When is World Book and Copyright Day?
World Book and Copyright Day 2027 is on Friday
Friday, April 23, 2027
April 23 every year. That's in 201 days.
until World Book and Copyright Day begins, in your time zone
World Book and Copyright Day is a UNESCO day that celebrates books and reading, honors authors and promotes copyright as a way to protect creative work. It invites people of all ages, especially young readers, to read for enjoyment.
About World Book and Copyright Day
World Book and Copyright Day celebrates books as a link between generations and cultures, and it recognizes the authors, translators, publishers, booksellers and librarians who bring them to readers. The copyright half of the name reflects UNESCO's support for protecting creators' rights so that writers can earn a living from their work. UNESCO has been involved in copyright since the Universal Copyright Convention, adopted under its sponsorship in 1952 and revised in 1971.
UNESCO's General Conference, meeting in Paris in 1995, chose April 23 for the observance. The date is symbolic: Miguel de Cervantes, William Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega are all recorded as dying on April 23, 1616. The match is partly a calendar quirk, since Spain had adopted the Gregorian calendar while England still used the Julian one, so Cervantes and Shakespeare did not actually die on the same day.
Each year UNESCO and international organizations representing publishers, booksellers and libraries select a World Book Capital, a city that runs a year of reading programs beginning on April 23. Madrid was the first, in 2001; Rio de Janeiro held the title in 2025 and Rabat, Morocco, in 2026. The UK and Ireland hold their own World Book Day for schoolchildren in early March.
Sources: UNESCO: World Book and Copyright Day, South African Government: World Book and Copyright Day. How we check dates.
How to mark World Book and Copyright Day
- Give a book as a gift, or leave a finished one on a community book-exchange shelf.
- Read a book by an author from a country or language you've never read before.
- Visit your public library and sign up for a card if you don't have one.
- Buy a book from a local independent bookstore, or borrow an e-book through your library.
- Learn how copyright applies to your own writing, photos or music, and credit creators when you share their work.
- Start a short read-aloud session with children at home or in a classroom.
World Book and Copyright Day dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Wednesday, April 23, 2025 |
| 2026 | Thursday, April 23, 2026 |
| 2027 | Friday, April 23, 2027 |
| 2028 | Sunday, April 23, 2028 |
| 2029 | Monday, April 23, 2029 |
| 2030 | Tuesday, April 23, 2030 |
| 2031 | Wednesday, April 23, 2031 |
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Frequently asked questions
When is World Book and Copyright Day 2027?
World Book and Copyright Day 2027 is on Friday, April 23, 2027. It falls on April 23 every year. In 2028, it is on Sunday, April 23, 2028.
Why does the name include copyright?
UNESCO pairs books with copyright to stress that protecting creators' rights helps keep writing and publishing alive.
Is it the same as World Book Day in the UK?
Not exactly. The UK and Ireland hold a separate World Book Day for schoolchildren in early March, usually on the first Thursday, while UNESCO's international observance is on April 23.
Is World Book and Copyright Day a public holiday?
No. World Book and Copyright Day is an observance, not a public holiday, so schools, banks, government offices and most businesses keep their normal hours.