Director of the Southeast Missouri State’s Center for Regional History and professor Dr. Adam Criblez was featured on Thursday night’s episode of “America: Facts vs. Fiction” on the American Heroes Channel.

The national cable program featured Criblez in two separate episodes, “Liberty, Leprechauns and Lounging” and “Moments That Changed History.”

The show, which is on its fifth season aims to tell the whole, sometimes more complex side of history that is often left out. This is something Criblez said is interesting and valuable for just about anyone, history buff or not.

“One thing that I really like about the show is that in some ways it does exactly what I try to do in my classes, which is to challenge preconceived notions or preconceptions about history.” Criblez said. When asked how the show relates to his class, he went further,“Here’s what you think you know about history and while some of that is true, that actual story is more interesting and maybe not as simple ... I try to use those teachable moments in class.”

Criblez received his master’s degree from Kent State University and then pursued a doctorate from Purdue University where he had a particular interest in the Fourth of July and the festivities around the holiday. Criblez is also the author of “Parading Patriotism: Independence Day Celebrations in the Urban Midwest, 1826-1876” which was published in 2013, reveals how Fourth of July celebrations in the urban Midwest between 1826 and 1876 were crucial for defining patriotism and what it meant to be an American.

This made him the perfect expert to add historical weight to the “Liberty, Leprechauns and Lounging” episode and even to influence some of the shows content.

Students interested in watching the episodes can do so anytime on the AHC GO app or, they are available to purchase on YouTube.