April 23 the World Celebrates International Day of the Book

This annual event organized by UNESCO (United Nations Educations, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) promotes reading and publishing. Books are like a window onto another world – with each new page, they introduce us to new people, new cultures and new ideas. World Book Day is celebrated in recognition of the power of books as a bridge between generations and across cultures.

April 23 was chosen as the date of the celebration as it is the anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare and Inca Garcilasco de la Vega as well as less prominent authors. In an historical coincidence, Miguel Cervantes is also listed as dying on the same date – April 23, 1616 – as Shakespeare but in fact they died 11 days apart since Spain was using the Gregorian calendar and England was using the Julian calendar at the time.