COLUMBIA, MO, Nov. 19, 2020 – Missouri 2021 is rolling out a new virtual program series that focuses on the programs and events happening in Missouri to commemorate the state’s 200th anniversary of statehood. Leading up to the Aug. 10, 2021, anniversary day of statehood, Missouri 2021 invites the public to take part in live programming on Zoom the first Tuesdays at 11 a.m. beginning December 2020, through July 2021. Each month will feature a different subject with guests from the more than 100 local, regional and statewide projects and events.

The first program Dec. 1, 11, a.m., will feature a preview of activities planned for Missouri’s bicentennial year. At this time, events are being planned in person, as well as virtual and hybrid formats depending upon the public’s safety during the pandemic. Michael Sweeney, coordinator of Missouri 2021 will give an overview of the projects and events across the state to commemorate Missouri’s 200th birthday.

“There are many exciting projects and events already being planned next year, along with new projects that will soon be announced,” said Sweeney. “It’s a wonderful way for Missourians to come together to showcase the vast geographic and cultural diversity of the state while celebrating the similarities that bring us together.”

A special prize give-away of Missouri bicentennial promotional items will be given out to persons who register for the free, virtual program. To register for Missouri 2021 Presents: First Tuesdays at 11 a.m. visit https://shsmo.org/events/2020/mo2021-presents-dec Registration is required.

The mission of Missouri 2021 is to promote a better understanding of Missouri and its regions, communities and people, both past and present. The Missouri Bicentennial provides opportunities for citizens to celebrate, explore, and share perspectives on the state’s rich history and culture. For more information on Missouri’s bicentennial, visit missouri2021.org.

COLUMBIA, MISSOURI, Sept. 29, 2020 – Missouri students in grades 3-12 have until Oct. 31. 2020 to submit their poster design to commemorate Missouri’s bicentennial in 2021. Judges representing the Missouri Bicentennial Commission will select four posters to commemorate Missouri’s bicentennial of statehood. Selected posters will best interpret the theme: Sharing Missouri’s stories: past, present and future.

Each student entry must be sponsored by an eligible institution, which includes public and private schools, home-school networks, nonprofit arts agencies, cultural heritage institutions and public libraries. The commission welcomes sponsoring organizations to help facilitate the contest while some students are learning remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Complete guidelines and the online submission form can be found at missouri2021.org/bicentennial-poster.

Judges will select four final designs including two from grades 3-6 and two from grades 7-12. Each winner will receive $200 and will be recognized at the poster unveiling ceremony. The Bicentennial Commission is partnering with Hallmark Creative Marketing Studio to develop the selected posters into their final format.

Vinnorma Shaw’s 1921 poster for the Missouri Centennial Exposition at the Missouri State Fair is an iconic reminder of the Missouri Centennial commemoration. Likewise, the final designs chosen by the Missouri Bicentennial Commission will serve as a lasting reminder of the bicentennial. Students, teachers, and parents can find educational materials related to the centennial poster at the website for the Bicentennial Poster page.

Missouri 2021 is a statewide initiative of the State Historical Society of Missouri to promote a better understanding of Missouri and its regions, communities and people, both past and present. Keep updated on all Missouri 2021 happenings at missouri2021.org and by following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @missouri2021.

Missouri 2021 is excited to announce that the Missouri State Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (MSSDAR) as the newest member of the Bicentennial Alliance. MSSDAR will offer a new and diverse audience who are passionate about sharing Missouri’s history and eager to make a difference for the future of the state. MSSDAR will play an important role in assisting the State Historical Society of Missouri and other Alliance members with Missouri Bicentennial celebrations.

“MSSDAR is thrilled to partner with Missouri 2021,” said Joan Magee, State Regent of MSSDAR. “ Since its founding in 1894, MSSDAR has had a long commitment in service to our great state. Arrow Rock State Historical Site (the Old Tavern) resulted from the DAR’s efforts to preserve the old tavern. Today, Missouri DAR owns and maintains Cold Water Cemetery, the oldest Protestant cemetery west of the Mississippi, located in Florissant, MO. Patriots who fought in our wars have been buried in Cold Water Cemetery—among them are heroes from not only the American Revolutionary War but every American War, including the War of 1812, WWI and WWII.”

MSSDAR participation in the Bicentennial will include identifying and documenting quality activities throughout the state such as events at the Madonna of the Trail, Cold Water Cemetery, Arrow Rock, and Rosyln Heights.

“Missouri Daughters have been marking historical trails and sites since the early 1900s as a way of preserving our rich Missouri history,” said Caroline Greene, MSSDAR State Historian. “The Madonna of the Trail monument, located in Lexington, MO, is one of twelve identical statues dedicated to pioneer women in the United States, marking the historic National Old Trails Road from Cumberland, Maryland, to Upland, California.”

Additionally, the organization provides annual education scholarships, recognizes outstanding Missouri teachers and local high school ROTC chapters, supports local veterans’ homes, as well as cleans and marks historic trails.

 “DAR’s commitment to preserving and celebrating history makes them an exceptional partner for this commemoration,” said Bicentennial Coordinator, Michael Sweeney.

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to promote historic preservation, education and patriotism. Its members are descended from the patriots who won American independence during the Revolutionary War. With more than 185,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR is one of the world’s largest and most active service organizations. DAR members are committed to volunteer service having served more than 12.5 million hours in communities throughout the world during the past three years. To learn more about the work of MSSDAR, visit www.MSSDAR.org or connect with DAR on social media on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube – @TodaysDAR.

The Bicentennial Alliance is a coalition of statewide non-profit organizations and government agencies working together to develop and promote statewide projects commemorating the Missouri Bicentennial. Learn more about the Bicentennial Alliance and the bicentennial at https://missouri2021.org/bicentennial-alliance

Missouri 2021 is excited to announce Missouri State University as the newest member of the Bicentennial Alliance. MSU brings new supporters for Missouri’s Bicentennial, including higher education faculty, staff, and students from across Missouri and the United States. 

“Missouri State University is honored to partner with the Bicentennial Alliance to celebrate our past, present and future,” said Lori Fan, Executive Director of Alumni Relations

Founded in 1905 as the Fourth District Normal School, Missouri State University (MSU) has played a significant role in the state’s progress, innovation, and creativity. To commemorate the Missouri Bicentennial, MSU will host a series of publicly available webinars beginning January 2021 to explore and contemplate what’s next for our state. Missouri and MSU: A shared past. A vision for the future. will examine topics important to the growth of Missouri – including agriculture, diversity and inclusion, education trends, health care, Missouri caves, and technology – and explore how MSU and its partners will have an effect on the state today, tomorrow and for decades to come.

Missouri State University is a public, comprehensive metropolitan system with a statewide mission in public affairs, whose purpose is to develop educated persons. The university’s identity is distinguished by its public affairs mission, which entails a campus-wide commitment to foster expertise and responsibility in ethical leadership, cultural competence, and community engagement.

The Bicentennial Alliance is a coalition of statewide non-profit organizations and government agencies working together to develop and promote statewide projects commemorating the Missouri Bicentennial.

COLUMBIA, MO, June 12, 2020 — To commemorate the 200^th anniversary of the first Missouri Constitutional Convention, the Supreme Court of Missouri’s bicentennial committee, in partnership with Missouri 2021, created two quizzes highlighting the importance of the Missouri Constitution to the lives of Missourians.

On June 12, 1820, delegates from across the territory of Missouri gathered in St. Louis to develop Missouri’s first constitution. After nearly six weeks, on July 19, 1820, the delegates adopted a constitution, taking another critical step toward Missouri statehood.

Two quizzes are available: one quiz is designed for students and the other quiz, with increased difficulty, is for adults. Missourians of all ages are encouraged to test their knowledge of the Missouri Constitution from June 12 through July 19, mirroring the period of the first Missouri Constitutional Convention. The quizzes can be taken multiple times and no personal information will be collected. The quizzes are available on the Missouri 2021 website – missouri2021.org/missouri-constitution-quiz.

Missouri Supreme Court Judge Mary R. Russell assisted in developing questions for the quiz, which range from the structure of government created by the first constitution to amendments passed by voters in recent times.

“As we prepare to celebrate Missouri’s Bicentennial next year, we are reminded that a constitution had to be written before we could become a state,” said Judge Russell. “It was 200 years ago next month that the first Missouri Constitution was adopted. Over the years, this document and its successors have reflected the will of Missourians about how to check and balance the powers of their three equal branches of government while guaranteeing the fundamental rights of the people. In contrast with our federal constitution, the people have made multiple amendments to Missouri’s constitution over time, ensuring the supreme law in our state remains relevant in our daily lives.”

A native of Hannibal, Judge Russell served nearly a decade on the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District, before her September 2004 appointment to the Supreme Court of Missouri where she is one of seven judges. She served as the state’s chief justice from July 2013 through June 2015. Judge Russell is also a member of the Missouri Bicentennial Commission, which has been tasked with assisting the State Historical Society of Missouri to plan for and implement the commemoration of the Missouri bicentennial.

The State Historical Society of Missouri is the premier research center for the study of Missouri state and local history. Under the Missouri 2021 banner, SHSMO is coordinating a bicentennial commemoration in collaboration with local and statewide entities. The mission of Missouri 2021 is to promote a better understanding of Missouri and its regions, communities and people, both past and present.

Missouri 2021 is excited to announce Missouri Alliance for Arts Education (MAAE) as the newest member of the Bicentennial Alliance. MAAE brings new supporters for Missouri’s Bicentennial, including arts educators and their students across Missouri. Now the observance of the 200th anniversary of Missouri’s statehood can add the power of some of the most creative students from around the state and their dedicated teachers to assist with finding unique and meaningful ways to promote the 2021 commemoration.

Already the Missouri Art Education Association, a long-time member of MAAE, has announced that its annual coloring book project for elementary students will be devoted to the bicentennial. Theatre instructors are discussing a playwriting contest for their students to find the best student-written short plays that best display Missouri’s past two hundred years and cast a vision for its future.

To kick off 2021, Missouri’s select All-State Choir will perform a piece by a Missouri composer. The Missouri Dance Organization is exploring how movement can help us express all that it means to be a citizen of our great state. Many other observances of the Bicentennial by Missouri students are also in the planning stages at both the state and local level.  Contact your local school district for more information.

MAAE is already planning for next spring’s annual Fine Arts Education Day at the Missouri State Capitol. This day will serve as a tribute to the impressive artistic history throughout our state.

“What better way to celebrate the 200-year history of our state than to hear from the young people who will have such a major impact on its future as well?” said Jeff Sandquist, chair of the Missouri Alliance for Arts Education.

MAAE is an alliance of Missouri’s professional arts educator organizations and their supporters. The organization’s mission is to support, promote, and advocate for fine arts education for the benefit of all Missourians. This is exemplified in its motto, “Every School, Every Student, Every Day.”

Over the years, MAAE has advocated for a central role for arts instruction in a student’s schooling. This advocacy was based on the growing body of evidence that identifies study in the arts as a key factor in many students’ success. In recent years, MAAE has successfully worked with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to overhaul the Arts Education Learning Standards and promote the expanding field of arts integration as an important way to reach all children in subjects as diverse as history and computer technology.

“The Arts holds incredible promise as a means to open up new skills and knowledge for even the most reluctant of learners,” said Ben Martin, executive director of the Missouri Alliance for Arts Education.

The Bicentennial Alliance is a coalition of statewide non-profit organizations and government agencies working together to develop and promote statewide projects commemorating the Missouri Bicentennial. Please visit missouri2021.org to learn how you can be involved in or support what promises to be a year full of celebration and commemoration. To learn more about Missouri Alliance for Arts Education, you may visit its website at moaae.org.