World Book Day

The World Book and Copyright Day was established in 1997 by UNESCO to promote reading, publishing and the protection of intellectual property through copyright. Although often celebrated on April 23rd (the date on which Cervantes, Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega all died), the UK and Ireland are getting a little jump start on the celebrations, holding their version today. Part of the UK festivities will include "Read to a Million Kids" with stories read by authors or actors and broadcast online, available only to libraries and schools today, but everyone else can check them out for an additional day tomorrow. 

Unfortunately, the U.S. doesn't participate in this particular observance, the closest being the NEA's Read Across America program which First Lady Michelle Obama kicked off on March 2nd, the birthday of Dr. Seuss. Still, the idea that every one in the world would pick up a book and read (even if in and around work and other responsibilities) on a given day seems a bit magical, even if unrealistic, since approximately 2 billion people on this planet are still illiterate.