World Book and Copyright Day is celebrated globally

Date: 23 Apr 1995
Updated: 30 Sep 2019

World Book and Copyright Day is a UNESCO initiative first held in 1995.By celebrating this Day throughout the world, UNESCO seeks to promote reading, publishing and the protection of intellectual property through copyright. The date was especially chosen because it is accepted as Shakespeare’s birthday and coincidentally, several well-known writers either died or were born on the day. Activities on the day include relay reading, the distribution of bookmarks and announcements of writing competitions. The activities are jointly organized by writers, publishers, NGO’s, public and private institutions and the media. The South African theme for 2013 World Book Day is: “In Books I find”¦”

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01Time and Date, World Book and Copyright Day, from Time and Date, [online], Available at www.timeanddate.com [Accessed: 12 April 2013]
02SA Booksellers World Book Day – 23 April 2013, from SA Booksellers Association, [online], Available at www.sabooksellers.com [Accessed: 12 April 2013]

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2013, April 19). World Book and Copyright Day is celebrated globally . South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0095493

South African History Online (2013) 'World Book and Copyright Day is celebrated globally ', South African History Online, 19 April. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0095493 (Accessed: 15 August 2026).

South African History Online, World Book and Copyright Day is celebrated globally [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0095493, (accessed 15 August 2026).

"World Book and Copyright Day is celebrated globally ." South African History Online, 19 Apr. 2013, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0095493. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

South African History Online. "World Book and Copyright Day is celebrated globally ." South African History Online. April 19, 2013. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0095493.