♦ World Book and Copyright Day is observed every year on April 23, to celebrating the books and reading.

♦ The day was formally established by UNESCO during its General Conference in Paris in 1995, in recognition of the profound influence books and authors have on individuals and societies.

♦ April 23 was chosen as the date for this celebration because it marks the death anniversaries of several literary legends, including William Shakespeare, Miguel de Cervantes, and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, according to the UNESCO website.

♦ In many places, exchanging books as gifts has also become a beloved tradition associated with this day.

♦ 2025 theme: ‘The role of literature in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).’