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1761

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Achievement · literature
Jupiter Hammon Becomes First Published Black American Poet

Jupiter Hammon, an enslaved man on Long Island, New York, publishes 'An Evening Thought: Salvation by Christ, with Penetential Cries' on Christmas Day 1761 — an 88-line broadside poem. He becomes the first Black American to have his writing published in print, predating Phillis Wheatley's debut and launching an African American literary tradition.

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January 1761
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  1. 1761
    Jupiter Hammon Becomes First Published Black American Poet

    Jupiter Hammon, an enslaved man on Long Island, New York, publishes 'An Evening Thought: Salvation by Christ, with Penetential Cries' on Christmas Day 1761 — an 88-line broadside poem. He becomes the first Black American to have his writing published in print, predating Phillis Wheatley's debut and launching an African American literary tradition.

  2. 1761· debated
    Jupiter Hammon, first published Black author

    Jupiter Hammon publishes "An Evening Thought," becoming the first African American author to appear in print in the colonies.