As we near the end of March, many of us are starting to prepare for PSATs, SATs, Easter, and April Fools Day. The one holiday, however, that is not really ever discussed is World Poetry Day. Many of you at this moment might be wondering, “What even is that and why should we even care?” Luckily, we are here to inform you all what World Poetry Day is all about.

World Poetry Day is a national holiday that is celebrated every year on Mar. 21 and was originally taken on or “adopted” on that date by UNESCO, the United Nations Educational and Scientific Organization. This organization established this day to honor “One of humanity’s most treasured forms of cultural and linguistic expression and identity.”

All of you must be thinking, “Okay, that’s cool I guess, but what actually is the point of this day?” Well…World Poetry Day was actually created in 1999, during UNESCO’s 30th General Conference in Paris. They did this with the idea that poets would be honored, poetry recitals would become popular again, and that the encompassing importance of poetry was revived. The importance being reading, writing, and the teaching of poetry, whilst also capturing or understanding its beauty. UNESCO believed that this could be done by showcasing the connection between the beauty of poetry with the beauty of “Other arts such as theater, dance, music and painting, and raise the visibility of poetry in the media.” This day is celebrated amongst many countries and proves to be one of illustrious inspiration.

In conclusion, World Poetry Day is a national celebration of the art of poetry. While this holiday may be insignificant to people it’s still celebrated around the world by honoring poets with unique backgrounds. “So, how do I celebrate on this day?” Good question. Consider visiting the American Poetry Museum, founded in 2004 and located in Washington, DC and provides famous art and poets. But writing poems is perfectly acceptable as it’s a holiday to experience the beauty of poetry.