A Colorado-Based 1970s Miniseries Echoes an Unfortunate Past

The United States has plenty of dark pages in the history book that we'd rather forget, but as the old adage goes, we mustn't forget lest we risk repeating it.

Colorado is no different, although many of these unfortunate events took place either prior to its statehood or just following its becoming a state.

In case you're not familiar, there is a fictional book titled, "Centennial" that depicts some of these troubling events in the form of stories that are based on many of the true events that took place in Colorado's infancy.

However, any high schooler tasked with writing a book report will tell you that it's much easier to watch the movie, so let's take a look at the 1978 miniseries of the same name and how it relates to Colorado's actual history.

1978 Miniseries Based on True Colorado Events

Centennial was first released on NBC back in 1978 with a total of 12 episodes. It featured big names like Andy Griffith, Merle Haggard, and Mark Harmon, though none of these famous men played the main characters.

The miniseries tells stories of unrest between the Native Americans and white settlers which culminated in what was the real-life Sand Creek Massacre. 

Centennial also sees Colorado join the Civil War, receive statehood in 1876, and tells stories of murder, conflict, mining, The Dust Bowl, and other real-life events in the form of fictional subplots.

While the story isn't a work of non-fiction, it follows true events of Colorado's troubled past so closely that it not only serves as a relatable representation of these unfortunate events but a sobering reminder of how they should never be repeated.