In 1855 poet Walt Whitman’s best-known work is published
Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass was first published on this day in 1855.
The poet’s best-known work is often cited by scholars as reflecting themes of same-sex attraction. Around 1850, Whitman began writing what would become Leaves of Grass, a collection of poems that he continued to edit and revise until his death in 1892.
He self-published the collection, which was met with a mix of acclaim and criticism upon its release.
Born in 1819, Whitman is regarded as one of the most influential American poets and is often considered the father of free verse.
America the Beautiful is first published
In 1895, the poem America the Beautiful was first published. Written by Katherine Lee Bates, the original poem was simply titled America. The verses were later paired with music composed by church organist Samuel A Ward, with the version most familiar today taking shape in the early 20th century.
Despite creating one of America’s most patriotic songs, Bates and Ward never met.
Bates later became a Professor of English Literature at Wellesley College in Massachusetts, where she lived with her close friend and companion Katherine Coman. Some historians have suggested that their correspondence reflects a deeply intimate relationship, while others describe it as a ‘Boston marriage’, indicating a committed but potentially platonic partnership.
The first Dykes on Bikes group is formed in San Francisco in 1976
The very first Dykes on Bikes group formed on this day in San Francisco. A small group of women came together to lead the San Francisco Pride Parade in 1976. Unbeknownst to them, they were starting a tradition that would spread around the globe.
A reporter later picked up the phrase “Dykes on Bikes” from one of the participants and used it in a report in the San Francisco Chronicle. Since then, groups have formed all over the world and regularly lead Pride marches, including a local chapter here in Perth.
OIP Staff, This post was first published in 2021 and has been updated.
