Why You Should Celebrate World Book Day Tomorrow

A holiday I can actually support

Tomorrow, April 23rd, is World Book Day across the globe. The date is a fitting one, since it was on April 23, 1616, that Miguel de Cervantes (author of Don Quixote) and William Shakespeare both died. The celebration began in Spain in 1922, and in 1995 the first UNESCO World Book and Copyright Day was observed. And before my many friends in the UK protest, I realize that you celebrate World Book Night on April 23rd, as you already celebrated World Book Day on March 7th (the day was changed in 1998 due to conflicts with St. George’s Day, which is also April 23rd, and potential conflicts with the Easter school holidays).

To non-readers, even with backing from the UN this might sound like one of the countless made-up “holidays” we’re forced to endure these days, from Buy Your Amazon Driver a Freaking GPS Day to National Let Your Cat Drink Single Malt Scotch Day to International Listen to “Born to Run” Day (officially August 25th, but in reality every day). World Book Day, however, is not a fake holiday and it’s one everyone should observe. The reason I’m writing about it a day early is to give you time to prepare.

A little preparation is necessary, I believe, to truly honor the spirit of the day. The UNESCO website says this about World Book Day: