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[BOLD] Not an official holiday but this day was first recognized in 1985 and continues to be observed by communities, schools, and colleges throughout the country.[/BOLD]

October 17th is Black Poetry Day. The time to celebrate past and present authors like Langston Hughes, Phillis Wheatley and Paul Laurence Dunbar.
Spend this day appreciating African-American authors and spreading the word of Black poets through your friends, family members and throughout the world.
The birth of Black Poetry Day came as an anniversary of the first published African-American poet, Jupiter Hammon, who was born into slavery in 1711 on Long Island.
With the birth of the Harlem Renaissance, Black Poetry has strived to become what it is today.
Famous black poets include
Maya Angelou
Sterling A. Brown
Lucille Clifton
Toi Derricotte
Paul Laurence Dunbar
Jessie Redmon Fauset
Angelina W. Grimke
Jupiter Hammon
Langston Hughes
Claude McKay
Anne Spencer
Ntozake Shange
Natasha Trethewey
Margaret Walker
Phillis Wheatley (one of the first female black poets)
http://www.poemofquotes.com/articles/black-poetry-day.php