This sweeping 4-part series celebrating the Mississippi uses the river's course to chart great moments in its history, culture, and romance.

Life on the river was rocked by dramatic change throughout the 19th century as seeds of conflict took root in the race to move the harvests of northern farmers and southern planters.

The Civil War unfolds along this river of vital importance to both sides. After Yankee gunboats captured New Orleans, they moved up river, burning and blockading southern towns.

Rapid changes after the Civil War continued as the South went through Reconstruction and the river's banks gave birth to the blues as freed slaves fled to the industrialized North. Propeller-driven craft and improved railways signaled a new age.

Battles over access to lakefront property have made the Great Lakes region the most contested land on the entire map, and even pushed the states to a border war.

Nearly every state has pulled a power play that changed the map.

Did money make our map? Through boom and through bust, the sweet smell of profit has drawn and redrawn our states. How did Green Bay help carve our border with Canada?

From canals to trains and cars, how did getting around help draw the American map?

How did the most rebellious states took shape?

This sweeping 4-part series celebrating the Mississippi uses the river's course to chart great moments in its history, culture, and romance.

Life on the river was rocked by dramatic change throughout the 19th century as seeds of conflict took root in the race to move the harvests of northern farmers and southern planters.

The Civil War unfolds along this river of vital importance to both sides. After Yankee gunboats captured New Orleans, they moved up river, burning and blockading southern towns.

Rapid changes after the Civil War continued as the South went through Reconstruction and the river's banks gave birth to the blues as freed slaves fled to the industrialized North. Propeller-driven craft and improved railways signaled a new age.

Battles over access to lakefront property have made the Great Lakes region the most contested land on the entire map, and even pushed the states to a border war.

Nearly every state has pulled a power play that changed the map.

Did money make our map? Through boom and through bust, the sweet smell of profit has drawn and redrawn our states. How did Green Bay help carve our border with Canada?

From canals to trains and cars, how did getting around help draw the American map?

How did the most rebellious states took shape?

This sweeping 4-part series celebrating the Mississippi uses the river's course to chart great moments in its history, culture, and romance.

Life on the river was rocked by dramatic change throughout the 19th century as seeds of conflict took root in the race to move the harvests of northern farmers and southern planters.

The Civil War unfolds along this river of vital importance to both sides. After Yankee gunboats captured New Orleans, they moved up river, burning and blockading southern towns.

Rapid changes after the Civil War continued as the South went through Reconstruction and the river's banks gave birth to the blues as freed slaves fled to the industrialized North. Propeller-driven craft and improved railways signaled a new age.

Battles over access to lakefront property have made the Great Lakes region the most contested land on the entire map, and even pushed the states to a border war.

Nearly every state has pulled a power play that changed the map.

Did money make our map? Through boom and through bust, the sweet smell of profit has drawn and redrawn our states. How did Green Bay help carve our border with Canada?

From canals to trains and cars, how did getting around help draw the American map?

How did the most rebellious states took shape?