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Get ready to celebrate your love for poetry on April 28 with Great Poetry Reading Day! This day is all about honoring the beauty and depth of poetry, which has been a cherished form of expression for centuries. From Shakespeare's sonnets to Maya Angelou's powerful words, poetry has the ability to evoke emotions and inspire us in ways that no other form of writing can. It's also a great opportunity to discover new poets and share your favorite verses with others. So grab a book or scroll through some poems online, and let the magic of words take you on a journey.
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1770</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>William Wordsworth Birth</div><div class='timeline-text'>Famous poet William Wordsworth, known for his love for nature and simple language, is born. His work continues to be read on Great Poetry Reading Day.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1809</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Edgar Allan Poe Birth</div><div class='timeline-text'>American writer and poet Edgar Allan Poe is born. His famous work "The Raven" is often shared during Great Poetry Reading Day.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1888</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>"Leaves of Grass" Final Edition</div><div class='timeline-text'>Walt Whitman publishes the final edition of "Leaves of Grass", a collection of his poems that becomes a favorite for Great Poetry Reading Day.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1969</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Maya Angelou's "I Know"</div><div class='timeline-text'>Maya Angelou publishes her influential poem "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings", now considered a staple of Great Poetry Reading Day.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1996</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Great Poetry Reading Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>The first Great Poetry Reading Day is celebrated, encouraging people to read, write, and appreciate poetry.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a poetry reading night</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Invite friends and family over for a poetry reading night. Each person can choose their favorite poem to read aloud and discuss with the group.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend a poetry reading event</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Research local events or poetry clubs hosting readings and attend one on Great Poetry Reading Day. This is a great way to support local poets and discover new works.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create blackout poetry</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather some old newspapers or magazines and create your own blackout poetry by circling or crossing out words to create a new poem. Get creative and share your creations with others.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Write your own poem</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Challenge yourself to write your own poem on Great Poetry Reading Day. You can choose a specific theme or just let your creativity flow.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create a poetry book club</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Start a book club with friends that focuses on reading and discussing poetry. This is a great way to deepen your understanding and appreciation for different styles and poets.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It celebrates the beauty and power of words</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Great Poetry Reading Day is a chance to appreciate the written word in all its glory. It's a day to slow down, take a breath, and immerse yourself in some of the most powerful and meaningful pieces of literature ever written.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It honors the legacy of great poets</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>On this special day, we remember and celebrate the contributions of great poets from around the world. From Shakespeare to Maya Angelou, Great Poetry Reading Day allows us to honor those who have used their words to inspire, inform, and entertain generations.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It encourages self-expression</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Reading poetry can also be an act of self-expression. It allows us to connect with our inner thoughts and emotions in a way that is unique and personal. Great Poetry Reading Day encourages us to explore and share our own poetic voices, whether through reading or writing.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Poetry Dates Back to Ancient Times</h3><p class='facts-content'>Poetry is considered one of the oldest forms of literary expression, dating back to ancient civilizations such as the Sumerians and Ancient Egyptians who employed poetic techniques in their hymns and tales.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Some Poems Do Not Rhyme</h3><p class='facts-content'>While many people associate poetry with rhyme, there is a vast array of "non-rhyming" poems known as free verse. This style disregards strict rhyme schemes and is popular among modern poets like T.S. Eliot and Ezra Pound.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Longest Poem in English is Over 1 Million Words Long</h3><p class='facts-content'>The poem "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge is considered the longest in English with over 1 million words. Remarkably, it was all written by a single author.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Haiku is a Popular Poetry Form Originating from Japan</h3><p class='facts-content'>The Haiku, a poetry form made of three lines and typically totaling 17 syllables, is a celebrated poetic expression in Japan, frequently encapsulating a nature-related theme or moment of enlightenment.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Poetry Can Enhance Cognitive Function</h3><p class='facts-content'>Reading and writing poetry can enhance cognitive function, promoting better memory, emotional intelligence, and analytical thinking. It is often used therapeutically, especially in aged care and mental health settings.</p></div></div>
Great Poetry Reading Day is celebrated on April 28 every year. In 2024 Great Poetry Reading Day will occur on a Sunday.
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Apr 28
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