National Book Lovers Day is an unofficial holiday dedicated to celebrating the joy of reading and literature. It encourages bibliophiles to put away their digital devices and immerse themselves in the world of books.
Quick Facts
When is it: August 9th annually
Tagged as: International unofficial holiday
What’s the hashtag: #NationalBookLoversDay
When was it founded: Unknown
Who founded it: Origin remains unknown
History
Books have evolved significantly through time, from ancient clay tablets in Mesopotamia around 3500 B.C. to modern digital formats. The earliest collected book, “The Diamond Sutra,” was published in China in 856. The revolutionary invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg in 1436 transformed book production, leading to today’s diverse publishing methods including digital printing and e-books.
Timeline
- 3500 BC: Mesopotamians create first clay tablet writings
- 856: Publication of “The Diamond Sutra”
- 1436: Gutenberg invents the printing press
- 1980s: First digital book published on CD-ROM
- Present: Rise of e-books and digital reading platforms
Dates for Next Year
| Year | Month | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | August | 9 | Saturday |
| 2026 | August | 9 | Sunday |
| 2027 | August | 9 | Monday |
| 2028 | August | 9 | Tuesday |
| 2029 | August | 9 | Wednesday |
| 2030 | August | 9 | Thursday |
How It’s Observed
People celebrate by visiting libraries, organizing book clubs, hosting reading events, exchanging books, and simply dedicating time to reading. Many bookstores offer special discounts, while libraries organize special events and reading sessions.
Fun Facts About Books
- Medieval libraries chained books to shelves to prevent theft
- The Japanese word “tsundoku” refers to the habit of collecting unread books
- Early books used vellum (calf-skin) for pages and wood for covers
- Modern print-on-demand technology only prints books when ordered
Quiz
- When was the printing press invented?
- What was the first collected book?
- What material was used for early book pages?
- What is the Japanese word for collecting unread books?
(Answers: 1. 1436, 2. The Diamond Sutra, 3. Vellum/calf-skin, 4. Tsundoku)
FAQs
- Are printed book sales declining? Print sales vary by category and distribution channel
- Is it only for avid readers? No, it’s for anyone who enjoys reading
- How can I participate online? Share book photos, join virtual book events, discuss books on social media
Related Holidays
- World Book Night
- Children’s Book Week
- Read an E-Book Week
- Random Acts of Poetry Day
- National Friends of Libraries Week
- Talk Like Shakespeare Day