August 1

On August 1, 3 anniversaries fall in the history of the hymns in this library: Georg Weissel died in 1635; Francis Scott Key was born in 1779; Karl Johann Philipp Spitta was born in 1801.

Each date below is given only where two independent sources — Hymnary.org and Wikidata — agree on the year, and the day itself comes from Wikidata. Dates before the 1750s are given as they were recorded at the time, in the Old Style calendar where that was in use.

Georg Weissel, who died on this day in 1635, is remembered in this library for the hymn “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates”.

Francis Scott Key, who was born on this day in 1779, is remembered in this library for the hymns “O Say, Can You See (The Star-Spangled Banner)” and “Lord, With Glowing Heart I'd Praise Thee”.

Karl Johann Philipp Spitta, who was born on this day in 1801, is remembered in this library for the hymn “O Happy Home”.

Follow a name to read about the writer or composer and to sing their hymns, with the words, chords where we have them, and free accompaniment.