The State Historical Society of Missouri commemorates the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration with a variety of programs for all ages. Join us for lectures, podcasts, contests, webinars, and live performances in 2026. Below are projects sponsored or in partnership with SHSMO. We will update this page as additional events are confirmed, so check back here, often!
Origins: A Reflection on Missouri at 250 & Beyond
Our Missouri, a podcast produced by the State Historical Society of Missouri, is offering listeners a new 20-episode series, Origins: A Reflection on Missouri at 250 & Beyond, to commemorate the U.S. semiquincentennial. From the first people to arrive at the land now called Missouri, to the efforts to bring it into the Union as the 24th state, this series, hosted by Sean Rost, examines major moments in the years prior to statehood as well as Missouri’s complex history in relation to the United States’ 250th. New episodes are posted twice a month. Subscribe to My Missouri on Apple Podcasts and Stitcher.
Take a listen to the first episode, Indigenous Missourians, with author and historian Greg Olson.
Global 250 Lecture Series
SHSMO is partnering with the Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy at the University of Missouri for a series of lectures in January through May, reflecting on America’s 250th from a global perspective. The lectures are held at Tiger Hotel in Columbia, Mo. and also livestreamed on the Kinder Institute’s Facebook page and YouTube. The recordings are available for later viewing on Kinder's YouTube page. The global lectures are free and open to the public.
Check out our events page to learn more and to register. Visit the Kinder Institute for further details on US at 250.
Reflections of 250: Celebrating America’s Past Through Oral Histories
University of Missouri students (ASH Scholars) conducted a series of interviews in 2025 with elected officials, educators, and the citizens to get Missourians’ thoughts on American history from the present day. The oral histories will be part of a new podcast produced by the Kinder Institute. On Feb. 25, at 1 p.m., the public is invited to join a live webinar moderated by Sean Rost, assistant director, research, at the State Historical Society of Missouri. Rost will be in conversation with the students about the process of doing oral history and other projects they are working on for the semiquincentennial. The panelists will also be joined by Doug Genens, SHSMO oral historian. The interviews will be donated to the oral history program at SHSMO. Register here for the webinar.
Southeast Missouri Roots & Branches of the American Revolution
Cape Girardeau Research Center coordinator Bill Eddleman writes a monthly column in the Southeast Missourian on the Revolutionary War veterans who settled in the Cape Girardeau area. In addition, Eddleman is the host of a popular 19-episode Basic Genealogy web series, produced by SHSMO, and recorded live on Zoom and available for later viewing On Demand. Eddleman recently hosted the 19th episode “Documenting Your Revolutionary War Ancestor,” which is available to view anytime.
National History Day in Missouri
A huge thank you to the America 250 Missouri Commission for providing a grant for our National History Day students in Missouri to receive a pocketbook featuring the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence. The book, published by Liberty Lives Forever, based in St. Charles, Mo. is being distributed to NHD students at the regional contests in early 2026. This year’s contest theme, Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History, coincides with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Learn more about Missouri History Day, which involves students in grades 6 through 12 who compete at local, regional, state, and national contests each year. Volunteer judges are always needed and appreciated.
Missouri Civics Bee
In 2025, the inaugural Missouri Civics Bee kicked off at SHSMO’s Center for Missouri Studies in Columbia, as part of the annual national contest to engage students in civics and contribute to their communities. The 2026 contest will be held in August at the Center for Missouri Studies. The National Civics Bee launched in 2022 with the goal of bringing the contest to each state by the semiquincentennial. Missouri's contest is sponsored by the MU Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy in partnership with Google, the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, and the State Historical Society of Missouri. Learn more about Missouri Civics Bee.
America 250 Missouri Commission
The State Historical Society of Missouri is represented on the America 250 Missouri Commission, which is planning and promoting statewide programs, events and projects throughout 2026. To learn more about what’s happening around the state, visit showme250.mo.gov.