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| World Book Day |
Introduction:
World Book Day, celebrated annually on April 23rd, is a global event that encourages the love for books, reading, and the power of storytelling. This remarkable occasion serves as a platform to promote literacy, inspire creativity, and foster a lifelong passion for literature. In this article, we will delve into the significance of World Book Day and explore the multitude of ways in which you can celebrate this special day.
We love books, and our friends at UNESCO agree. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization proposed World Book Day as a day of celebrating the joy of reading for enjoyment.
One hundred countries observe World Book Day, and why not?
Children who regularly read for enjoyment have higher test scores, develop a broader vocabulary, increased general knowledge and a better understanding of other cultures than their non-reading counterparts. Whether you read traditional paperbound books or turn to your Kindle/iPad/whatever, reading’s a passport to this and many other worlds. Support children with such good habits and make sure they gather the right information from what they read online. Scholaroo will help students navigate through research on scholarships as well as guide them towards further education best suited for them.
So celebrate with us on April 23! Here’s how to harness your inner bookworm — and maybe get a free book.
History of World Book Day
Books did not always look the way they do today, with their glossy covers and creamy pages. When writing systems were invented in ancient civilizations thousands of years ago, clay tablets were used. Later, humanity moved on to using papyrus. In the 3rd century, the Chinese were the first to make something that resembled today’s books in that they consisted of numerous thick, bamboo pages sewn together. Then, in the mid-15th century, Johannes Gutenberg’s printing press brought books into the industrial age, making them readily available to anyone who wanted to read them. It is thanks to than ingenious invention that we are all able to enjoy the works of Shakespeare, Tolstoy and many others in the comfort of our own homes today.
World Book Day was created on April 23rd, 1995, by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The connection between that date and books, however, was made in Spain in 1923, as it is the anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, prominent Spanish Chronicler.
There were a few ideas for the day of the year that World Book Day should be held. Originally, Vicente Clavel Andrés, a Valencian writer, suggested that the day should be on a day that honored the author Miguel de Cervantes. This would be either his birthday, October 7, or his death date, April 23. The latter date is the one that was chosen because it was also the date that William Shakespeare died and when Inca Garcilaso de la Vega died too. In fact, several other prominent authors have also died on April 23 – perhaps authors should be wary of this date!
In some countries, World Book Day actually takes place on other days of the year, despite the fact that the international event was created by UNESCO. For example, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Ireland all celebrate their own World Book Day events on a different day. However, the international day has been held on the same day each year since it began in 1995.
(1)
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4000 BC
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While history is unclear about the exact timing, scrolls
are used by well-educated people and act as the predecessors to books.
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(2)
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1st Century AD
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More compact and durable than scrolls, codices are
developed to make papers easier to handle and travel with, especially when
assembled of parchment paper with covers created from wood.
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(3)
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1430s
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Printing Press is
Invented
The earliest mention of a printing press in historical
records in Strasbourg, Germany in relation to Johannes Gutenburg.
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(4)
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1582
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First Dictionary is Printed
The first English Dictionary is created by Richard
Mulcaster
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(5)
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1923
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Booksellers
in Spain Celebrate Cervantes
In a nod to Miguel de Cervantes, booksellers in Catalonia
instigate a book exchange on April 23, in honor of the famous author’s deat
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(6)
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1971
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Books are
First Digitized
The first supplier of electronic books, Project Gutenberg
begins at the University of Illinois when Michael Hart transcribes a copy of
the Declaration of Independence at the University of Illinois in the US. The
project continues as a free online library of more than 60,000 eBooks.
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(7)
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1971
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World
Book Day Inaugural Celebration
The United Nations makes a push toward literacy with World
Book Day (also called World Book and Copyright Day). Since Catalonia
traditionally celebrates on April 23, the United Nations keeps this date.
Incidentally, the day coincides with what is celebrated as the anniversary of
the birth and death of William Shakespeare..
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(8)
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March 6, 1997
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World
Book Day Celebrated in UK and Ireland
While most countries celebrate Book Day in April, the UK
and Ireland have a tradition of celebrating on the first Thursday in March.
It began as Children’s book day, but has continued to foster reading for
people of all ages.
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(9)
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2000
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World
Book Capital City Initiative Starts
This initiative seeks to motivate countries throughout the
world to take part. Each year a capital city is chosen to maintain the drive
of World Book Day all throughout the year, creating a deeper connection with
literacy and publishing. World Book Capital for 2021 is Tbilisi, Georgia.
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(10)
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2011
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World
Book Night Begins
In an effort to move celebrations of reading into the
evening and focus more on adults instead of children, World Book Night starts
in the UK.
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How to celebrate World Book Day
Passionate book lovers can celebrate World Book Day in a number of ways, and spread the positive ways reading can affect your life. It’s the day when you can put some thought into how to encourage others to read more too, especially if you’re a parent or you work with students. You can read a favorite book and even read it out loud to children, young people, or perhaps some older people who would appreciate someone reading to them.
The absolute best way to celebrate this day would be to find the time to do some reading. Do you have a book you just can’t get around to finishing? Today’s the time to curl up on the couch or a blanket outside with a cup of coffee or tea and enjoy every last page.
If you have children, this could be the perfect day to teach them about the joys of reading. In today’s world, we are so flooded with images and videos that we run a very real risk of abandoning reading entirely–why bother if we can just watch a movie? Imagination is a child’s best friend, so make sure you contribute to keeping that little imagination as active as possible. Pick a topic your child is interested in, and spend part of this day exploring the magical world of literature together!
Yet another way to go about celebrating this day would be to get together with some friends for a reading of a book you all love. Hearing someone read aloud sentences you have only ever murmured to yourself could cause you to see them in a whole new way by adding feeling or emphasis of some certain elements. Furthermore, varied interpretations of a book could make for animated discussions about who did what and why they did it.
Whichever way you choose to celebrate World Book Day, make sure it’s an educational experience for you and those you care about. As acclaimed author Alan Bennett once said: “A book is a device to ignite the imagination.” World Book Day is a registered UK charity on a mission to give every child and young person a book of their own. It’s also a celebration of authors, illustrators, books and (most importantly) it’s a celebration of reading. In fact, it’s the biggest celebration of its kind, designated by UNESCO as a worldwide celebration of books and reading, and marked in over 100 countries all over the world.
Unlike some other days started by the UN, there are no themes for World Book Day, so you’re free to think up anything you like to celebrate. You can find various materials and inspiration from UNESCO each year, which will help to inspire you and encourage you to think of some creative ways to celebrate the day. You don’t need to be a teacher or someone who works with children to make this day a fun one, although it is a fantastic way to encourage children to read.
WORLD BOOK DAY DATES
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Year
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Date
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Day
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2024
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April 23
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Tuesday
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2025
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April 23
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Wednesday
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2026
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April 23
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Thursday
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2027
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April 23
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Friday
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2028
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April 23
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Sunday
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WHY WE LOVE WORLD BOOK DAY
Free books
Many companies will offer free eBooks to download to your device, so be sure to check out the offers and score as many as you can.
In Spain, it's customary to give books as presents on World Book Day. Kids in the UK receive tokens which they can take to a local bookseller for discounts. Sweden observes World Book Day with writing competitions across schools and colleges.
Mass appeal
Hard to believe, but sales of printed books are on the rise in the U.S. — again! Statista reports American bought nearly 700 million in 2018 — the most since 2010.
Read our lips
Studies show reading for pleasure can reduce cortisol levels, better known to most of us as stress. It also improves memory and brain function. Fiction helps readers step into another person’s shoes and makes us more empathetic. Reading also increases attention span and can help you live longer.
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5
FACTS
ABOUT READING
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(1)_Reading
is self-care
(Ans)_Reading
reduces stress by 68%.
(2)_Books
are personal
(Ans)_Children
who own books are more likely to become regular readers than those who don’t
have books at home.
(3)_It
all adds up
(Ans)_Reading
just 20 minutes a day equates to reading 1,800,000 words per year.
(4)_It
builds fluency
(Ans)-Reading
is the best way to build your vocabulary and this is most evident in
children.
(5)_Libraries
are cool!
(Ans)_Kids
read 50% more books if they have a mini library in their classroom.
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WORLD BOOK DAY FAQS
Q.1-Which day is known as World Book Day?
(Ans)_World Book Day is celebrated on April 23 every year.
Q.2_WHO celebrates World Book Day?
(Ans)_World Book Day, also known as World Book and Copyright Day, or International Day of the Book, is an annual event organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to promote reading, publishing, and copyright.Organizers in the UK moved the observance to avoid clashes with Easter school holidays and with St George’s Day.
Q.3_Why is World Book Day different in the UK?
(Ans)_Organizers in the UK moved the observance to avoid clashes with Easter school holidays and with St George’s Day.
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