World Book Day Apr 23, 2024

World Book Day

In the heart of Ireland, amidst the storied halls of the Library of Trinity College Dublin, scrolls and tomes whisper tales of long-gone eras. Today, these silent storytellers shine for World Book Day. Established by UNESCO in 1995, the day serves as a reminder of the importance of reading, publishing and copyright. But why April 23? It marks the shared death anniversary of William Shakespeare, Miguel de Cervantes and several other literary greats.

© Lukas Bischoff/Getty Images

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Today in History

In the spotlight
Apr 23, 2025Shakespeare Day
Apr 23, 2026Shakespeare Day

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The buffet is open
Oct 5, 2026Adélie penguins, Antarctica
We’ve made it to Halfway Day!
Love is in the snow
Nov 2, 2023Death Valley National Park, California
‘Spotting’ deer in the wild
May 7, 2025Rabindra Jayanti
Spanning the soft sunlight
Sep 7, 2023Camels in the desert, United Arab Emirates
Mar 13, 2026Church of Notre Dame de Bon-Port, Les Sables-dOlonne, France
Apr 9, 2025Naxos, Cyclades, Greece
Sep 8, 2024International Literacy Day
Oct 5, 2025Jahangir Mahal, Orchha, Madhya Pradesh
Beauty all around
Nov 5, 2024Ranakpur Jain temple, Ranakpur, Rajasthan
Sep 13, 2025Point Reyes National Seashore, California, United States
Jan 30, 2025Rolands Breach, Spain
May 5, 2025Dunluce Castle, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Golden cliffs of deep space
Jul 8, 2024Blueberries growing in the wild
Jan 21, 2026Sand dunes in the Thar Desert, Rajasthan
Nov 17, 2023Copper Falls State Park, Wisconsin, USA
Jul 16, 2025Temple of Philae, Aswan, Egypt
A plant for all occasions
Want to hang about?
Feb 13, 2025Lake Tyrrell, Victoria, Australia
Mar 3, 2026Celebrating Holi
Oct 17, 2024Kochia, Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan
The mystery of Stonehenge
Dec 13, 2024Christmas market, St. Stephens Basilica, Budapest, Hungary