If you feel inclined to lounge on the lawn today, we encourage you to crack open a copy of ‘Leaves of Grass,’ the life’s work of American poet Walt Whitman, whose birthday is May 31. When ‘Leaves of Grass’ was first released in 1855 it was considered controversial for its imagery of sexuality among other wide-ranging topics. Expressed as a form of free verse without rhyme and with ever-changing meter and rhythm, Whitman’s style was highly personal, but also expansive, meant to reflect the limitless possibilities of Americans and the United States itself. He spent years revising and adding to the compilation of poems and today is regarded as one of the most important of American poets. He once said, "Keep your face always toward the sunshine—and shadows will fall behind you."
Leaves of Grass
Today in History
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‘Hello’ from zero degrees longitude
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Hezké svátky
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North Sea at sunset, Norddorf, Germany
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A horse of many colors
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Tracking ships on the Day of the Seafarer
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Old Town Quito
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It’s Art Deco Weekend in Miami
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Indigenous Peoples Day
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Here, fishy!
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Humpback whales in Maui, Hawaii
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It s harvest time on World Food Day
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Balloons and camels are two ways to catch a ride here
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Waiting for the perfect shot
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Acadia transformed
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Arrr! Can you talk like a pirate?
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World Book Day
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Brown bears, Katmai National Park and Preserve, Alaska
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Lavender fields on the Valensole Plateau in Provence, France
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International Museum Day
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Pearl of the Adriatic
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National Hispanic Heritage Month
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Gone ‘lightseeing’ in Berlin
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Get the bear facts
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Engineering an artificial harbor in Normandy
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Hawai i Volcanoes National Park at 106
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Cannes, France, in the spotlight
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Bear cubs roughhouse on Siblings Day
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Celebrate International Women’s Day
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Indigenous Peoples Day
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Irohazaka road