National Anne Bradstreet Day is observed each year on September 16, the death anniversary of the eminent poet and writer. She is considered one of the most important early English poets in North America and was the first writer to get published in England’s North American colonies. This day is a day of remembrance for all of her evolutionary work.
History of Anne Bradstreet Day
Anne Bradstreet, formerly Anne Dudley, was born in 1612 in Northampton, England. At the age of 18, she sailed to settle in Massachusetts Bay along with her husband, Simon Bradstreet, her parents, and other Puritans. Anne Bradstreet would write poems while she performed her domestic duties, brought up eight children, worked as a hostess, etc. One day, her brother-in-law took these poems to England without her knowledge and got them published there as “The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up In America.” This was the first of her many published works.
She was one of the first colonial poets to be published in the New World, the first Englishwoman to publish a book of poems and the first published American poet. While her early works were more rooted in the traditional poetry structure at the time, her writing became increasingly inspired and original and covered a wide range of topics such as beauty, death, society, and her Puritan faith.
Anne Bradstreet paved the way for many that came after her. She went on to write and publish her work until September 16, 1672, when she passed away in her permanent home in Andover. On September 16, her death anniversary, we take the day to remember her prominent work and celebrate her life as National Anne Bradstreet Day.
Anne Bradstreet Day timeline
Anne is born in Northampton to parents Thomas Dudley and Dorothy Yorke, who educate her and encourage her to grow up a reader.
Anne, now Bradstreet, moves to Massachusetts Bay with her husband, Simon Bradstreet, and her parents.
Her brother-in-law gets her poems published in England as “The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up In America.”
Bradstreet passes away in her home in Andover and her death anniversary becomes a day to celebrate and remember her.
Anne Bradstreet Day FAQs
When is National Anne Bradstreet Day?
It is observed on September 16 every year, on Anne Bradstreet’s death anniversary.
What was Anne Bradstreet’s writing style?
Anne Bradstreet had a typically Puritan writing style.
What is Anne Bradstreet’s most famous poem?
Her most famous poem is “Contemplations.”
Anne Bradstreet Day Activities
Read some of her work
What better way to spend National Anne Bradstreet Day than by reading some of her famous work? There is a large corpus of her poetry to choose from across a wide range of topics.
Write your own poem
You could take some inspiration from her work, grab a pen and paper and let your inner Anne Bradstreet shine!
Learn more about literary history
Take the time to learn more about not only Anne Bradstreet but also the many other prominent figures and events that contributed to the development of literature as we know it today.
5 Facts About Anne Bradstreet That We Know Through Her Poems
She was a survivor
Anne writes about her house burning down and her guilt about feeling sad about losing material possessions — fortunately, her family members survived.
She loved her husband
In a poem for her husband, Simon Bradstreet, Anne expresses her deep and undying love for him — they had a love marriage when Anne was 16 years old.
Her work was her child
She compares the process of creating and publishing her work to the different stages of motherhood and considers her work to be her child.
She made an important contribution to history
Anne was one of the first poets to write about personal matters such as thoughts, emotions, life events, etc — she paved the way for such writing.
She grew up in a strict Puritan home
A lot of her writing is influenced by Puritanism — Anne was devout and deeply valued her faith in God, however, she recognized and criticized some of the problems with the Puritan faith.
Why We Love National Anne Bradstreet Day
It reminds us of our history
Days like this serve as a reminder that our ancestors had to pioneer and tackle the unknown for us to be able to have the freedom and opportunity to do those things today.
It encourages us to follow our hearts
Despite her numerous duties as a homemaker, wife, and mother, Anne Bradstreet continued to fuel her passion for poetry and writing. She didn’t let the restrictions put on women by society slow her down and her story serves as an inspiration for many.
It nudges us to believe
Anne Bradstreet’s work was well-received and is appreciated and talked about to this date. Her brother-in-law believed in her talent and took the step to showcase it to the world. All it takes is a little belief.
Anne Bradstreet Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | September 16 | Monday |
| 2025 | September 16 | Tuesday |
| 2026 | September 16 | Wednesday |
| 2027 | September 16 | Thursday |
| 2028 | September 16 | Saturday |
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