Today in American history…Julia Ward Howe was born on May 27, 1819 in New York City. She was an American poet and author who wrote the lyrics to The Battle Hymn of the Republic which was first published in The Atlantic Monthly in February 1862.

She was inspired to write the lyrics to The Battle Hymn of the Republic after meeting President Lincoln at The White House in November 1861. The song was inspired by the popular song “John Brown’s Body” and she changed the lyrics that were set to the music of William Steffe.