The history of World Book and Copyright Day is quite fascinating and serves as a tribute to the power of books and the rights of authors.

The origin of this special day dates back to 1922 when Vicente Clavel Andres, a passionate publisher from Barcelona, Spain, proposed celebrating a day dedicated to books to honor the famous novelist Miguel de Cervantes.

The first celebration occurred on October 7, 1926, coinciding with Cervantes’ birthday. However, to commemorate the deaths of several literary giants, including Cervantes, William Shakespeare, and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, UNESCO decided to mark April 23 as World Book and Copyright Day in 1995​​​​.

This day was chosen because of its literary significance and to encourage everyone to explore the joys of reading. It also recognizes the contributions of authors to cultural and social progress. The day celebrates the essence of reading, the importance of books, and authors’ rights over their works​​​​.

World Book and Copyright Day involves various activities designed to promote reading and the cultural aspects of books.

These activities range from book donations and reading challenges to public readings and events to increase awareness of copyright laws. In some years, UNESCO awards the Prize for Children’s and Young People’s Literature in the Service of Tolerance.

This further highlights the day’s significance in promoting peace, tolerance, and mutual understanding through literature​​.

UNESCO and international book industry organizations select the World Book Capital each year. This highlights the global dedication to literacy and knowledge exchange. The celebrations foster a love for literature, emphasizing books’ role in advancing education, communication, and cultural understanding​​.

In essence, World Book and Copyright Day is not just a celebration of books and authors but a reminder of the impact of literature on individual growth. It serves as an opportunity for people to recognize the transformative power of reading.