National Dictionary Day celebrates the birthday of Noah Webster, known as the father of the American Dictionary. This annual observance promotes the importance of dictionary use and vocabulary development in our daily lives.
Quick Facts
- When is it: October 16th annually
- Tagged as: Literature, Writing, Education
- Hashtag: #NationalDictionaryDay
- Founded: 1996
- Founded by: In honor of Noah Webster’s birthday
History of Title
Noah Webster revolutionized American English by creating the first comprehensive American dictionary. Born in 1758, he spent 27 years researching and compiling the American Dictionary of the English Language, which was published in 1828. His work standardized American spelling and helped establish a distinct American version of English.
Timeline
1604: First English dictionary published by Robert Cawdrey
1755: Samuel Johnson publishes his English Dictionary
1806: Webster publishes first American dictionary
1828: Webster’s comprehensive American Dictionary released
1884: Oxford English Dictionary begins publication
1996: Dictionary Day officially established
Dates by Next Year
| Year | Month | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | October | 16 | Thursday |
| 2026 | October | 16 | Friday |
| 2027 | October | 16 | Saturday |
| 2028 | October | 16 | Monday |
| 2029 | October | 16 | Tuesday |
| 2030 | October | 16 | Wednesday |
Observed
The day is celebrated annually in the United States with various educational activities, word games, and vocabulary-building exercises.
Fun Facts About Dictionaries
- The first Merriam-Webster Dictionary cost $6
- It took 50 years to create the first Oxford English Dictionary
- J.R.R. Tolkien worked as an editor’s assistant on the Oxford English Dictionary
- No dictionary contains every word in the English language
- Language evolution makes dictionaries outdated almost immediately after publication
Quiz
- Who is known as the father of American Dictionary?
- When was the first English dictionary published?
- How long did Webster spend creating his comprehensive dictionary?
(Answers: Noah Webster, 1604, 27 years)
FAQs
- Are there other holidays on October 16?
Yes, including Global Cat Day, National Boss’s Day, and World Food Day - Where is Dictionary Day celebrated?
Primarily in the United States
Related
- Library Lovers Day
- National Tell a Story Day
- National Speak in Sentences Day
- National Coloring Book Day
- World Book Day