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‘Rush Limbaugh Day’ Nixed in Missouri

BY May 19, 2021

He may have received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, but it looks like that’s where the accolades might begin and end for the late Rush Limbaugh. Right-wing activists in Limbaugh’s home state of Missouri had been advocated for his birthday, January 12th, to be named in the controversial talk radio host’s honor, but the idea has now been scrapped thanks to Limbaugh’s extensive history of hate speech.

The push to create ‘Rush Limbaugh Day’ died quietly on the last day of the recent legislative session when lawmakers gave final approval to a bill that now leaves out mention of the late conservative radio host. Democrats, frequent targets of Limbaugh’s commentary, strongly opposed honoring the Cape Girardeau native, citing what they said was his long record of racist, misogynistic, and homophobic comments.

WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 04: Radio personality Rush Limbaugh reacts as First Lady Melania Trump gives him the Presidential Medal of Freedom during the State of the Union address in the chamber of the U.S. House of Representatives on February 04, 2020 in Washington, DC. President Trump delivers his third State of the Union to the nation the night before the U.S. Senate is set to vote in his impeachment trial. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

House Republicans approved “Rush Limbaugh Day” this month immediately after rejecting “Walter Cronkite Day,” for the St. Joseph-born journalist who hosted the “CBS Evening News.”

For many years, Limbaugh often bragged that he had “formerly nicotine-stained fingers”, and downplayed and denied the dangers of cigarette smoking, vigorously defending the tobacco industry while ranting against smoking bans in public places. The former heavy cigarette smoker who continued to smoke cigars was only 70 when he died of lung cancer in February.

Instead of honoring Limbaugh, the state legislature recognized other Missouri natives, designating March 26 as “Pioneering Black Women’s Day” to honor former state Sen. Gwen Giles, the first Black woman state senator in Missouri. Other state designations include making April “Limb Loss Awareness Month,” the first Friday in May “Law Enforcement Appreciation Day,” Aug. 31 “Random Acts of Kindness Day,” and Nov. 30 “Mark Twain Day.”



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