World Book Day
Next: April 23, 2027
Give someone a book.
The story
Where it comes from
World Book and Copyright Day grew out of a Spanish custom. The first Book Day, proposed by the Valencian publisher Vicent Clavel, was held on 7 October 1926; in 1930 it moved to 23 April, the date long given for the deaths of Miguel de Cervantes and William Shakespeare in 1616. In Catalonia that is also Sant Jordi, St George's Day, when roses were already given to loved ones, so books joined the roses. On 15 November 1995 UNESCO's General Conference made 23 April a world day for books and authors.
How it's celebrated
In Barcelona the Rambla fills with book and rose stalls, authors sign copies, and by tradition people swap a rose and a book. Around the world, libraries, schools and bookshops hold readings and events that encourage reading. Each year UNESCO and the international bodies for publishers, booksellers and libraries name a World Book Capital, whose year of book events begins on 23 April. The best way to join in is to give someone a book.
Did you know
- Neither writer died on 23 April as we count it now: Cervantes died on the 22nd and was buried on the 23rd, and Shakespeare's 23 April was on England's old Julian calendar, which makes it 3 May on ours.
- Kuala Lumpur was UNESCO's World Book Capital 2020, under the slogan 'KL Baca: Caring through Reading'.
- Barcelona sells an estimated 40% of its year's roses on this one day.
Coming up next
- International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace · April 24, 2027
- World Malaria Day · April 25, 2027
- World Intellectual Property Day · April 26, 2027
- International Design Day · April 27, 2027
- World Day for Safety and Health at Work · April 28, 2027
- International Dance Day · April 29, 2027