Every year, Dictionary Day is celebrated across the world, especially in the United States of America (USA), on October 16. The special day celebrates the birth of Noah Webster, an American writer who was born in 1758. Webster, an American lexicographer, grammarian, and language reformer, is popular for his work in creating the first American dictionary, ‘An American Dictionary of the English Language’. The dictionary is said to have been published as the first dictionary in 1806. As per records, he continued to compile it for the next 27 years. The day honours Webster’s efforts in standardizing American English. Webster was born on October 16, 1758, in Hartford, Connecticut. His ‘Blue-backed Speller’ books taught five generations of American children how to spell and read. As Dictionary Day 2023 nears, here’s all you need to know about the history and significance of the day.

Dictionary Day 2023 Date

Dictionary Day 2023 will be celebrated on Monday, October 16.

Dictionary Day Significance

Dictionary Day is a perfect opportunity to pay tribute to Noah Webster for creating the first American dictionary. Webster's name has become synonymous with ‘dictionary’ in the United States, especially the modern Merriam-Webster dictionary, first published in 1828. On Dictionary Day, people often take the opportunity to appreciate the importance of dictionaries in education and communication. The day is a gentle reminder to people of the world to appreciate the valuable role that dictionaries play in our daily lives. It's a day to celebrate the richness and diversity of the English language and to acknowledge the ongoing work of scholars who contribute to the development of the English language.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 16, 2023 06:57 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).