World Poetry Day

World Poetry Day History

World Poetry Day seeks to promote linguistic diversity and expression through poetry. This day encourages writing poetry and aims to support teachers and publishers. Poetry is an artistic expression that emphasizes feelings and ideas by using different styles and rhythms. It can be spoken or written. The United Nations believes that poetry is an affirmation of our common humanity and proves that all humans everywhere share the same questions and feelings.

World Poetry Day was established in 1999 by UNESCO as part of an effort to support creative expression and endangered languages. It is observed annually on March 21st.

Facts about World Poetry Day

• The oldest love poem in the world was written on a clay tablet during the Sumerian times, which was around 3500 BC.
• William Shakespeare is most often praised for his work as a playwright however he also wrote several poems. They were just as well received as his plays, some are, The Phoenix and the Turtle, Fear no more the heat o' the sun, and from The Rape of Lucrece.
• Mahabharata is the longest poem in the world. The Indian epic poem contains about 1.8 million words.
• Poetry slam is a competitive event in which poets perform spoken poetry in front of an audience. It was started by poet Marc Smith in 1986 at a Chicago Jazz Club. It is typically scored on a scale of 1-10 by a panel of judges.
• Poetry is truth in its Sunday clothes - Joseph Roux, French priest and poet

In the News and Trending in the US for World Poetry Day

Top things to do in the US for World Poetry Day

• Read up about riddles, rhymes, limericks and sonnets and then try to write your very own original poem. Once written, share it on social media as a picture or a note.
• Go see a poetry slam show. It is often a dramatic performance in which poets recite their poetry. It is considered to be one of the most interesting ways of engaging poetry.
• Read famous poems such as Divine Comedy, Phenomenal Woman, or A Dream Within a Dream.
• Revisit your childhood by reading Dr. Seuss' books. Dr. Seuss was a famous poet and arguably the world's favorite children's author. Read Green Eggs and Ham, One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish and Oh, The Places You'll Go.