Missouri Day is an observance in the

U.S. state In the United States, a state is a constituent political entity, of which there are 50. Bound together in a political union, each state holds governmental jurisdiction over a separate and defined geographic territory where it shares its sove ...

Missouri Missouri is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States. Ranking 21st in land area, it is bordered by eight states (tied for the most with Tennessee): Iowa to the north, Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee to the east, Arkansas t ...

, currently held on the third Wednesday in October. Originally on the first Monday in October, it was moved to the third Wednesday in 1969. Created by House Bill 122 in 1915, Missouri Day is set aside to "foster love for our state’s history and to teach rising generations of boys and girls the glories of Missouri." The inspiration for the day came from native Missourian and schoolteacher Anna Lee Brosius Korn. Having composed the former state song, "Missouri", she felt the state needed an entire day to recognize significant Missourians. Korn later, after moving to

Oklahoma Oklahoma (; Choctaw: ; chr, ᎣᎧᎳᎰᎹ, ''Okalahoma'' ) is a state in the South Central region of the United States, bordered by Texas on the south and west, Kansas on the north, Missouri on the northeast, Arkansas on the east, New ...

, founded Oklahoma Day as well as the Oklahoma

Hall of Fame A hall, wall, or walk of fame is a list of individuals, achievements, or other entities, usually chosen by a group of electors, to mark their excellence or fame in their field. In some cases, these halls of fame consist of actual halls or muse ...

. Though an established day, little observance is carried out in the state. While he was a

State Senator A state senator is a member of a state's senate in the bicameral legislature of 49 U.S. states, or a member of the unicameral Nebraska Legislature. Description A state senator is a member of an upper house in the bicameral legislatures of ...

, Jason Glennon Crowell had acknowledged that the day does not garner as much attention as days such as

Independence Day An independence day is an annual event commemorating the anniversary of a nation's independence or statehood, usually after ceasing to be a group or part of another nation or state, or more rarely after the end of a military occupation. Many ...

, and some in the state have become critical of its ambiguous October observance. For over a decade, activist F. Spencer Hunley has lobbied for a concrete date, May 8, President Harry S. Truman's birthday. During that time, the change has been proposed three times before the state legislature, failing to leave committee.

External links

Missouri symbols

Remembering Missouri Day:A column by Secretary of State Robin Carnahan
{{U.S. Holidays Missouri culture State holidays in the United States Holidays and observances by scheduling (nth weekday of the month) October observances