World Book Day UK began in 1998. It was launched by Prime Minister Tony Blair at the Globe Theatre in London. Schoolchildren in Great Britain were given a £1 special World Book Day Token. This money sign could be exchanged for any book in any bookshop. Since then, World Book Day UK has followed a similar tradition. Some more initiatives, such as Quick Reads Initiative, Books for Hospitals were added to the celebration. In the United Kingdom World Book Day is held annually on the first Thursday in March. Although it might be argued that this makes it more a UK Book Day than a World Book Day, it was decided to celebrate this date together with spring school holidays. 2. The idea of World Book Day originated from Catalonia, Spain. There on 23 April, Saint George’s Day is celebrated. On Saint George’s Day it has been traditional since early times for men to give roses to women they admire and for the women to give books in exchange. Now on this day a rose is given in bookshops as a gift for each book sold. The tradition was set up more than 80 years ago. The connection between 23 April and books was first made in 1923 by booksellers in Spain as a way to honour the author Miguel de Cervantes who died on that day. To mark this day Cervantes’ Don Quixote is read during a two-day “readathon” and the Miguel de Cervantes Prize is presented by the King. 3. World Book Day is the biggest annual celebration of books and reading. During World Book Day, local libraries, school libraries and bookstores usually have special activities and parties for children, which are designed to encourage a love of books. They usually present material and information about how to get involved in World Book Day. Everybody can find the range of activities organised. As part of the celebration, children are invited to help to select the top children’s book of the year by voting online or at their school or library. Also, schoolchildren design posters, write compositions and book reviews of their favourite books and share them with the world on a special website. The winners of the review competitions have a chance to get brand new books. There are also a lot of charity and special fundraising activities for children in poor countries held on this day. 4. World Book Day is also known as International Day of the Book. It is a yearly event which is held on 23 April. World Book Day was set up in 1995. In that year, UNESCO decided that World Book Day would be celebrated on this date because of the festival in Catalonia, Spain and because on this date and in the same year of 1616, Cervantes, Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega all died. It is also the date of birth or death of other prominent authors such as Maurice Druon, Vladimir Nabokov, Josep Pla and some others. So, it was a choice of UNESCO to commemorate the authors and their books on this date. Now World Book Day is celebrated in over 100 countries around the globe. 5. World Book Day is a celebration for authors, publishers, booksellers and people who like reading. They work together to promote books and reading for the personal education and enjoyment of life. It was a wonderful decision for UNESCO’s General Conference to pay worldwide attention to books and authors on this date. The main idea of World Book Day is to encourage people worldwide to explore the pleasures of books and reading by providing them with the opportunity to choose a book of their own. Through the celebrations people are inspired to discover the beauty and the joy of the world through books. The activities and events organised on World Book Day is a good way to motivate people to read. I. True or false? 1. In the UK World Book Day is held annually on the first Thursday in March. 2. The idea of World Book Day originated from Catalonia. 3. There on 23 April, Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated. 4. During World Book Day, local cinemas and theaters have parties for children. 5. World Book Day is also known as International Day of the Book. 6. World Book Day is celebrated in over 100 countries around the globe. 7. World Book Day is a celebration for authors, publishers, booksellers and people who like reading. 8. World Book Day is a good way to motivate people to read.