April is National Poetry Month! The Academy of American Poets – an organization that includes booksellers, librarians, teachers, publishers, poets, and literary associations – met in 1995 to discuss the need for a month-long celebration of poetry. The meeting was successful, and the holiday was officially launched in April of 1996. There are 6 key goals of National Poetry Month:
1) to highlight the achievements and legacy of American poets
2) to encourage poetry reading
3) to help teachers introduce poetry into the classroom
4) to increase media coverage of poetry and poets
5) increase publication of poetry books
6) to increase support for poetry and the poets who produce it