Songwriters Hall of FameInducted 1970

October 7 - William Billings is born in Boston, Massachusetts

Billings begins teaching a singing class in Stoughton Massachusetts which would later become the Stoughton Musical Society (America's oldest music society and first singing school).

Publishes the New England Psalm-Singer (a.k.a. American Chorister). The songbook was the first collection of music completely written by an American.

Publishes The Singing Master's Assistant

A strong advocate of the American Revolution, Billings adapts many of his hymns as war songs with new lyrics. The most successful of these is "Chester" which becomes America's first war song and an anthem for the Patriots.

Publishes Music in Miniature

September 26 - Billings dies in Boston, MA.