Black Poetry Day is meant to honor and support past and present African-American poets, and is celebrated on October 17 in honor of the first published black poet in the United States, Jupiter Hammon, who was born in Long Island, New York, on October 17, 1711 (National Day Calendar).

This holiday is dedicated to honoring those who have contributed to this genre. It was first proposed 50 years ago, in 1970, by Stanley A. Ransom and honors poets like Hammon and Phyllis Wheatley from the past as well as more modern poets like Langston Hughes and Maya Angelou.

Black Poetry Day and National Poetry Day, which was celebrated on October 1, are two different holidays, although they both celebrate the art of poetry. People can acknowledge Black Poetry Day by attending poetry readings, sharing their own poems, encourage other African-American poets, and be on the lookout for any special events happening.