Commemorate.
Celebrate.
Inspire.

WQPT is proud to commemorate our nation's upcoming semiquincentennial with America 250—a new, year-long community initiative designed to reflect, inspire, and engage. In celebration of this, WQPT wants to know, "What is your Civic Spark?" It's not just a question, it's a challenge. Throughout the year, we hope viewers and residents will share what motivates them to make a difference in their community and volunteer alongside us as we work together with local nonprofit groups to make a positive impact.

Alongside in-person interaction, WQPT will broadcast and stream special content that reveals the history, culture, and values that have made the United States the country we cherish today.

It began with a new WQPT documentary: The 250th Anniversary of the Army, watchable online now. This engaging anthology revisits archival interviews as well as personal testimony of veterans.

"It has always been very important to us to share the history of our military as well as personal stories of veterans and those currently serving," commented Dawn Schmitt, WQPT General Manager.

This fall, we'll premiere  The American Revolution, a new six-part, twelve-hour documentary by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt. The documentary examines how America’s founding turned the world upside-down. It's an expansive look at the virtues and contradictions of the war and the birth of the United States of America, the film follows dozens of figures from a wide variety of backgrounds.

In September, WQPT will showcase a special screening of some of the program's choicest excerpts, followed by a panel discussion featuring the community and highlighting our area's unique distinction as the westernmost battlefield of the Revolution.

We're also introducing a new video series, Local Voices, where members of the local area answer the question: "What gives you your civic spark, and why do you want to give back to the community?" Episodes will be released every week on our YouTube channel.

Watch the premier episode.

We hope you'll join us as we celebrate our shared heritage and exchange visions of the future— together.