Publication of first book of poems: "Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral."
In 1773, Phillis Wheatley published her groundbreaking collection, "Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral." This book was not only the first published by an African American woman but also one of the first collections by an African American author, solidifying Wheatley's place in literary history. The book's publication in London highlighted the transatlantic connections of her work and the significant interest her poetry generated beyond colonial America's borders. This collection includes numerous pieces that address themes of identity, spirituality, and freedom, resonating deeply with Enlightenment ideals of the era.