance of history that Napoleon decides to sell the land because he's troubled by his difficulties in Haiti.

And the land has become too burdensome to try to manage.

Although, there's some evidence that later Napoleon regretted that decision.

And that may be why Jefferson tried to rush ahead and make sure that the deal could be closed.

And that the exploration of the Trans-Mississippi West could be engaged in, so that we could make certain that this land was going to be American land.

NARRATOR: American Representative James Monroe and Robert Livingston formally signed the Louisiana Purchase in Paris, France, on May 2, 1803.

In the purchase agreement, the United States received approximately 828,000 square miles, a cost of approximately $18 per square mile.

GARY KREMER: The purchase price for the Louisiana Territory was $15 million total, which came to roughly $0.04 per acre.

An enormous bargain in any time period.

Certainly by comparison to today's dollar.

JON TAYLOR: At the time of the transfer of the Louisiana Purchase territory from France to the United States, there were a little over 10,000 people living in what would become Missouri.

NARRATOR: The Louisiana Purchase, and newly acquired land, expanded US sovereignty across the Mississippi River.

And at the time, nearly doubling the current size of the country that would include six future states and parts of nine others.

Unquestionably curious about the newly acquired landscape and inhabitants, strongly committed to trade and economic possibilities, President Thomas Jefferson assembled a unique group under the leadership of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark and commissioned a defining historic exploration.

GARY KREMER: And charged them the responsibility of what he termed, a voyage of discovery.

This is an effort to travel into the interior of this Louisiana Purchase territory.

JON TAYLOR: So in May of 1804, the Corps of Discovery, which comprised about 40 individuals, began to ascend the Missouri River to explore it according to President Thomas Jefferson's instructions.

That Corps of Discovery included individuals who could-- who were literate, they could draw maps.

GARY KREMER: To identify the flora and the fauna, to identify the Indigenous peoples.

To, hopefully, establish relationships with these people that would allow for trade.

And to perhaps find a much more efficient, quicker trade route to the Far East.

NARRATOR: On May 14, 1804, the expedition left St. Charles, Missouri.

Uniquely, accompanying them on their mission was York, William Clark's enslaved person, and who was said to have been treated like any other member of the expedition.

He became the first African-American to cross the unsettled lands and reach the Pacific Ocean.

Later during their journey, they were joined and assisted by a Shoshone Indian woman, Sacajawea, who served as an interpreter and was the only female in the group.

As a Native American, she was more familiar with characteristics of the land and was helpful as a guide.

During their journey, 120 varied animals and 200 botanical examples were documented.

They also provided invaluable maps and forged peaceful relationships with many Native American tribes.

When meeting with the tribes, the tribal leader was presented with a special peace medal that President Jefferson had provided and crafted by the US mint.

One side bearing his likeness.

And the other side depicting two hands clasped together under an image of a tomahawk and a peace pipe, with the inscription, peace and friendship.

JON TAYLOR: Takes a lot of resilience.

Takes a lot of ingenuity.

And that Corps of Discovery had the right folks to be able to, kind of, pull all of those things off.

NARRATOR: Members of the Lewis and Clark expedition would unquestionably experience previously unknown, or one-of-a-kind, and maybe, life-changing encounters.

One of these must have been a breathtaking, revealing, and moving site by William Clark near their camp site and location named in his honor.

GARY KREMER: Clark, climbing Clark's hill outside of Jefferson City where he could observe the Missouri and the Osage rivers coming together.

And what he discovered at the top of the hill was ancient burial mounds of peoples whose lives in that part of what would become Missouri, extended back for centuries before any white people ever saw what would become Missouri.

NARRATOR: The Lewis and Clark Expedition concluded September 23, 1806, in St. Louis.

It lasted 2 and 1/2 years and encompassed more than 8,000 miles in their trek to the Pacific Ocean and back.

Only one member of the party was lost.

For their leadership and accomplishment, Lewis and Clark each received double pay and 1,600 acres of land.

Meriwether Lewis soon became governor of the Louisiana Territory.

And William Clark was appointed Brigadier General of Militia for the territory.

Later becoming governor of the Missouri Territory.

JON TAYLOR: In many ways, they certainly fulfilled Thomas Jefferson's mission.

These journals-- you know, many of them still survive to this day-- that they chronicled what they found, plotted, locations for forts, all of those kinds of things, are still with us.

NARRATOR: Following the Louisiana Purchase and exploration of Lewis and Clark, a Louisiana territorial government is established.

JON TAYLOR: And at that point, then you begin to have the United States think about creating additional states out of this area.

And really one of the first states to be considered was Missouri.

However, one of the challenges-- which had always been a challenge, I think, for the French and the Spanish management, were the Indigenous tribes and the Native Americans who lived on the land.

And there were a number of removal treaties that were executed with these tribes that had been in the area.

For example, like the Osages or the Missourias, or some of the other transplanted tribes, like the Shawnees, or Delawares, or the-- even the Sac and Fox.

And the whole point of that was you were developing the state essentially for white settlement.

NARRATOR: Western settlement and permanency became increasingly a goal.

And Missouri's earlier and first permanent settlement, Ste.

Genevieve, was formally incorporated in 1808.

That same year, an early landmark of a growing civilization of the area was the founding of Missouri's first newspaper, The Missouri Gazette, by Joseph Charles in the community.

JON TAYLOR: So in June of 1812, President James Madison promoted the Louisiana Territory, which had been just established, kind of, right after the Louisiana Purchase.

Elevated it to what was called the second grade status and renamed it the Missouri Territory.

And so that's the first time you see the word Missouri used to eventually, obviously, describe what would become the state of Missouri.

NARRATOR: A few months later, the first General Assembly of the Territory of Missouri met, and organized Missouri's five original counties, Cape Girardeau, New Madrid, St. Charles, St. Louis and Ste.

Genevieve.

Counties being America's oldest forum of local government.

The following year, President James Madison appointed the first governor of the Missouri Territory, William Clark.

GARY KREMER: The settlement of the territory that would become Missouri remains relatively sparse until after the War of 1812, which ends in 1815.

The War of 1812, that ends in 1815, solidifies American control over the Trans-Mississippi West.

And it opens up to settlement that territory in a way that hadn't existed before.

Most of-- many of the Indigenous peoples sided with the British in the War of 1812.

The Americans win that war.

The British and their Indigenous people allies are defeated.

It's a generalization, but I think there is evidence that a majority of Missourians in the early 19th century, both in the territory and the state, saw Indigenous peoples as an obstacle to their own ability to control the land.

And the Indigenous peoples were simply people who needed to be removed from the land so that whites could live there in peace.

I hope that something can be done.

Perhaps that is a third century goal of Missourians to reconnect to the Indigenous peoples, to the cultures of the Indigenous peoples.

And there were many and they were very different.

But I would hope that, somehow, we would be able to come to a greater understanding of the complexities of their lives.

And the fact that they loved this place we now occupy, as much as we love it now.

MARK TWAIN: Indeed.

Many things to reflect upon in our early history.

Well, as a former newspaperman it's interesting hearing about the first newspaper in our state.

Even at my age, something that predated me a few years.

Things are getting increasingly interesting and starting to happen quickly with many important events and issues unfolding.

Now often important, or noteworthy events are the result of compromise.

And it was with compromise that Missouri became America's 24th state.

[instrumental music playing] NARRATOR: Many events were converging to become an unmistakable prelude to a looming and desired statehood.

An unquestionably significant event in American history, certainly for Missouri, is the Missouri Compromise.

Debate and legislation that will lead to statehood, and in ways, set the stage for America's historic and unforgettable Civil War.

GARY KREMER: The effort at Missouri becoming a state really begins in a serious way in late 1817, when the first petition for statehood is drafted.

At the time, the minimum requirement for population was that 65-- there had to be 65,000 people in the state, or in the territory.

Missouri was a little bit under that.

Although, some claim there were in excess of 100,000.

There was a significant slave population.

Probably in excess of 10,000 slaves.

So, roughly, one out of six, or so people in Missouri was an African-American slave.

NARRATOR: Missouri's formal petition for statehood was presented to Congress on January 8, 1880, by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Henry Clay.

It wasn't long until there was voiced opposition to parts of the proceedings.

BROOKS BLEVINS: But a fight breaks out when a New York representative in the House of Representatives proposes an amendment to the Missouri state bill.

And his original amendment suggested that there would be no more slavery north of the 36 degree 30 minute line, which is the Missouri-Arkansas state line-- today, the Missouri-Arkansas state line.

GARY KREMER: The question of whether Missouri would come into the Union as a slave state or a free state was, of course, a very divisive issue.

It resulted in what we know as the Missouri Compromise.

Which allowed for Maine to come in as a free state and Missouri is a slave state, so that the balance of free and slave states in the United States Senate would remain the same.

The free states already controlled the House of Representatives because of their greater population.

NARRATOR: During this time, Missouri population and settlement would be increasing and ultimately impacting.

JON TAYLOR: On the eve of statehood, 1820, it had grown to 66,000.

So those newcomers that were coming, settlers that were pouring in, they came from Virginia, the Carolinas, Kentucky and Tennessee.

NARRATOR: Debate and challenges would continue with the issue of slavery remaining forefront.

JON TAYLOR: So in the Missouri Compromise of 1820, nationally, the concern was over the division between free and enslaved states.

And, obviously, Missouri was contemplating entering the Union as a slave state.

BROOKS BLEVINS: The compromise was, well, we'll bring Maine in and Missouri in, and what that will do is it will maintain the balance in the US Senate.

And what I mean by the balance in the US Senate is between slave states and free states.

That was a very important thing for, kind of, maintaining the peace, I guess, at that time.

NARRATOR: Throughout 1820, significant political, organizational, and even geographical events would evolve.

One of Missouri's most defining physical characteristics is the "boot heel" along its southeast border.

The initial southern boundary as established by Congress in 1818, was a straight line across the upper Arkansas Territory.

Cattleman and large landowner, John Hardeman Walker successfully petitioned lawmakers for his land, and his neighbors', to be within Missouri when the new lines were drawn in 1820.

Congress continues moving forward and authorizes Missouri to establish a government in March of 1820.

On July 19, Missouri's first Constitution was adopted, and Alexander McNair elected as governor on August 28, during the state's first elections.

And the first General Assembly began its first session at the Missouri Hotel in St. Louis on September 18.

All of this preceding the much anticipated announcement, President James Monroe admits Missouri into the Union as America's 24th state on August 10, 1821.

With St. Charles serving as the site of the first capital until a permanent location is determined.

BROOKS BLEVINS: And so Missouri joins the Union in 1821 as the next state with slavery, and Maine joins as a free state.

And you maintain that balance in the US Senate.

And then after Missouri joins, its 15 more years before another state joins the United States.

NARRATOR: We became the new Western border of the United States.

And Missouri is now quickly, and proudly, becoming the celebrated Gateway to the West-- the beginning points of the Oregon and Santa Fe trails that would support and link the United States movement west.

The Oregon Trail was created by traders and fur trappers beginning around 1811, and only traveled on foot or by horseback.

Wagon trains and large groups of settlers began leaving from Independence, Missouri by 1836, on their way to the trail's terminus of Oregon City.

The Santa Fe Trail began later, in 1821, and pioneered by Missouri trader, William Becknell.

GARY KREMER: He puts an announcement in the newspaper, anybody who wants to go, let's meet on this date in the fall of 1821.

And bring whatever you think you can sell-- horses, and mules, and other products.

NARRATOR: Participants were brave, often heroic and resilient.

They demonstrated characteristics and qualities that have since been reflected as an American spirit.

JON TAYLOR: You see them fulfilling government contracts because you see forts being constructed further west out of Missouri.

And so you have contractors, or freighters, as they were called, freighting goods into the west.

And so, Missouri was a really important, kind of, provisioning place for those individuals who had contracts, or the folks wanting to go further into the west.

NARRATOR: Described today as a commercial highway of its time, the trailhead was Franklin, Missouri, and it would end in modern day Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Along the route, Arrow Rock, Missouri, originally called Philadelphia when it was founded in 1829, would grow in significance.

JON TAYLOR: So Arrow Rock became a really important place.

And begins to, kind of, rival St. Louis in terms of political-- and to a certain extent-- a little bit economic influence.

What you see in Arrow Rock is the Santa Fe trade becoming an important part of Missouri's overall economy.

NARRATOR: Just as with the earlier Oregon Trail, Independence, Missouri would also later become the eastern terminus for the Santa Fe Trail, and the jumping off point for both.

During this period of Missouri development, and beginning soon after Missouri statehood, immigrants from other countries, most notably Germans, increasingly joined resident American settlers.

GARY KREMER: There were Germans here very early.

But most historians agree that the bulk of the German settlement in Missouri came in the 18-- after the 1820s, into the 1830s.

JON TAYLOR: And so, you see, kind of, larger German population coming in prior to the American Civil War.

Living in and around St. Louis and other small communities across the state.

So you have a very interesting mix of folks.

So that on the eve of the American Civil War, at least in the state of Missouri in 1860, there were 88,487 individuals of German ancestry in the state of Missouri.

NARRATOR: German interest and settlement in Missouri is largely attributed to Prussian lawyer, Gottfried Duden, who purchased a farm near St. Louis in 1824.

And who traveled the country documenting his experiences and observations.

JON TAYLOR: Then Gottfried Duden began to write letters back to Germany.

And he was describing Missouri, kind of, as the Garden of Eden.

NARRATOR: Duden returned to Germany.

And in 1829, self-published 1,500 copies of a book, Report on a Journey to the western States of North America.

In which he enthusiastically encouraged German immigration to Missouri.

A resulting unique area of our state is the Missouri Rhineland with the first German settlement being Dutzow in 1832.

By 1837, German immigrants form the town of Hermann.

A perfect setting that would be the beginning of Missouri's legendary wine industry and legacy.

It's estimated, that just 20 years later, more than 100,000 gallons of wine was being produced annually.

And in the 1870s, Stone Hill Winery produced more than 1 million gallons annually.

Making it the second largest wine producer in America, and the third largest in the world.

Missouri would continue its role as a leading American wine producer up to prohibition.

The Missouri wine industry was renewed in 1965, by Stone Hill Winery and Hermann, and production now spreads across the state.

Coinciding the founding year of Hermann, Missouri, and the beginnings of the state's wine industry-- and the state's accompanying growing immigration population-- Missouri's western border would take different shape in 1837, as a result of the Platte purchase.

GARY KREMER: The Platte purchase essentially adds northwest Missouri's-- NARRATOR: President Martin Van Buren approved the annexation of the new border that became six additional counties, and including, nearly two million acres of land.

GARY KREMER: Really in topography, much more similar to parts of Iowa than to, certainly, the Ozarks or southern Missouri.

NARRATOR: Prior to the Platte purchase, this land was thought to be unnecessary due to population.

It was, instead, reserved for Native American relocation.

Following acquisition, several treaties and negotiations led to Native American tribes being relocated to make room for increasing white settlement.

Many tribes would be forced to relocate to the newly formed Indian territory-- present-day Oklahoma-- as part of the Federal Indian Removal Act signed by President Andrew Jackson in 1830, that authorized the president to grant lands west of the Mississippi, in exchange for tribal lands within existing state borders.

As population and settlement in Missouri grew, Native Americans were consistently, and forcibly, pushed farther west.

A noted part of this history is the Cherokee Trail of Tears crossing through Missouri that occurred between 1837 and 1839.

The year 1838, continued a period of displacement, and sometimes tensions.

This time from intolerance and the growing population of Mormons to Missouri.

JEREMY NEELY: During the 1830s, Joseph Smith's Mormon Church is the rapidly growing denomination that comes to Missouri.

Prophecy has told Joseph Smith that, what is Missouri holds a special place in the church's future.

And so, they come to Jackson County-- present day where Kansas City area is-- but Independence, and they quickly thrive.

They do very well.

But they draw the ire of their non-Mormon neighbors because of their religious beliefs.

Because they exhibit antislavery feelings in an area where slavery is legal and slavery is accepted.

And many of the most influential people are slave owners.

But in time, there are so many Mormons there that they represent competition for the non-Mormon population.

And this competition, and suspicion, eventually erupts into violence.

And the state of Missouri will carve out a new county for the Mormons to be resettled in up to the north.

Caldwell County is established as a, kind of, refuge for the Mormons to be put, and where they can continue to grow in number.

But, eventually, there are so many Mormons in Caldwell County that it can't contain them all.

NARRATOR: In 1838, tensions explode and violence erupts between the Mormons-- officially the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and their non Mormon neighbors.

Leading to Governor Lilburn Boggs issuing his historic Extermination Order on October 27 against all Mormons living in Missouri.

Forcefully relocating them to Nauvoo, Illinois, which became church headquarters prior to Salt Lake City, Utah.

JEREMY NEELY: And that marks the end of the Mormon settlement in the state.

NARRATOR: It would be almost 25 years after the Extermination Order but Mormons, following their faith and beliefs, would begin returning and remain an important presence in Missouri.

Building the Kansas City, Missouri Temple in Clay County, and dedicating it on May 6, 2012.

Surprisingly, Missouri Executive Order 44 remained on the books until rescinded with formal apology by Governor Christopher Bond on June 25, 1976.

The success and foundation of 1821, was not without additional growing pains in future years.

The historic and impacting Missouri Compromise would remain relevant for about 33 years before being challenged and repealed by the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854.

And the 1857 Supreme Court ruling in the far reaching Dred Scott case.

The two rendering the Missouri Compromise as unconstitutional.

These two events would clearly be catalysts to America's inevitable, and nation shaking, Civil War.

A war of unprecedented division, horror, and lingering effect, and perhaps, no more so than in Missouri.

With westward expansion and settlement successful and actively continuing, by the 1850s there was increased need and interest to organize new western territories and states.

On May 30, 1854, President Franklin Pierce signed the Kansas-Nebraska Act.

Legislation reflecting the territory of Nebraska, that included present-day states Kansas, Nebraska, Montana, and the Dakotas.

Questions of slavery would remain prominent in the development of America, and this legislation proposed by Illinois Senator, Stephen Douglas, promoted "popular sovereignty" as an effort to resolve these questions.

Allowing territory settlers to choose whether slavery would exist within these borders.

It also, in effect, overturned the Missouri Compromise.

And would inflame the fiery question and practice of slavery as pro and anti-slavery supporters entered these territories in an effort to influence voting and outcome.

Bloody border wars would consequently occur, further fueling divisions and the flames of inevitable war.

BROOKS BLEVINS: Speaking of the Kansas-Nebraska Act, Missouri was very much involved in that too.

Because when Congress voted to allow the citizens of the Kansas Territory to vote-- on whether or not they're going to be a slave territory or free territory-- what happens is bunches of people from Missouri-- bunches of pro-slavery people from Missouri-- flood across the line into Kansas and vote illegally in those votes that they have.

And this, you know, this causes a lot of strife, and there's bloodshed in Kansas.

And so, Missouri being, you know, right here in the heart of North America, the heart of the continental United States, really plays, you might say, an outsized role in that whole saga that leads up to the Civil War.

NARRATOR: A complicated and contested court case involving African-American, Dred Scott, would earn national attention and become one of Missouri history's most impacting and landmark events.

GARY KREMER: The Dred Scott case is, certainly, one of the benchmarks on the trail to the Civil War.

NARRATOR: The Dred Scott case centered on a Missouri enslaved person who originally belonged to the Blow family, and who was born into slavery in Virginia, around 1799.

In 1832, he arrived in St. Louis with his owner, Peter Blow.

Dred Scott would be sold to a physician, Dr. John Emerson, who relocated to Illinois, and later Wisconsin.

Both of these being slavery free states.

Following Dr. Emerson's death, his wife Eliza Sanford, returned to St. Louis accompanied by Scott and his wife, Harriet.

Back in a slave state, the Scotts would later sue for their freedom based on two Missouri statutes.

One, allowing a person of any color to sue for wrongful enslavement.

And another stating, that any enslaved person taken to a free territory would become automatically a free person, and could not be re-enslaved if they return to a slave state.

In April, 1846, proceedings would begin in the now historic Old St. Louis Courthouse.

Trials would continue in a decade-long series of reversed and appealed decisions, during which, the Scotts would win and lose their freedom.

Hearings would, ultimately, reach federal court where on May 15, 1854, Scott and his family were judged to remain enslaved people.

Dred Scott appealed to the United States Supreme Court where hearings began on February 11, 1856.

And where, ultimately, he would lose his fight for freedom.

GARY KREMER: Very famous case, in 1857, Chief Justice Roger B. Taney ruled that Dred Scott was not a free man.

And, indeed, went further than that and made the assertion that no Black person had any rights that any white person was obligated to acknowledge.

NARRATOR: The issue of slavery would remain central to Missouri, and increasingly, to the country.

And increasingly, to the flaming nerve that would help open the wound of a Civil War.

JEREMY NEELY: As the United States neared the point of rupture and disunion, Missouri, as a border state, represents both the geographical, but the political middle.

In the 1860 election-- which is going to result in Abraham Lincoln becoming president-- Missourians generally preferred the preservation of the status quo.

They wanted to keep the union together.

But Missourians also hoped, white Missourians to preserve slavery.

Most Missourians did not own slaves, but they accepted the legality and the constitutionality of slavery.

The most influential Missourians, most of them did own slaves, especially in the Missouri River Valley.

BROOKS BLEVINS: And then you had a lot of people who were what we call Conditional Unionists.

What that means is someone who wanted to stay in the Union, but, if the fighting starts, they change their mind.

And they blame the war on Abraham Lincoln, on the North, and all of a sudden they're in favor of leaving the Union and joining the Confederacy.

It may be because they have Southern heritage, or dad was born and raised in Tennessee, or whatever it is.

Or because they have slaves, or whatever, but you have this deeply divided population in Missouri.

JEREMY NEELY: And so Missourians hoped that war could be averted.

In February 1861, they organize a convention in St. Louis to decide the question of secession.

And they vote, overwhelmingly, to stay within the Union.

And so it will remain a Union state, but a Union state that-- for many of its leaders, would rather remain one where slavery is legal.

BROOKS BLEVINS: Late 1860, after Abraham Lincoln is elected, Missouri is a true border state in the United States by this time.

Missouri is a state where slavery is legal.

Just under 10% of the population in 1860, in Missouri, was enslaved.

JON TAYLOR: But again, these individuals are considered their property.

So when you look at the census records, which is so powerful, and you look at the census schedules, and you look at slave schedules, these folks are enumerated.

But they're not considered as folks, they are property.

They are enumerated without their names.

And that's so powerful.

And the wealth of that plantation owner, or whoever owned them, was bound up in the number of slaves that they owned.

And that is very clear when you see they're the enumerations.

Male, female, without any names.

And that's-- that's a powerful-- those slave schedules are some of the most powerful documents to take a look at.

They will stir your soul.

NARRATOR: Civil War was looming.

There remained much conflict among Missouri's residents and differences between political leadership.

In 1860, Claiborne Fox Jackson is elected governor in a four person race.

JEREMY NEELY: He's a moderate.

He runs a campaign that pushes back against the idea of secession.

Asserts that he's a Unionist.

But he gets elected and becomes governor.

And he begins to veer towards open sympathies with the Confederate States of America.

And in the spring of 1861, Governor Jackson begins to actively maneuver Missouri towards the Confederacy.

BROOKS BLEVINS: And then, you have a lot of people who are in the state General Assembly who are opposed to it.

You have a lot of people who are in favor of it.

And, basically, what it comes down to in the spring of 1861, is just a matter of force.

JEREMY NEELY: And this eventually comes to a head with an infamous meeting in St. Louis at the Planter's House Hotel.

Where there's a confrontation between Governor Jackson and the commander of US forces in St. Louis, Nathaniel Lyon.

Who asserts to Governor Jackson that he will not allow defiance, or secession, or rebellion in Missouri.

And the US Army was determined to hold the state.

Governor Jackson will retreat back to Jeff City.

He will be pursued by federal soldiers.

And from Jefferson City, Jackson and secessionist members of the state legislature will withdraw west towards Boonville-- which becomes the first engagement of the Civil War, really, in Missouri.

And it might be the only military engagement of the entire conflict in which a governor will lead state troops in combat.

NARRATOR: The June 17, 1861, Battle of Boonville, while comparatively small to other Missouri fighting, was not without impact.

JEREMY NEELY: But it's noteworthy, that we can now see there's no turning back from open warfare in Missouri between southern sympathizers and federal forces.

NARRATOR: Following their defeat at Boonville, Governor Jackson and southern sympathizers from the General Assembly retreated into southwest Missouri, setting up a temporary and opposing location of Confederate government.

JEREMY NEELY: And, eventually, at Neosho, they will convene and attempt to pass an ordinance of secession to withdraw Missouri from the Union.

There remains some doubt about the legality of this ordinance.

It does not seem that there was a quorum, or a necessary number of legislators present to have duly passed this.

But in their absence from Jefferson City, the US Army will install a loyal provisional government.

And so throughout the war, Missouri will have two state governments.

The government that had been elected in 1860, many members of which have now declared their allegiance to the Confederacy, but which will be in exile, spending it's time in Arkansas and then down in Texas.

And then you have in Jefferson City, the Unionist government, installed and protected by the US Army.

NARRATOR: Governor Jackson would return to fighting early the following month on July 5, in the Battle of Carthage.

Engaging veteran Union Colonel, Franz Sigel, who was committed to keeping Missouri in Union control.

Sigel was significantly outnumbered and he was, ultimately, forced to retreat.

The engagement encouraging Confederate hope for the loyalties of Missouri and becoming a prelude to the following month's August 10 and Confederate victory at the Battle of Wilson's Creek near Springfield.

The Battle of Wilson's Creek is acknowledged as the second major battle of the Civil War-- following the Battle of Bull Run in Virginia three weeks earlier.

WILLIAM GARRETT PISTON: Bull Run.

First Bull Run.

First Manassas.

First battle of Civil War.

Of course, there were-- in 1861-- a dozen engagements in Virginia, prior to Bull Run.

All of which were given the title, "Battle."

NARRATOR: Significantly, Wilson's Creek would be the first major Civil War battle west of the Mississippi.

And Nathaniel Lyon would be the first Union General killed in the Civil War.

Both sides extending great respect to General Lyon following his death.

BROOKS BLEVINS: You have to think about-- In 1861, when the Civil War starts, Missouri's still almost on the western frontier of the United States.

Kansas has, you know, is just becoming a state.

And anything beyond that is just the Wild West still in 1861.

And Missouri, west of the Mississippi, a whole long ways from Washington DC, or Richmond, Virginia, which eventually becomes the Capital of the Confederacy, for that matter.

It's way out here.

And if you study the Civil War, you realize that both Abraham Lincoln, the President of the United States, and Jefferson Davis, the president of the Confederacy, are much more concerned with what's happening on the east side of the Mississippi River.

WILLIAM PISTON: But it was important, because it was the culmination of a major campaign.

Very, very significant impact in holding Missouri for the Union.

When General Nathaniel Lyon led his troops and attacked the Southerners encamped at Wilsons Creek, he was trying to preempt any ability on those who favored secession from being able to organize successfully.

And even though the Lyon lost his life, and even though the Union troops actually retreated to Rolla after the battle, the Southern cause never got firmly anchored here in Missouri.

NARRATOR: There would be other significant fighting in Missouri at Westport-- modern day Kansas City, Missouri.

JEREMY NEELY: The Battle of Westport in the fall of 1864, is known as the Gettysburg of the West.

And it marks the culmination of a long anticipated struggle for the fate of Missouri.

Earlier that fall, in September, former Missouri Governor Sterling Price, now a Rebel commander, decides that he is at last going to invade Missouri from Arkansas, with the hope of liberating Missouri from federal control.

Price's army is not well supplied.

It's not well armed.

He's going to have men marching into Missouri who don't have shoes, for example.

But he believes that his army will be greeted by Missourians relieved to have them there.

And that Missourians will rise up and provide the rebels with additional recruits, and with supplies.

And that, perhaps, they can March upon St. Louis, and relieve St. Louis from this Union occupation that it's suffered now for a few years.

NARRATOR: Price and his Confederate forces were decisively defeated by Union Major General Samuel R. Curtis and his troops.

Final battle scale fighting in Missouri would end with the second Battle of Newtonia, located in southwest Missouri, on October 28, 1864.

The first battle of Newtonia, on September 30, 1862, was one of the few occasions where Native Americans fought on both sides.

On April 9, 1865, Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered his troops to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, ending the war.

JEREMY NEELY: The ultimate impact at the Civil War in Missouri is that, I think it destroys slavery.

NARRATOR: But wounds from the Civil War in Missouri would be deep and lasting.

JEREMY NEELY: The Civil War in Missouri does not have the kind of finality that we sometimes associate.

People think about Appomattox Courthouse and the gathering of Ulysses Grant and Robert E. Lee, who signs the surrender.

In Missouri, we don't have that.

In Missouri, the war is dominated by guerrilla violence.

We do have a lot of battles between conventional forces.

In fact, Missouri ranks third amongst the states that have the most Civil War engagements, behind Virginia and Tennessee.

But in Missouri it's, it's a war that's raged in the words of the late historian, Michael Fellman, everywhere.

Because Fellman called it, the War of 10,000 Nasty Incidents.

And it's a conflict that slowly burns itself out.

And you can see the embers of that conflict continuing to run hot, well past 1865.

NARRATOR: Thousands of Missourians became participants in the horrific and bloody fighting.

WILLIAM PISTON: In round numbers, there are about 111,000 soldiers who enlist in the Union Army at one time or another.

On the southern side, you see all kinds of figures.

Their records were very poorly kept, or nonexistent.

A low figure would be 30,000 supporting the Confederacy.

I think that's way too low.

Some people would take it as high as 65,000.

I think that's too high.

But certainly something on the order of 40,000 to 50,000 at least supporting the Confederacy.

Which means that, you know, that's a significant number of people of military age out of Missouri's population.

Of course, Missouri also contributed Black troops to the Civil War.

The 62nd, 67, 68, and 64th United States Colored Troops here in Missouri.

About 8,000 African-Americans fought for the Union in Missouri.

An unknown number enlisted the United States Navy.

In the riverine navies that fought along the Mississippi River.

So Missouri made a contribution to the US Navy, as well, with both white sailors and Black sailors.

[music playing] MARK TWAIN: As a state we worked to recover from that nation-shaking war.

We would endure and progress.

Well, we've covered much of our history chronologically, but let's begin understanding some of our story more topically.

For example, beginning with a favorite subject for many, including me.

Politics.

[horn blaring] NARRATOR: To understand a state, its people, and evolution, it's often important to have a basic understanding of its politics.

Preparing for statehood, Missouri's first Constitution was adopted on July 19, 1820.

Our first seat of government was temporarily St. Charles, Missouri.

GARY KREMER: It was never meant to be the permanent capital.

It was the first temporary capital.

A decision-- there was a lot of competition.

Potosi, various places in the state.

Our government started out in St. Charles, but we decide in this Constitution, in 1820, that the permanent seat of government will be in the interior of the state, accessible to all people.

And the major criteria are it must be on the Missouri River-- which is the major artery of travel and trade across the state.

It must be within 40 miles of the mouth of the Osage river-- which is the principal trade and traffic artery into the Ozarks.

And the other stipulation is, in many ways the very interesting one, there must be four sections of land that are not-- whose ownership is not contested.

A section of land being 640 acres.

So we're talking about over 2,500 acres of land.

NARRATOR: On December 31, 1821, Governor Alexander McNair signed a bill for the new and permanent site for Missouri's capital.

At the time, the location was a small wilderness trading post, chosen for its more central location in the new state.

An original name of "Missouriopolos" was considered by the state legislature before it became Jefferson City.

And named in honor of President Thomas Jefferson, who championed the Louisiana Purchase from which Missouri evolved.

GARY KREMER: So the official name of the city is the City of Jefferson.

A place he never saw.

A place he never came to.

There was no there there.

There were a few trappers and settlers there, but there was no city.

So like Washington DC, the City of Jefferson becomes a city created for one purpose, and that is the purpose of housing the state government.

The city is laid out in 1821, but it's five more years before there's enough there, there, to accommodate the legislature.

NARRATOR: Jefferson City is laid out in 1821, and incorporated in 1825.

Construction of the capitol would take place between 1823 and 1826.

On October 1, 1826, the Great Seal, previously adopted January 11, 1822, and all state records were moved to Jefferson City.

Tragically, the first capitol building was destroyed by fire in November of 1837.

A second one was completed in 1840, but it too was destroyed by fire after a lightning bolt struck the dome on February 5, 1911.

The present capitol was constructed between 1913 to 1917 on the former site, one that majestically overlooks the Missouri River.

Inside the current state capitol is a remarkable and musuem-quality collection of art.

Depicting Missouri history through paintings, and bronze and stone works.

Following the 1911 destruction of the capitol by fire, and as voters approved bonds funding reconstruction, significant tax monies were available and allocated to adorn the new statehouse.

A special commission was created, who hired some of America's most noteworthy artists.

The result being an absorbing and compelling display of paintings and sculptures.

And once celebrated as among the finest in any state capital.

Throughout its history, Missouri would have multiple amendments to its founding 1820 Constitution, with subsequent constitutional conventions occurring in 1865 and 1875.

And the state's present Constitution being drafted in 1942, and ratified in 1945.

One of the highlights of the 1945 Constitution being women now able to serve on Missouri juries, even though they already possess the right to vote, following passage of the 19th Amendment.

It's notable, that as early as 1867, the Missouri Woman's Suffrage Club was founded in St. Louis.

The first organization of its kind in the country.

And its sole purpose being to advance the rights of women to vote in elections.

When the 19th Amendment went into effect in 1920, Marie Byrum became the first woman in Missouri history to vote.

She was 26 and walked 15 miles in the rain to the polling site.

Immediately, women also became political leaders.

In 1921, Mayme Ousley was elected in the community of St. James as Missouri's first female mayor.

And in 1922, Mellcene Thurman Smith and Sarah Lucille Turner became the first female members of the Missouri legislature.

The state of Missouri historically enjoys a significant and interesting role in presidential elections.

BROOKS BLEVINS: But for many of years, especially in the 20th century, Missouri was known as a bellwether political state.

With only one exception between 1904 and 2004, the presidential candidate that the state of Missouri voted for was the person who won the election.

NARRATOR: On the national political stage, the state of Missouri has produced one president of the United States.

Born in Lamar, Missouri, Harry S. Truman-- his middle name being only the initial S, his parents unable to agree whether to name him after his paternal, or maternal grandfather-- was a plain-speaking and unassuming man who became America's 33rd president.

And serving during an unquestionably important and pivotal time in history that included World War II and the critical post-war years.

Prior to his presidency, he was a respected World War I veteran and army officer.

Later impacting as a member of the Pendergast Political Dynasty of Kansas City.

And serving as district judge in Jackson County, Missouri.

In 1934, he successfully ran for the US Senate and was re-elected in 1940.

JAMES GIGLIO: One of the key things that he did in that second term was to create a committee, the Truman committee, that investigated corruption through contracts that were made from business that sought to profit too much from the federal government.

Some $14 billion were saved as a consequence of that committee.

NARRATOR: Harry Truman was chosen to be President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's fourth term running mate because of his reputation and success as a US Senator.

On January 20, 1945, he was sworn in as vice-president, becoming president himself on April 12, 1945, following Roosevelt's sudden death in office.

JAMES GIGLIO: His involvement with Roosevelt was short.

It was only about three months.

NARRATOR: A heavy and unexpected weight was suddenly on the new president.

He was replacing a popular and beloved leader.

Someone who had led America through the Depression, and now through a World War.

And his conversations with Roosevelt had been limited, leaving him with little knowledge in crucial matters, including the Manhattan Project that would result in the development of an atomic bomb.

And perhaps, no one else has had the historical and unimaginable weight on his shoulders as when President Truman made the world-impacting decision to drop the Atomic Bomb on Japan, in an effort to end World War II.

JAMES GIGLIO: We have been the only country in the world to ever use the bomb in combat.

But nonetheless, from that particular time to, I think, even to today, most people who have read about it, including the scholars-- not all-- but most feel that Truman did the right thing.

That he had no choice but to do it at that time.

NARRATOR: Following Japan's September 2, 1945, surrender, the United Nations was formed on October 24.

With President Truman signature, the United States became the first nation to join the International Organization.

Reflecting an example and spirit of hope that would help settle disagreements between countries and encourage peace.

This was later tested between 1950 and 1953, with the Korean War.

President Harry Truman would be remembered for helping countries rebuild from World War II, and for impacting political policy such as the 1947 Truman Doctrine, and 1948 Marshall Plan.

And his efforts to help stabilize the world during the Cold War period.

Notably in July 1948, President Truman ended discrimination in the American armed forces.

Later resulting, during the Korean War, to an end to segregation in the US military.

Famously, in the 1948 elections, President Truman was elected to a second term.

A Newsweek poll of 50 political writers famously opined Truman's defeat by Republican candidate Thomas Dewey.

With The Chicago Daily Tribune and several newspapers prematurely, and inaccurately reporting the outcome.

Following his second term, President Truman returned to Missouri and his home in Independence, and began plans to construct a Presidential Library in his hometown.

JAMES GIGLIO: One of the contributions that Truman made in that period was deciding to construct a library.

NARRATOR: After raising construction costs, President Truman worked to ensure that the federal government would fund future maintenance of this national Presidential Library, that he also strongly helped to promote as an educational opportunity.

JAMES GIGLIO: That was an incentive for other presidents, subsequently, to do the same thing.

But he loved to walk to the library every morning.

And he loved to speak with students.

They were invited from grade school to high school and he would answer their questions.

That was a good part of the fun of being an ex-president, that he could educate.

NARRATOR: Missouri would continue a tradition of nationally impacting political leadership.

Many individuals, men and women of diverse ethnicity, accomplishment, and background have willingly stepped forward.

And have been elected to key positions and leadership in Missouri's political history.

Many of these individuals being groundbreaking-- the first of their gender or race to serve in their important roles.

An unquestioned and valued example to Missouri's people, and to the importance and responsibility of public office.

Individuals who embody and reflect the timeless values and characteristics of Missouri citizens.

These unique fellow Missourians have earned a place of respect and appreciation in our celebrated political history.

[music playing] ARTHUR MALLORY: When you take a look at the history of Missouri education-- there's a lot that happens.

NARRATOR: An early highlight would be the creation and success of one room schoolhouses that began during frontier times.

And remaining in operation in rural Missouri until 1957, when they became consolidated into a community school districts.

ARTHUR MALLORY: At the turn of the century in 1899, 1900, we had 10,599 school districts in the state of Missouri.

Now the reason I remember that is just a phenomenal figure.

10,599 school districts.

Most of them were one room rural schools.

One of the things that made it possible for them to do pretty well was the state superintendent of schools provided a course of study.

And the course of study was a program from first grade all the way through the eighth grade.

NARRATOR: These one room schoolhouses would also be popular centers for business meetings and community social gatherings.

Efforts and progress in higher education were also underway during these early years.

In 1839, the Missouri State General Assembly passed the Geyer Act, legislation, in part, that mandated a state university.

To promote access, the school would be located in the central part of the state and near the Missouri River.

The University of Missouri-- Mizzou-- was founded in 1839, becoming the first public university west of the Mississippi.

In addition to its strong academic heritage, the institution is also uniquely recognized for originating the now widely popular tradition of school Homecoming.

An annual celebration beginning in 1911, from an idea by Mizzou football coach and athletic director, Chester Brewer.

The campus is also home to the State Historical Society of Missouri and its efforts to collect, preserve, and promote Missouri's evolving history.

Other significant and notable education delivery methods had begun prior to the turn of the century, in response to Missouri's 1847 ban on education opportunities for Black people.

One that also prohibited them from gathering for independent Black religious services.

Pastor John Berry Meachum, a skilled carpenter and former enslaved person who had bought freedom for him and his wife, innovatively moved reading and writing classes he was teaching to a steamboat in federally owned waters on the Mississippi River-- away from state jurisdiction, or interference.

ARTHUR MALLORY: And he had about 300 children who were on his Floating Freedom Boat.

And they would get out there and then they couldn't be touched by the authorities in Missouri.

And that was a school.

And that was pretty creative.

Pretty innovative.

And pretty, pretty courageous for a man to do that.

NARRATOR: A former student of minister Meachum would have his own impacting legacy on Missouri education.

GARY KREMER: One of these young men was a man named James Milton Turner, who arguably becomes Missouri's most famous mid-nineteenth century political leader and educational leader.

NARRATOR: Following the Civil War, Missouri's 1865 Constitution included a provision for Black schools in the state.

GARY KREMER: But it's Turner who becomes the apostle for Black education in the state of Missouri.

And the Radical Republicans support that.

So in his travels around the state trying to establish black schools, Turner becomes aware of this crying need for Black teachers.

Simultaneously, a school has been established in Jefferson City, Missouri, called Lincoln Institute.

With funds raised by Black soldiers who fought in what were called United States Colored Infantry Regiments.

So the school starts in 1866.

And by the late 1860s, Turner wants to advocate for training Black teachers.

NARRATOR: Two additional, and exceedingly important educational opportunities were also occurring in Missouri during this decade.

Earlier in 1860, the Missouri School for the Blind in St. Louis adopted the French communication of braille.

Bringing it to America for the first time and encouraging today's widespread use.

A few short years later, in 1873, Missouri became the location of the first public kindergarten in America.

Founded in St. Louis by Susan Blow, who had earlier observed kindergarten classes in Germany.

She contributed her services for 11 years without pay.

And her legacy remains an important pillar of American education.

ARTHUR MALLORY: I think one of the most important pieces of legislation was the Constitution of 1875, in the state of Missouri.

The language in there is pretty nice.

Let me remind us.

"A general diffusion of knowledge and intelligence being essential to the preservation of the rights and liberties of the people, the General Assembly shall establish and maintain free public schools for their gratuitous instruction of the people of the state between the ages of 6 and 20 years."

Now that set up some pretty important guidelines.

It says that the state is responsible for education.

And it's important.

NARRATOR: Supporting this commitment to public education, the Missouri legislature established district Normal Schools, with the primary purpose being the education of public school teachers.

In 1870, Joseph Baldwin's private college in Kirksville-- today Truman State University-- became the first.

Followed the next year by present day University of Central Missouri.

Beginning as Normal School number two in 1871.

Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau was founded as the third district Normal School in 1873.

Missouri State University in Springfield, the second largest University in Missouri, was founded in 1905, as the fourth district Normal School, with 543 students beginning classes in 1906.

Early childhood education would be an extraordinarily impacting focus and national example.

ARTHUR MALLORY: What do we do about the fact that by the time we get a child in school, most of the isms that are going to last a lifetime, have already been established?

NARRATOR: In 1972, Mildred Winter, a strongly respected children's educator in the Ferguson-Florissant School District in St. Louis County, was hired as Missouri's first director of Early Childhood Education.

Leading research that resulted in the successful and worldwide parents as teachers program.

ARTHUR MALLORY: She got a lot of people excited about it.

She got a lot of people involved.

And in 1984, the state of Missouri developed-- had passed a law that the school district would be obliged to offer a program from birth, to three, to five years of age.

NARRATOR: Missouri educators and proponents would continue demonstrating innovative teaching methods and ideas.

Another groundbreaking program, and example for the rest of the country, was the establishment and inclusion of Special Education in schools, enacted and 1973.

ARTHUR MALLORY: We passed the House Bill 474, which is a special education requirement that every school district will offer programs to suit the needs of all the children, of all the people, regardless of their handicap and condition.

The General Assembly has taken some strong good acts.

And public education in the state of Missouri has thrived as a result.

[music playing] NARRATOR: The "3 Rs"-- not reading, writing or 'rithmatic-- but rather rivers, rails, and roads, and then later space flight, propelled Missouri's evolution and progress forward.

JON TAYLOR: The rivers where the highways for almost every individual that has set foot in what became Missouri.

NARRATOR: Missouri waterways were central to early settlement and exploration.

Steamboat access and travel would follow, encouraging commerce and population growth opportunities.

In 1817, the Zebulon M. Pike arrived in St. Louis, becoming the first steamboat above the mouth of the Ohio River to successfully navigate the Mississippi.

The Independence would soon depart St. Louis, initiating steamboat travel on the Missouri River.

The Missouri being the longest river in America.

Beginning in the Rocky Mountains and Western Montana, and traveling more than 2,300 miles before joining the Mississippi at St. Louis.

Where it forms the world's fourth longest river system on its way to the Gulf of Mexico.

A uniquely preserved and historic example of early steamboats is the sidewheeler, Arabia, that sank in the Missouri River in 1856, near Kansas City.

It was recovered in 1988, much of its contents still intact.

And, impressively, on display at the Arabia Museum in Kansas City.

The growing access and popularity of the iron horse, the railroads, would widely and internally link the country.

Arriving at destinations much quicker.

Opening up commerce and agriculture, and reducing riverboat trade and travel.

WILLIAM PISTON: You could have a small operation and still get your goods to market at a reasonable cost.

And if you had to move them by horse and wagon, you couldn't have made any profit.

NARRATOR: Beginning on February 23, 1859, the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad was the first to cross Missouri.

Connecting the northeast community of Hannibal and the northwest community of St. Joseph, the second and third largest cities prior to the Civil War.

Joseph Robidioux, a fur trader, originally filed a plat for the site of St. Joseph in 1843.

The location would become legendary as the birthplace of the heroic Pony Express in 1860.

When the mail system made its first run riding between St. Joseph and Sacramento, California.

An innovative and daring concept, the operation would deliver mail between Missouri and California in a record setting average of 10 days.

More than twice as fast as other overland methods.

The Pony Express, except for its enduring and adventuresome reputation, was short lived.

Ceasing operation after only 19 months, and becoming obsolete due to completion of the transcontinental telegraph line.

The Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad and Pony Express shared a special historical moment when delivery of the first letter to the Pony Express from a railway post office car occurred in 1860.

The railroad line would remain active throughout the Civil War.

Withstanding attacks by pro-Confederate bushwhackers.

The 1869 opening of the original Hannibal bridge, the first permanent rail bridge across the Missouri River, enabled Kansas City to grow into an important cattle hub between Chicago and Texas.

Closing in 1991, after 120 years of operation, the Kansas City stockyards and resulting industries will be forever a legacy of the city.

One of these enduring legacies is the reputation of Kansas City style barbecue.

Some of the most popular in America.

KC Barbecue traces its history back to Henry Perry, an African-American who for $0.25 an order, served his uniquely seasoned and slow cooked ribs from a trolley barn and wrapped in newsprint.

Connectivity brought about by the railroads and new communities from expanding and advancing populations, would in time pave the way for an impressive nationwide road system.

In 1891, automobiles would begin appearing in Missouri.

And with it, the need for locations where gasoline could be purchased.

Initially, this was done at businesses such as hardware stores and pharmacies.

But in 1905, St. Louis opened a Shell outlet, becoming the first purpose built gas station in the world.

In 1920, Missourians voted for a $60 million bond issue for road improvement.

In 1926, the Colonial Hotel in Springfield would become the birthplace of one of America's most well-known highways, Route 66.

The mother road.

Which connected the Midwest to the Pacific coast.

Along the way, helping create a roadside industry and economy of tourist attractions, restaurants, and motels.

And linking small town America to larger metropolitan centers.

The highway was championed by Springfield attorney and businessman, John T. Woodruff, who became the first president of the US Highway 66 Association.

Missouri Route 66 would be completely paved by 1931.

The highway would reflect a new spirit of travel and mobility for Americans.

A unique contribution to roadside culture, also originating from Springfield, would be the first drive-thru window and speaker system.

An invention by restaurant owner, Red Chaney, in 1946.

Missouri would lead the nation again in progressive road improvements in 1956.

Becoming the first state to award a contract and begin interstate highway construction work.

Following President Eisenhower's Federal Aid Highway Act.

At the time, the nation's greatest public works commitment.

Work would begin in Laclede County on a section of Route 66, which later became part of Interstate 44.

Missouri would also become the site of the first diverging diamond interchange in America.

Opening in 2009, in Springfield.

A traffic moving concept implemented for its safety, traffic flow, and cost effectiveness features.

The popular design and efficiency spread, and it's now in use in other states.

[horn blaring] NARRATOR: Missouri, and her military, would make enduring contributions during both war and peace.

World War I, sometimes referred to as the Great War, or "the war to end all wars" erupted in Europe in 1914.

With America officially entering the conflict on April 6, 1917, after maintaining a previously neutral position to the fighting with Germany and Europe.

Following attacks on American passenger and merchant ships in the Atlantic Ocean, President Wilson asked Congress for a declaration of war.

On June 26, US Infantry troops landed in France.

US Army general and Laclede, Missouri native, John J. Pershing, was chosen to command the American Expeditionary Force in Europe.

He immediately set up necessary training and supply programs.

American troops, along with British and French armies, were successful at forcing Germany to accept an armistice, ending the war on November 11, 1918.

Following the war, and in recognition of his service, General Pershing was promoted to General of the Armies in September of 1919.

Becoming Chief of Staff of the United States Army in 1921.

During World War I, Kansas City's Union Station served as the country's largest gathering point for American soldiers on their way to being shipped to France and combat.

The architecturally beautiful train station was completed in 1914.

Replacing the city's earlier Union Depot.

WILLIAM PISTON: And Union Station, which I've read more soldiers passed through Union Station-- going back and forth-- in World War I than any other place, even New York.

Through the Red Cross and other civic organizations, 24 hours a day, there were women in Union Station to meet the incoming trains.

To Take things if soldiers didn't have time to detrain, to hand them food, coffee, through the windows.

For those that could get out, to feed them there.

It was all organized by women.

Run by women.

And it represented just a tremendous effort.

It just stands as a shining example of how people in Missouri really wanted the soldiers to know, we appreciate what you're doing.

You have our support.

NARRATOR: The collective and proud "Kansas City Spirit" would be further demonstrated by the funding, and 1921 groundbreaking, for the city's Liberty Memorial.

More than 100,000 people, including President Calvin Coolidge, General Pershing, and other worldwide dignitaries attended the 1926 dedication of the evocative memorial.

Honoring men and women who served in World War I.

In 2004, an impressive expansion began to include an underground state of the art museum.

The new facility opened in 2006, and in 2014, Congress designated it as the National World War I Museum and Memorial.

America would be drawn into a World War and fighting in Europe again in 1941.

And another Missouri army general would provide extraordinary leadership.

General Omar Bradley, born near Clark, Missouri, would earn command of large Army infantry forces, and provide important strategy for the D-Day invasion of June 6, 1944.

A turning point toward World War II allied victory in Europe.

And the largest invasion of its kind in history.

General Bradley accompanied US forces in the battle.

His care and concern for his troops is legendary.

Deeply respected and beloved, he was known as the soldier's general.

An observation by well-known war correspondent, Ernie Pyle.

Additionally, future president, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, complimented General Bradley as "the master tactician of our forces" and America's foremost battle leader.

Following World War II, General Bradley's service to his country would continue as Administrator of Veterans Affairs.

And later, being selected as the first chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Missouri would be home to many military installations during World War II.

Among these would be O'Reilly General Hospital.

A long term care facility for wounded soldiers and center of pioneering orthopedic and reconstructive surgery.

Located in Springfield, the 160-acre site was known as the "hospital with a soul."

Another installation being Fort Leonard Wood created in 1940, near the town of St. Robert.

The base continues its original mission of training soldiers and engineers, as well as, chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear specialists.

Missouri would become a prominent and historic participant for the conclusion of World War II, and hopes of world peace with the surrender of Japan on September 2, 1945, in Tokyo Bay.

An armada of 300 American ships were present and formal surrender took place aboard the battleship USS Missouri.

Named for President Truman's home state and christened by his daughter, Margaret.

Following a short speech by General Douglas MacArthur, Japanese delegates, American military leaders, and other allied representatives formally signed surrender documents.

As formal ceremonies ended, American planes flew in formation overhead.

The "Mighty MO" was permanently decommissioned in 1992, after additional service during the Korean War, and later the Persian Gulf War.

She's presently moored as a Memorial and floating museum at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, where the World War II fighting with Japan began.

The tradition and service of Missouri named Naval vessels would remain prominent with the commissioning of a nuclear-powered fast attack submarine.

The fifth vessel named in honor of the state.

An especially poignant moment occurred when the newest USS Missouri arrived at Pearl Harbor in 2018.

Sailing past its historic predecessor, the World War II battleship, Missouri.

Continuing a prominent place in Missouri and military history, the state-of-the-art B-2 Spirit stealth bombers operate from Whiteman Air Force base near Knob Noster, Missouri.

The installation, formerly Sedalia Air Force Base, is named for Longwood, Missouri native, Lieutenant George Whiteman.

One of the first airmen killed at Pearl Harbor, as he gallantly engaged Japanese war planes.

The B-2 Spirit Bombers stationed at Whiteman Air Force Base, are at the forefront of American military technology and capability.

A reflection of American military readiness and accomplishment.

[music playing] Missouri would additionally extend its leadership and capabilities into many areas of our national culture.

In 1864, African-American George Washington Carver was born near Diamond, Missouri.

Later, a renowned scientist, educator, and inventor, he would become internationally known and respected for hundreds of discoveries using peanuts, sweet potatoes, and soybeans.

The George Washington Carver National Monument was founded by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1943.

Becoming the first national monument honoring an African-American and non-President.

Dr.

Carver remains strongly admired and relevant for his scientific contributions and enduring humanitarian example.

Osteopathy, a medical principle and practice, originated in Missouri in 1874, with Dr. Andrew Taylor Still.

His approach to health was more comprehensive and broad, believing that to treat or cure disease, the being of the whole body is considered.

An effort made to help improve and maintain health and natural ways.

Dr. still also promoted the education of female doctors to help serve female patients.

And founded the first osteopathic medical school in America in 1892, located in Kirksville.

McDonnell Aircraft Corporation, founded in 1939 and headquartered in St. Louis, became an aerospace industry leader well known for its military fighter planes.

And a principal partner in America's early space program building NASA's Mercury and Gemini space capsules.

In 1976, the company merged with Douglas Aircraft Company to become McDonnell-Douglas, merging with Boeing Aircraft in 1997.

The legacy of these companies continue as Boeing begins building the military's new F-15EX advanced fighter Jets in St. Louis.

Eagle Picher Technologies, located in Joplin, has been a longtime contributor to the success of the US space program.

Early on, helping power the historical Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and Skylab missions, as well as, the Hubble telescope, an International Space station.

Historically, the community of Neosho, for a time known as Space Town USA, was also an important partner in America's space program beginning in 1956.

Building engines as Rocketdyne and part of North American Aviation to lead world space exploration.

The facility was built on land that had formerly been the World War II Camp Crowder army base.

Missouri would again lead space exploration with NASA's 1990 launching of the Hubble Telescope.

Named in honor of Marshfield native, Edwin P. Hubble, who was recognized as one of the leading astronomers of the 20th century.

Among many accomplishments, Dr. Hubble provided great insight expanding previously limited thoughts of the universe.

His research proved that millions of galaxies exist beyond our own.

The Hubble telescope has been a versatile research tool, providing unique galactic information and iconic views.

Throughout the later 19th and early 20th centuries, Missouri was known worldwide for its lead mines and production.

Even today, being a location of some of the world's largest lead deposits.

Records show that mining began in the early 1720s by the French.

And still today, Missouri is the site of the country's largest primary lead smelter, and the world's largest secondary smelter.

Individual districts identified the location of these mines.

One of these, the Tri-State District, contributed to the growth and prominence of the city of Joplin and other nearby communities.

BRAD BELK: Well, mining transformed everything in the area.

Without mining, there's no central economy.

Mining brought people to the community and then, therefore then, it brought industries as well.

There's a lot of associated industries that were associated with the mining, so that it created this economy all the way from financing to surveyors, to mapmakers, to geologists.

It opened up a whole array of occupations.

So, therefore, the community could grow in that respect.

And Joplin, then, really became the hub center for the mining area.

NARRATOR: Work in the mines was hard, long, dark, and dangerous, and the underground mines vast in size.

BRAD BELK: And so we're talking city blocks, football fields in length.

And we're talking about millions, and millions, and millions of tons of ore and rough soil, et cetera.

Rock, that were brought up one shovel at a time.

And they put a rail system down below.

They filled the ore buckets up, pulled by mules, and they would bring them to the shaft.

And then once they were up the shaft, then the mining process down below was completed.

NARRATOR: The Tri-State Mining District was the world's leading producer of lead and zinc between 1875 and 1950, and ceasing production in the 1960s.

The Southeast Missouri Lead District remains a vibrant industry today.

As the Doe Run Company continues world-leading and responsible mining and metal production.

At times, Missouri would also be a world leader in manufacturing and productivity.

Anheuser-Busch began operation in St. Louis in 1857, and rose to be the largest brewery in the world.

Adolphus Busch became the first American Brewer to use pasteurization, allowing long distance shipping in the early 1870s.

And by the early 1880s, he also pioneered the use of refrigerated train cars.

By 1879, St. Louis had become a tobacco center as well.

BROOKS BLEVINS: The largest chewing tobacco company in the United States was located in St. Louis.

Most people don't realize that St. Louis was a major tobacco city.

Before the cigarette era came along, it was mainly a chewing tobacco city, but it was a major tobacco center.

Ligget & Myers was the name of the big company in St. Louis.

NARRATOR: Additionally, St. Louis was a worldwide and record setting shoe manufacturing center at the turn of the 20th century.

Some of the most well-known shoe manufacturers were located there.

Shipping 48 million pairs in 1906.

A robust garment industry was located in the city as well.

BROOKS BLEVINS: St. Louis had just started to become a major producer of clothing.

And heading into the 20th century, it would be one of the nation's big centers of garment production.

And a lot of those factories-- the same with the shoe factories-- the brain center, the headquarters, would be in St. Louis.

And then those factories would pop up all around the state of Missouri.

There were shoe factories all over Missouri.

There were garment factories all over Missouri by the middle of the 20th century.

NARRATOR: During these early 20th century years of extraordinary economic growth and impact, it's little surprise that St. Louis became the site of the legendary Louisiana Purchase Exposition.

More well known as the 1904 World's Fair.

Few events before, or since, have caught and sustained the world's imagination and interest.

The fair took place within the city's 1,300 acre Forest Park.

A setting larger than New York City's famed Central Park.

62 countries provided an extraordinary display of cultural and technological exhibits.

That promoted progress, and fostered increased understanding and peace between attending countries.

The opulence of the grounds was breathtaking.

And 20 million people were estimated to have attended between April 30 and December 1 of 1904.

Another international event, the 1904 Summer Olympic games also occurred in the city.

The first Olympic Games held in America.

And a first time gold, silver, and bronze medals were awarded.

651 athletes competed in 95 events.

With women only allowed to officially compete in archery.

The household food products, sliced bread, has a special connection to Chillicothe, and the Chillicothe Baking Company.

Where in 1928, machine sliced bread was sold for the first time in known history.

The sliced bread machine itself was invented by Otto Rohwedder, a friend of bakery owner Frank Bench.

The product was so unique and popular, that the expression, the greatest thing since sliced bread, enduringly entered our vocabulary.

Many world engaging Missourians would make enduring contributions.

Among these was former teacher and popular author, Laura Ingalls Wilder.

She and her family moved to Mansfield, Missouri in 1894.

With the encouragement of her daughter, Rose, a writer, Mrs. Wilder began at age 63 to write about her experiences growing up.

The result was the Little House on the Prairie series of books.

Beginning in 1932, and read and enjoyed by generations of young readers.

Over 60 million copies have been sold in more than 100 countries.

In addition to young people's literature, Missouri musicians and music have captivated the world.

Pianist, composer, and music teacher, Scott Joplin, settled in Sedalia in the 1890s.

Where he would perform, while also writing and publishing his own compositions.

One of these was "Maple Leaf Rag" in 1899.

This song in 1902's, "The Entertainer," helping propel ragtime popularity and making Scott Joplin an international name.

Additionally, he composed a ballet and two operas.

And decades after his death, he would be recognized with a Pulitzer Prize for his work.

An iconic and widely celebrated form of music from Missouri is Kansas City style jazz.

While difficult to determine when it first appeared, the 1920s are regarded as an important developing period.

The city's first jazz recording is said to be "Evil Mama Blues" in 1923.

During a height of popularity, more than 100 clubs showcased the iconic music, and provided audiences with an experience unique to other cities or music venues.

Well-known artists would frequently appear, and the music gave rise to new talents.

Such as famed Charlie "Bird" Parker, often credited with raising the awareness, appreciation, and popularity of this music form.

Today, still widely enjoyed and performed.

Charlie Parker would be recognized with many accolades, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

A third form of music with deep Missouri roots was popularized by St. Louis native, Chuck Berry.

Widely considered to be, the father of rock and roll.

His 1955 song, Maybellene, was his springboard that later resulted in many others, including Johnny B. Goode.

Over the years, his music has influenced and been recorded by many name artists, such as, Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, the Beatles, and the Rolling Stones.

In 1986, he became the first musician to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

[video playback] Crossroads of country music-- the Jewell theater in Springfield, Missouri.

It's time for the Ozark Jubilee.

Starring America's favorite country gentleman, Red Foley.

[end playback] NARRATOR: Music and broadcast history were made with the visionary Ozark Jubilee premiered on the ABC television network in 1955.

Affirming Springfield as originating the most television content outside of New York or Los Angeles broadcast centers at the time.

The program was also the first successful national television show to feature country music and comedy.

Showcasing established stars, up and coming artists, and local entertainers.

The live weekly program originating from Springfield and running until 1960, was hosted by Grand Ole Opry star, and country music Hall of Fame singer, Red Foley.

And attracted in-person audience members from across America.

Also, strongly contributing to the growing tourism industry in nearby Branson.

Along with imagination and vision, an amount of skill, determination, and bravery was required for Charles Lindbergh's record setting airplane flight in 1927.

Capturing the world's attention and soaring into aviation history, he became the first person to successfully pilot a plane nonstop across the Atlantic Ocean.

Leaving New York City and arriving in Paris 33 and 1/2 hours later, where he was welcomed by more than 150,000 enthusiastic people.

His achievement was reflected by the name of his plane, "The Spirit of St.

Louis."

A tribute to the belief and financial support of Missourians that made the historic flight a reality.

One of the most entertaining and remarkable demonstrations of imagination came from artist and entrepreneur, Walt Disney.

Famed creator of Mickey Mouse and many other beloved animated characters.

A resident of Marceline as a child, and later Kansas City, where inspiration for Mickey Mouse began.

Walt Disney grew up to envision and build the extraordinary Disneyland, and later, put in motion the plans that would become Walt Disney World Resort in 1971.

The influence of his Missouri roots clearly visible in the Magic Kingdom's Main Street USA, both drawing thematic inspiration from his youth in Marceline.

First and foremost, Disney enjoyed being an artist.

In 1936, his studio designed an early version of the present day UMKC mascot, Kasey the Kangaroo.

And in 1948, created the first Toys for Tots poster as a personal favor to the founders of the Marine Corps Annual Christmastime Campaign.

Walt Disney was in many ways a technology pioneer and an enduring contributor to American popular culture and recreation enjoyment.

As a film and television producer, he received an impressive 32 Oscars.

Along with both Golden Globe, and Emmy Awards, among many other notable recognitions.

Imagination challenged physical capability with two grand and inspiring construction projects.

Lake of the Ozarks, in Central Missouri, attracts record setting millions of visitors annually to the region.

The lake is the result of Bagnell Dam being constructed in 1931, for the purpose of generating electricity.

It's one of the largest man-made lakes in the country.

Extending over 55,000 acres and more than 150 miles of shoreline.

Gracefully gleaming against the St. Louis sky is Missouri's Gateway Arch.

Symbolic and inviting of Missouri being the earlier envisioned Gateway to the West.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt designated land in 1935 for construction.

And design for the monument began in 1947.

Work began in 1963, and was completed on October 28, 1965, as the remaining center portion was put into place.

By 1967, additional infrastructure allowed visitors to take a tram to the top.

It's been heralded as an engineering feat.

The tallest monument in the United States.

And, uniquely, the distance between the two legs at the base of the arch, is the same as its height, 630 feet.

The striking stainless steel design, originally known as the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, was renamed Gateway Arch National Park in 2008.

Both of these iconic and magnificent accomplishments enduringly represent Missouri vision and achievement.

Each in their way a physical reflection of the strength, spirit, and inspiration of the Show-Me State.

MARK TWAIN: Well, there's a representative story of our beloved state, Missouri.

Well, some folks affectionately want to say Missour(ah) just as I do.

But, correctly, it's Missour(ee).

Now this varied pronunciation is an example of the identity and pride that Missourians hold so dear.

That we celebrate.

Being unique and individual.

You have to show us.

We're called the "Show Me State," though this sobriquet is unofficial.

It's uncertain how this began but legend suggests that Missouri US Congressman Willard Duncan Vandiver declared during an 1899 speech, "frothy eloquence neither convinces nor satisfy me.

I'm from Missouri, you've got to show me."

Well, today, these words continue to reflect a resolute and common sense character of Missourians.

Our history is both our celebrated past, and our promising future.

JON TAYLOR: Missouri has such a rich tapestry of people and places.

And, I think, every Missourian needs to spend a little time to think about those complexities.

GARY KREMER: The place I grew up and the place Missouri is unique to me.

Because it is the location of my most meaningful experiences.

And I cannot separate the place from those experiences.

So, to me, being a Missourian is special.

I sometimes say that I'm an American by birth, but a Missourian by the grace of God.

MARK TWAIN: And no one can say we've had an insignificant or boring history, as we celebrate our bicentennial.

Our first 200 years.

Methuselah, you know who he was, right?

The longest lived man.

Well, Methuselah lived to be 969 years old.

And you boys and girls who are watching will see more in the next 50 years than Methuselah saw in his whole lifetime.

It's been enjoyable to have traveled through Missouri's history with you.

This last bit of advice from our journey, "20 years from now, you'll be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than the ones you did.

So throw away the bowlines.

Sail away from the safe harbor.

Catch the tradewinds in your sails.

Farewell, not goodbye."

[harmonica playing] [romantic folk-style melody] [romantic folk-style melody]