Why is April 23 World Book Day?
Why is April 23 World Book Day?
April 23 is celebrated every year as World Book Day, officially designated by UNESCO in 1995.
The story most people know is that two of the greatest writers in history, Miguel de Cervantes and William Shakespeare, both died on April 23, 1616.
In fact, UNESCO explains that “this symbolic date of world literature coincides with that of the disappearance of the writers William Shakespeare, Miguel de Cervantes and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega,” which is why April 23 was chosen as World Book and Copyright Day.
But is it really true that Cervantes and Shakespeare died on the same day?
Did Cervantes and Shakespeare really die on April 23?
Not exactly.
The only one of the three writers who actually died on April 23, 1616, was Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, the Peruvian chronicler (not to be confused with the Spanish poet Garcilaso de la Vega, who lived about half a century earlier).
The origin of the confusion: Julian and Gregorian calendars
The misunderstanding comes from the fact that England was still using the Julian calendar, while Spain had already adopted the Gregorian calendar.
The Gregorian calendar, introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582, is the calendar used today in almost every country. At that time, the difference between the two calendars was 10 days.
When did they actually die?
According to the Julian calendar, William Shakespeare died on April 23, 1616. However, this corresponds to May 3, 1616, in the Gregorian calendar.
Miguel de Cervantes, on the other hand, did not even die on April 23.
Historical records show that Cervantes actually died on April 22, 1616. His funeral took place the following day, April 23, and that was the date recorded in official documents. For centuries, this funeral date was mistakenly considered the date of his death.
The origins of the Book Day in Spain
Long before UNESCO created World Book Day, Book Day was already celebrated in both Spain and Catalonia.
The first official celebration took place in 1926, but not on April 23. Originally, Book Day was held on October 7, the date then believed to be Miguel de Cervantes’ birthday.
Booksellers used the occasion to promote books with special discounts and encourage reading.
Why was Book Day first celebrated on October 7?
It was the date that Miguel de Cervantes was believed to have been born. Well, it was actually his christening date, which was the only one available. There is no official date of his birth.
We are back to a mess of dates! If you look in Wikipedia or any biography about Cervantes, you will see that they indicate that he was born on September 29, 1547 (although in some places they keep October 7, the day of baptism, as the date of birth)
But it is an assumed date, since it is not recorded anywhere. It is believed to have been September 29, as it was the feast of San Miguel. Let us remember the ancient religious tradition of giving the newborn the name of the Santoral, that is, of the saint of the day.
Spring versus Fall
Returning to the theme of the book day on October 7. It was considered more appropriate to celebrate this day in a more pleasant season for walking and browsing the books in the open-air booksellers. Spring was much better than fall. So, in 1930, King Alfonso XIII approved changing the celebration from Book Day to April 23, the supposed date of Cervantes’s death (we have already clarified that he actually died on April 22).
In 1930, the day of the book was celebrated for the first time on April 23, which in Catalonia meant celebrating the Sant Jordi festival and the Book festival on the same day.
The Day of the Book and Sant Jordi
Until that moment in Catalonia the feast of Sant Jordi, the patron saint of Catalonia was celebrated by giving just roses. Starting in 1930, the tradition of giving roses plus books was adopted. A precious tradition that lasts over time. Visiting any town or village of Catalonia on April 23 is a wonderful experience and a great chance to meet writers, buy books, roses, walk through the streets with music, concerts.
On Sant Jordi’s day in Barcelona, all neighborhoods have their bookstalls, but the most emblematic area and where the most renowned writers sign their books are at Passeig de Gràcia.