Watch and Listen

The Declaration means more to those escaping oppression than many who were born in the US.

It's there so why not take a drive across it?

Less than 1,000 historic covered bridges still exist in America and I found one in Spencerville, Indiana.

Driving through rural America is good for the soul.

Time to find out if this old hand pump works!

A cabin that served as a stop on the underground railroad for runaway slaves headed north to Michigan or Canada. This home was owned by Jimmy and Rachel Silliven and served as inspiration for Uncle Tom's cabin.

While I didn't get inside, the view from the front as it faces towards the Soldiers and Sailors Monument is pretty awesome.

The Declaration of Independence publicly listed 27 specific grievances directed at King George III.

The Illinois Central Railroad Water Tower and Pump House located in Kinmundy, Illinois has been standing here since 1885....the first year President Grover Cleveland was in office.

Just 4 months before The Beatles were on The Ed Sullivan Show set to conquer the American pop culture and music world, George Harrison visited Benton, Illinois in September 1963.

In a very unassuming spot deep inside a neighborhood, one of the most memorable debates in American history took place between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas

Fireworks in front of me. Train behind. And I'm....stuck in the middle with you.

The finale for the Cape Girardeau, Missouri fireworks was spectacular.

Cape Girardeau pulled off one of the most memorable 4th of July fireworks shows I've seen in my 50 years of celebrating America. Sure, the Mississippi River as a backdrop helps, but I'm telling you, this show was long and very intense. So awesome!

Here's the exact spot Cape Girardeau began....on a rock that juts into the Mississippi River!

In 1776, The Declaration was a profound document. Here's why...

Trail of Tears State Park in Missouri looking east toward Illinois.

The corn crop in southeast Missouri is looking great here on July 4th, 2026

VFW Post 3838 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri made this little drive in a local park memorable.

In 1776, The Declaration was not only a message from America to the king but to the entire world.

Forts A, B, C and D were built to defend Cape Girardeau, Missouri during the US Civil War. The other three forts have disappeared with time, but Fort D remains.

A crafty Union general dug a canal through a buried forest (created from the violent earthquake 50 years before?) to sail his ships out of sight of the Confederates holding an island to his south near New Madrid, Missouri.

8.8 earthquake (estimated) and a series of similarly violent quakes struck New Madrid, Missouri between December 1811-March 1812. Around 10,000 quakes/tremors Around 2,000 moderate quakes 110 were estimated 5.0 or anove 5 were roughly 8.0 - 8.8

Meet Nancy Hart and her genius ways of handling British soldiers and their loyalists allies! (There needs to be a movie about this woman!)