December 25

Jupiter Hammon Publishes "An Evening Thought, by Christ, with Penitential Cries" 

On December 25, 1760, Jupiter Hammon became the first African American poet to be published in the United States with "An Evening Thought, by Christ, with Penitential Cries".  The poem illustrates some of the basic tenets of the Christian faith.  The poem gives an indication of the  strong Christian belief of Hammon.  The poem was published on the day Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, December 25th.  Jupiter Hammon was born as a slave on October 17,1711 in Lloyd Harbor, New York.   Hammon died a slave never obtaining his freedom around 1806.