History Tells 'The Story Of Us'

History will chronicle the history of America as part of an ambitious, 12-part series set to debut in 2010.

Former Discovery network programming executive Jane Root will produce America: The Story Of Us, which will take an unprecedented look at the events that shaped America from the frontier to 21st Century cities, from the Mississippi to the moon, from Jamestown to 9/11, according to Nancy Dubuc, executive vice president and general manager of History.

The series, a lynchpin of the network's 2009-10 lineup, will link these key events, people and locations, to capture the vast sweep of American history.

"There has never been a time when people are thinking so fervently and passionately about History. Now is the moment to tell the most epic, essential and groundbreaking story of America in a new way for a new generation," said Dubuc in a statement. "America:The Story Of Us is not only the biggest project History has ever undertaken, it is the definitive event of the genre."

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.