Whats Special On April 23

International Books Day

When people run head over heels on "Atshaya tritiya" to buy something in white (May be platinum as the commercialists say), it is very rare to find people buying books on International Books day.

The Origin of IBD

• The connection between 23 April and books was first made in 1923 by booksellers in Catalonia as a way to honor the author Miguel de Cervantes who died on that day.
• In 1995, UNESCO decided that the World Book and Copyright day would be celebrated on this date because of the Catalonian festival and because the date is also the anniversary of the birth and death of William Shakespeare.

One Interesting Bit

• Although 23 April is often stated as the anniversary of the deaths of both Shakespeare and Cervantes, this is not strictly correct.
• Cervantes died on 23 April according the Gregorian calendar; however, at this time England still used the Julian calendar. Whilst Shakespeare died on 23 April by the Julian calendar in use in his own country at the time, in actual fact he died ten days after Cervantes, because of the discrepancy between the two date systems. The apparent correspondence of the two dates was a fortunate coincidence for UNESCO.

On this Day..

• If you are a regular book reader, bring out this habit to your friends and family circle by gifting them a book today (there could be another reason for this.. read on.. )
• If you are still “trying” to start reading habit, go ahead. Today is the D-Day. Start the journey of life with Books.

If you are a newbie to reading books

• Don’t start with too philosophical books
• Take a small book in the subject of your interest. I often end up in returning a book unread to library just because of the fact that it is big. Last week I took a small book from library and almost completed it. (If you are exceptionally good reader, kick start your journey with giants!!)

What did I do?

• Today morning I and my brother have taken responsibility to sell books worth Rs. 400 to our friends circle. If you are one, contact me. (Tamil Books)

Catalonia - Lover's day

This day is also called as St George's Day.

Reason for celebration

• Well, we all know the Story behind Valentines Day. Like that, this day also has a special reason behind it.
• "Patron Saint of Catalonia, international knight-errant Saint George allegedly slew a dragon about to devour a beautiful princess south of Barcelona. From the dragon's blood sprouted a rosebush, from which the hero plucked the prettiest for the princess. "

How people celebrate

• This day is celebrated with Men giving roses to their Lady Friends and in turn they return Books.
• This day is celebrated in Barcelona since the Middle Ages to honor chivalry and romantic love, a day for men and mice alike to give their true loves roses.
• Over four million roses and half a million books are sold in Catalonia on Sant Jordi's Day (St. George Day)

Why books?

• In 1923, the lovers' fest merged with International Book Day
• Besides the Shakespeare and Cervantes anniversary, Barcelona is the publishing capital of the Spanish-speaking world.
• Language and love have, in any case, always been closely associated, to the point that contemporary evolutionary psychologists identify the cerebral cortex as both the erotic and linguistic center of the human brain.
• And don't affairs of the heart inevitably lead to exchanges of letters, books, poetry? Indeed true isnt it??
• In Sarrià a floral artisan displays 45 kinds of roses representing 45 different kinds of love, from impossible to unrequited to filial and maternal.

Birth and Death day of William Shakespeare

• There can be no one learning English Lit without knowing works of William Shak.
• He has contributed a lot in English poetry and has impact a lot on future generations.
• The complete works of W.S can be read at < http://shakespeare.mit.edu/>

Death day of William Wordsworth

• Complete works of William Wordsworth is present here - http://www.bartleby.com/145/

Turkey National Sovereignity and Children's Day

• The designation of Children's Day came in 1929 upon the recommendation of the Institution of Children's Protection.
• Since 1986 the Turkish government organizes an international children's festival on April 23.

Other Add-Ons for Today

• Finding Out AIDS Virus - 1984 http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/april/23/newsid_2524000/2524039.stm
• National Beer Day in Germany
• International Pixel-Stained Technopeasant Day http://www.boingboing.net/2007/04/15/april_23_is_internat.html
  

Please give your comments on this post. Also add the details you know about 24th.

Please give ideas on improvising too!!

Cheers,

Divya (Kelvizhi)