APRIL, 2007.-

National Poetry Month was established in 1995 by the Academy of American Poets as a month-long, national celebration of poetry. It was inspired by the success of Black History Month (held each February) and Women's History Month (held in March). The first National Poetry Month was held in 1996.

On April 1, 1996, President Clinton declared: "National Poetry Month offers us a welcome opportunity to celebrate not only the unsurpassed body of literature produced by our poets in the past, but also the vitality and diversity of voices reflected in the works of today's American poetry….Their creativity and wealth of language enrich our culture and inspire a new generation of Americans to learn the power of reading and writing at its best."

Each year, booksellers, publishers, educators and literary organizations in the U.S. promote special poetry events during the month of April: bookstores frequently hold special readings,; publishers publicize new poetry books; teachers and librarians organize local events promoting readings, poetry contests, presentation of selected poets, etc.

Links of Interest:

Academy of American Poets
URL: http://www.poets.org

American Poems
URL: http://www.americanpoems.com/

Famous Poets and Poems
URL: http://famouspoetsandpoems.com/

Online Poetry Resources
URL: http://www.poets.org/page.php/prmID/199

Poets and Writers
URL: http://www.pw.org/

Poetry International Web
URL: http://www.poetryinternational.org/

Pablo Neruda
URL: http://www.neruda.uchile.cl/

The Walt Whitman Archive
URL: http://www.whitmanarchive.org/