World Book Day, or World Book and Copyright Day, is an annual celebration of books and reading that UNESCO established on April 23, 1995. This event is observed in more than 100 countries around the globe. Every year, on April 23, people all over the world celebrate the joy of reading and its significance. This year, World Book Day 2024 will be celebrated on April 23, which is a Tuesday. This celebration aims to acknowledge the importance of books as a means of communication, connecting past, present, and future generations across cultures. Every year, UNESCO, along with international organisations representing publishers, bookstores, and libraries, selects a 'World Book Capital' city. The chosen city holds this title for a year and takes the lead in promoting World Book and Copyright Day through its programmes and initiatives. In this article, let's discover some really interesting facts about books and reading that you might want to know about! International Children's Book Day 2024 Date, Theme, Activities, History and Significance.

1. As of 1995, Guinness World Records estimated that the Bible has sold and distributed approximately 5 billion copies, making it the best-selling book of all time.

2. The Epic of Gilgamesh is known to be the oldest piece of literature. It features a mythical account of a historical figure. 5 Classic Books To Make Kids Fall in Love With Reading.

3. Enheduanna is believed to be the world's first-known author. She was a woman who lived in ancient Mesopotamia during the 23rd century BCE, which is estimated to be between 2285 and 2250 BCE.

4. In March 2021, N. Srinivasan from Chennai, India, achieved the Guinness World Record for the longest book title. The title contains 27,978 characters and 4,558 words, with a main header focusing on stock price prediction using various tools used by economists.

5. Kuthodaw Pagoda is a well-known religious site that is often referred to as the 'World's Largest Book'. The pagoda houses an impressive collection of 729 marble slabs, each of them inscribed with Buddhist teachings. These teachings, which are taken from the Tipitaka, are written on both sides of each slab, making the pagoda a vast repository of sacred texts. The slabs are housed in small white stupas, and the overall effect is truly awe-inspiring.

6. The Vedas are considered the oldest literature of the Indian subcontinent, dating back to the pre-Vedic period. It is the oldest layer of Sanskrit literature and believed to be the oldest scriptures of Hinduism

7. According to historians and linguists, Sumerian, Akkadian, and Egyptian are the oldest languages with a clear written record.

8. Studies have shown that reading is a highly effective way to reduce stress levels by up to 68%. It is a more effective method of stress reduction than many other popular techniques, such as listening to music or drinking tea.

9. The Library of Congress, located in Washington, D.C., USA, is the largest in the world and has acquired an impressive collection of approximately 195 million items. The collection includes over 70 million books and other printed materials, such as maps, films, and manuscripts.

10. Schwabe Verlag, located in Basel, Switzerland, is the world's oldest printing and publishing house. It is believed that Johannes Petri founded it after 1488, and it has remained an independent Swiss family business ever since.

In 1997, the U.K. and Ireland celebrated the first World Book Day. The primary aim of this day was to encourage young people to explore the joy of reading. Since then, World Book Day has become an annual event celebrated worldwide. The day serves as a reminder of the importance of reading and promotes literacy among children and adults alike.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 23, 2024 09:36 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).