The original idea of World Book Day was conceived in 1922 by Spanish
writer Vicente Clavel Andrés as a way to honour the author
Miguel de Cervantes. It was first celebrated on 7 October 1926,
Cervantes' birthday, before being moved
to his death date, 23 April, in 1930.
The celebration continued to enjoy great popularity in Spain, especially
in Catalonia, where it coincides with the Diada de Sant Jordi, the patron
saint of Catalonia. The Diada usually involves the exchange of gifts
between loved ones and, since the 1931 Book Fair in Barcelona,
the gifts are a book and a rose.
In 1995, UNESCO decided that the World Book and Copyright Day
would be celebrated on 23 April, as the date is also the anniversary of
the death of William Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, as well
as that of the birth or death of several other prominent authors.
Spain
In Spain, Book Day began to be celebrated since 1926 every October 7,
the date that Miguel de Cervantes was believed to have been born. But,
it was considered more appropriate to celebrate this day in a more pleasant
season for walking and browsing the books in the open-air.
Spring was much better than fall. So in 1930 King Alfonso XIII
approved the change of celebration of the Book Day on April 23,
the supposed date of the death of Cervantes.
United Kingdom and Ireland
In the United Kingdom and Ireland, World Book Day is a charity event
in March, held annually on the first Thursday and coinciding with the
release of special editions.
The annual celebration on 23 April is World Book Night, an event
organized by independent charity The Reading Agency.
a special book shop in Porto, Portugal
United States
In Kensington, Maryland, the International Day of the Book is celebrated
with a street festival on the Sunday closest to 26 April.
India
World Book Day is also celebrated in India on 23rd April every year.
It is commemorated in many parts of India to encourage & aware of
people for reading & publishing books.
