DLTK's Crafts for Kids
Julia Ward Howe's Birthday - May 27th, 1819
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Julia Ward Howe, little known today except as author of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," was famous in her lifetime as poet, essayist, lecturer, reformer and biographer. She worked to end slavery, helped to initiate the women's movement in many states, and organized for international peace-all at a time, she noted, "when to do so was a thankless office, involving public ridicule and private avoidance."
Julia Ward Howe was born in New York on May 27th, 1819. She had three older siblings and three younger siblings. Her father was a banker in New York City, so her family was quite wealthy and privileged. Sadly, her mother (who was a poet) passed away during childbirth when Julia was only 5 years old, so most of her childhood learning and experiences were guided by her aunt.
Julia Ward Howe loved poetry and was published under an anonymous name at twenty. She was friends with lots of other poets, authors, and artists like Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. It was actually on a trip with Longfellow that Howe met her husband Dr. Samuel Howe. They had very similar views about many huan rights issues and worked together to create a journal advocating for the abolition of slavery. Unfortunately, they did have differing views on women's rights, which led to increased strife in their marriage. Julia kept up her activism in many different spheres despite some of the tension with her husband, and actually ended up founding and running several Woman's Suffrage movements and associations such as the National american Woman's Suffrage Association.
Julia Ward Howe published many pieces of work from poems to essays to even a play! However, her most famous poem is called The Battle Hymn of the Republic, which was published in 1826 by Atlantic Monthly. It is considered the anthem for many human rights movements, most notably the Union's unofficial Civil War anthem. The Hymn was also sung at Julia Ward Howe's memorial service after her passing on October 17, 1910.
Below is Howe's most famous poem (The Battle Hymn of the Republic)and several crafts to go along with it. Choose a craft to do along with reading this poem and have a great time celebrating the birthday of Julia Ward Howe.
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Other Holidays You May Be Interested In:
- World Poetry Day – March 21st
- Poetry Reading Day – April 28th