International Literacy Day
About International Literacy Day
When is International Literacy Day Celebrated? This holiday is always observed on September 8
International Literacy Day, a September 8 holiday, celebrates and promotes literacy all over the world. The day was created by the United Nations. It is promoted by the UN’s UNESCO. According to their website: “The aim is to highlight the importance of literacy to individuals, communities, and societies.”
Literacy is a global issue, and hence the UN takes an active role in promoting it. They do recognize and celebrate that billions of people are literate. But, they go further to promote literacy and seek improved literacy rates in every country of the world.
The worldwide literacy rate for men is 90%, and 83% for women. While that number seems quite high, it means hundreds of millions of people can not read. And in sub-Saharan Africa, the rate is only 64%.
.ps If you are reading this, then you can and should celebrate this day.
How to Celebrate International Literacy Day
Today is a great day to:
- Help someone learn how to read.
- Donate to programs that seek to improve literacy around the world.
Today's Quote
“Never settle for less than your dreams: somewhere, sometime, someday, somehow, you’ll find them.” — Danielle Steele
History and Origin of International Literacy Day
The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), established International Literacy Day as an annual event. The first celebration was on September 8, 1965. Accordingly, organizations promote this holiday around the world.
This Day in History
In addition to International Literacy Day, here are some other things that happened on this day:
Michelangelo’s Statue of David is unveiled. (1504)
Margaret Gorman of Washington, D.C. was crowned the first Miss America in Atlantic City, NJ. (1921)
Richard I, King of England – “Richard the Lion-Hearted” was born on this day in 1157.
Related Holidays
Additionally, people who like this holiday will also like:
More September 8 Holidays
Besides International Literacy Day, here are more September 8 holidays you will enjoy:
Date Nut Bread Day – or December 22!?
More About Today
Recipe of the Day: Banana Bread
Also See: Fall Recipes and Holiday Recipes
Flower of the Day: Dame’s Rocket
Ecards Send a free Ecard daily for just about any September calendar holiday, occasion, observance, or event. Or, just for the fun of it!
Holiday Insights, where every day in September is a holiday, a bizarre or wacky day, an observance, or a special event. Join us in the daily calendar fun each and every day of the year.
Did You Know? Furthermore, in addition to International Literacy Day, there are literally thousands of daily holidays, special events, and observances, more than one for every day of the year. Many of these holidays are new. People and organizations are creating new holidays on a regular basis. September holidays are no exception. Consequently, at Holiday Insights we take great efforts to thoroughly research and document the details of each one, as completely and accurately as possible.