23 April: World Book and Copyright Day

Every year World Book and Copyright Day is being observed on 23 April to promote reading, publishing and copyright.

The day seeks to encourage everyone and in particular young people, to discover the pleasure of reading.

It also wants them to gain a renewed respect for the irreplaceable contributions of those, who have furthered the social and cultural progress of humanity.

Background

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) had created this day and was first observed in 1995.

It is on this date in 1616 Miguel de Cervantes (greatest Spanish writer), William Shakespeare (greatest English writer and the world’s pre-eminent dramatist) and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega all have died.

It should be noted that 2016 marks the 400th death anniversary of William Shakespeare, Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, as well as that of the birth or death of several other prominent authors.