Josip Runjanin was a Croatian composer and conductor, born on April 8, 1821, in the town of Slavonski Brod. He is best known for composing the music for the Croatian national anthem, "Lijepa naša domovino" (Our Beautiful Homeland), which was first performed in 1846. Runjanin's work played a significant role in the cultural identity of Croatia during the 19th century. In addition to his contributions to music, Runjanin was also involved in the promotion of Croatian culture and language. He spent much of his life in Zagreb, where he worked as a conductor and music educator, influencing future generations of musicians in Croatia.