World Book Day: History, Facts & Insights

This is an in-depth look at all the must-know facts about World Book Day (2024) 🗓️ that no one tells you about. World Book Day is observed on April 23rd.

Among the information you’ll find below: the history of World Book Day, activities to do on and how to observe this holiday, as well as important facts you might want to know about World Book Day.

📅 What day is World Book Day 2024?

In 2024, World Book Day is on Sunday, April 23rd. It is the 4th Sunday in April; in 2024, it is Tuesday. There are until the next observance. You also can see all fascinating details and facts about April 23, 2023, that you might not be aware of.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is just as excited about literature as we are. They created World Book Day to commemorate the pleasure of reading and celebrate its significance.

📜 World Book Day History

Thousands of years ago, clay tablets were used as a means of creating language and writing. These tablets then paved the way for the use of parchment and papyrus. In the third century, the Chinese invented the first book, although their books were made of thick bamboo pages sewn together. However, it was not until the mid-15th century, with the invention of the printing press, that books as we know them today became widely accessible to everyone. This revolutionary idea allowed us to delve into the prose and poetry of countless authors and poets, from Shakespeare and Tolstoy to George R.R. Martin.

On April 23, 1995, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) established World Book Day. This date was chosen to honor the death anniversaries of two prominent figures, William Shakespeare and the renowned Spanish chronicler Inca Garcilaso de la Vega.

There were various proposals for the date of World Book Day in the past. Initially, Valencian writer Vicente Clavel Andrés suggested that it should be celebrated on the anniversary of author Miguel de Cervantes. This meant it could fall on either his birthday, October 7, or the day he passed away, April 23. The latter date was chosen because it coincided with the deaths of William Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega. Interestingly, other well-known authors, such as William Wordsworth and David Halberstam, also died on April 23.

Different countries around the world observe World Book Day on separate dates. In the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Ireland, it is celebrated on different days.

✅ World Book Day Facts

🔖 Books are personal
Kids who have the opportunity to use books are more inclined to develop a habit of reading compared to those who don’t have this access.

🔖 It all adds up
If you spend just 20 minutes reading each day, it adds up to a whopping 1,800,000 words in a year.

🔖 Reading is self-care
Reading reduces stress levels by 68%.

👍 Why Is World Book Day Important

Many companies will provide free eBooks to download to your device, so be sure to take advantage of as many as you can.

It’s hard to imagine, but printed book sales in the United States are on the increase once again! According to Statista, Americans purchased approximately 700 million in 2018, the most since 2010.

Reading for enjoyment has been shown in studies to lower cortisol levels, sometimes known as stress. It also boosts memory and cognitive performance. Fiction allows readers to put themselves in the shoes of another person, making us more compassionate. Reading improves your attention span and can help you live a longer life.

🙂 How To Observe World Book Day

⚡ Host a book club

⚡ Dress like a literary character (Jay Gatsby, anyone?)
Embrace a fashionable and elegant approach, reminiscent of the fashion depicted in Fitzgerald’s novel. Opt for robes that capture the essence of Tolkien’s world or attire that draws inspiration from Jane Austen’s era. If you can gather a group of friends or colleagues to join you, you’ll earn bonus points!

⚡ Support local booksellers
The only thing better than reading a good book is discussing it with others who share your enthusiasm. Host a meal based on your favorite book or series to commemorate World Book Day. It does not have to be limited to grownups. Consider your child’s delight at enjoying a supper based on a beloved storybook. Eric Carle’s “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” has a lot of good (and some not-so-healthy) cuisine that would make a fantastic meal.

📅 When is World Book Day?

Explore all 🔗 April holidays, including 🔗 Arts & Entertainment and other 🔗 Activities holidays.

We will continue to update this page with new information and interesting facts about World Book Day. So be sure to check back soon.