National Clerihew Day: History, Facts & Insights

This is an in-depth look at all the must-know facts about National Clerihew Day (2024) 🗓️ that no one tells you about. National Clerihew Day is observed on July 10th.

Among the information you’ll find below: the history of National Clerihew Day, activities to do on and how to observe this holiday, as well as interesting facts you may want to know about National Clerihew Day.

📅 What day is National Clerihew Day 2024?

In 2024, National Clerihew Day is on Monday, July 10th. It is the 2nd Monday in July; in 2024, it is Wednesday. There are until the next observance. You also can explore all the fun details and facts about July 10, 2023, that you might not be aware of.

We have a great love for amusing poetry, and what better time to appreciate it than on National Clerihew Day, which falls on July 10th, the birthday of the poet who popularized it, Edmund Clerihew Bentley. A clerihew follows a specific structure, consisting of four lines with a rhyme pattern of AABB. It typically focuses on a single topic, like a person or an animal, and highlights an interesting fact about them. The humor infused in these poems makes them highly enjoyable for readers.

📜 National Clerihew Day History

Bentley, originally from London, began his career as a journalist but later transitioned to poetry. His first book, “Biography for Beginners,” introduced readers to a unique style of verse called the clerihew. Remarkably, he developed this style when he was just 16 years old. To solidify his reputation as the greatest comic poet of his time, Bentley went on to publish two more collections of poetry.

Even after his death in 1956, Bentley’s poetry continued to be published in both print and audio formats. In the 20th century, the clerihew gained popularity in America as renowned poets attempted to create similarly humorous poetry.

Today, the clerihew is a respected poetry style cherished nationwide. It follows specific traditions, including four lines of verse, an AABB rhyme scheme, the subject’s name in the first line, and comical content. On this occasion, both novice and experienced poets enjoy creating humorous poetry and appreciating the work of others.

✅ National Clerihew Day Facts

🔖 The oldest written poem
Over 4,000 years ago, the first recorded poetry was created.

🔖 The sonnet form
The sonnet became widely known and appreciated due to the influence of William Shakespeare, the renowned playwright.

🔖 The world’s longest poem
The “Mahabharata,” an epic poem with a staggering 1.8 million words, is widely regarded as the longest poem ever composed.

👍 Why Is National Clerihew Day Important

Many people like writing poetry but are intimidated by the works of traditional poets. Writing a cleric, on the other hand, can be a delightful and happy pastime.After all, you only have four lines to write, and you don’t have to write about something profound. You may compose a poem out of any truth or historical record about any individual.

Poetry writing is an excellent way to keep brain cells busy and healthy. According to research, the process of composing a poem allows people to feel psychologically free and express themselves without restriction. This can be an excellent way to express pent-up emotions about a subject that you are unable to discuss with others.

While poems are designed to be witty and entertaining, thinking about and composing a poem is a contemplative activity that allows us to reflect on our lives and histories. It is an excellent method to look at things differently and assess our difficulties more clearly and properly.

🙂 How To Observe National Clerihew Day

⚡ Organize a contest
Engaging in this activity can be a fun hobby, especially for imaginative and creative young individuals. One idea is to organize a writing contest for children in your community, focusing on imaginative and creative writing. To enhance their creativity, it’s important to create an environment filled with interesting and captivating things. Additionally, you can recognize and reward the most amusing and clever poems with prizes. Parents can be encouraged to support their children and engage in conversations with each other during the event.

⚡ Attend a poetry reading
Poetry recitals have been a treasured tradition in human civilization for centuries. On National Clerihew Day, why not explore poetry recital events happening in your area and try to attend at least one of them? It can be a delightful experience to listen to well-crafted and harmonious poetry.

⚡ Write some clerihews
If you enjoy writing poetry, celibate hymns can be a great way to begin. These short poems focus on exploring just one idea, allowing you to experiment with it. Over time, you can accumulate a substantial collection of these essays, which could potentially be published as a book or shared online as a blog.

📅 When is National Clerihew Day?

See all 🔗 July holidays, including 🔗 Arts & Entertainment and other 🔗 Appreciation holidays.

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