October 21

On October 21, 2 anniversaries fall in the history of the hymns in this library: Samuel Francis Smith was born in 1808; H. L. Hastings died in 1899.

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.

Samuel Francis Smith, who was born on this day in 1808, is remembered in this library for the hymns “My Country, 'Tis of Thee”, “The Morning Light is Breaking” and “Today the Savior Calls”.

H. L. Hastings, who died on this day in 1899, is remembered in this library for the hymn “The Bright Forever”.

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.