National Writers Day celebrates the art of writing and recognizes the importance of writers in our society. It’s a day dedicated to acknowledging the remarkable variety of writing we engage in and highlighting the significance of written expression in our daily lives.

Quick Facts

When is it: October 20th annually
Tagged as: National Day on Writing, National Journalism Day
What’s the hashtag: #NationalDayOnWriting
When was it founded: 2009
Who founded it: National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE)

History of National Writers Day

The day was officially established by the NCTE and received recognition through Senate resolutions in 2009 and 2010. Originally linked with Journalism Day, it has evolved to encompass all forms of writing. The inaugural celebration included various activities like webcasts, writing marathons, and local exhibitions.

Timeline

• 1998: NCTE initiates discussions about creating a national writing day
• 2009: First official National Day on Writing celebration
• 2010: Second Senate resolution reinforces the day’s importance
• 2017: Date permanently moved to October 20th
• Present: Continues as a celebration of writing in all its forms

Dates by Next Year

YearMonthDateDay
2024October20Sunday
2025October20Monday
2026October20Tuesday
2027October20Wednesday
2028October19Thursday
2029October19Friday

How It’s Observed

The day features writing marathons, exhibitions, webcasts, and creative challenges. Educational institutions organize special programs, and writers share their work through various platforms. The celebration emphasizes the importance of writing in communication, creativity, and personal expression.

Fun Facts About Writing

• The average office worker writes the equivalent of a novel annually in emails alone
• 32 million adults in the U.S. struggle with basic writing skills
• The NCTE’s National Gallery of Writing collected nearly 18,000 compositions
• Writing activities range from formal publications to casual text messages

Quiz

  1. Who established National Writers Day?
  2. What year was it officially recognized?
  3. What date is it celebrated?

-(Answers: NCTE, 2009, October 20)

FAQs

Why was this day created?
To highlight the variety of writing we engage in and promote better writing skills.

Who can participate?
Everyone who writes, from students to professionals.

How can I celebrate?
By engaging in writing activities, attending workshops, or sharing your written work.

Related Days

• National Author’s Day
• National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)
• National Journalism Day
• National Encourage a Young Writer Day
• World Book Day