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International Literacy Day on September 8 is a day to celebrate the power of literacy and to bring awareness to its importance. This day has been celebrated since 1965, when UNESCO declared it as an international observance in order to promote reading and writing around the world. It's a great way for us all to recognize how far we've come in terms of education, and also help those who are still struggling with learning how to read or write basic skills.
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1965</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>UNESCO Makes Declaration</div><div class='timeline-text'>The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared September 8 as International Literacy Day.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1967</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Observance</div><div class='timeline-text'>Worldwide observances of International Literacy Day commence, demonstrating the importance globally of reading and writing skills.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2000</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Inclusion in Millennium Goals</div><div class='timeline-text'>Educational initiatives, including literacy, are included in the UN's eight Millennium Development Goals.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2015</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Literacy in Sustainable Goals</div><div class='timeline-text'>UNESCO highlighted literacy as an essential part of the Sustainable Development Goals, contributing to the eradication of poverty.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2020</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Pandemic Impact Spotlighted</div><div class='timeline-text'>Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, International Literacy Day highlighted the significance of digital literacy to ensure continuous learning in a difficult environmental context.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Organize a readathon</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather your friends, family and neighbors and organize a readathon. Have participants pledge to read for a certain amount of time or pages and then have them come together to celebrate their accomplishments and discuss what they've read.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Donate books</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Find your local library or community center that accepts book donations and donate some of your old books. You can also support literacy by donating new books to underprivileged schools in your area.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Visit a bookstore</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Head out to your favorite bookstore and browse around for new titles that pique your interest. You'll be helping support local businesses as well as promoting literacy.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Learn a new language</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Learning a new language is a great way to improve literacy skills. Find resources online or take an actual language course so you can start reading, writing, and speaking in another language.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Volunteer at a library</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Libraries offer many volunteer opportunities from helping with story time to teaching adults how to use computers. Volunteering at libraries helps promote the importance of reading and literacy in general.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It promotes literacy education</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>International Literacy Day is an important opportunity to raise awareness for the need for literacy education around the world. This day serves as a reminder that literacy skills are essential to empower individuals with the knowledge and skills they need to improve their lives.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It increases access to information</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>By promoting access to books, magazines, newspapers, and other reading material, International Literacy Day helps individuals gain access to information about health, disease prevention, economic opportunities, and more. This access of power gives people the ability to make changes in their own lives or community.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It empowers future generations</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>By encouraging literacy programs around the world, International Literacy Day gives younger generations the skills needed to succeed in school and beyond. It is also an opportunity for parents and educators to help foster a culture of lifelong learning, which can create positive outcomes throughout society.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Over 775 million adults globally lack basic literacy skills</h3><p class='facts-content'>According to UNESCO, a large population of the world's adults are illiterate, with most being women and girls. This underscores the importance of literacy programs and celebrations like International Literacy Day.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Approximately 250 million children lack basic reading and writing skills</h3><p class='facts-content'>Despite the progress made in literacy development over the years, millions of children worldwide still lack basic reading and writing skills, making them less likely to achieve their full potential.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Literacy rates are improving, but at a slow pace</h3><p class='facts-content'>Global literacy rates have been increasing over the years, but not at a pace quick enough to ensure that everyone gains these critical skills within a generation. Efforts are ongoing to speed up this process.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Digital literacy is becoming increasingly important</h3><p class='facts-content'>In our modern age, digital literacy - the ability to navigate the internet, understand digital content and engage online - is becoming as essential as traditional reading and writing skills.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>National Laws can impact literacy rates</h3><p class='facts-content'>Countries with legislation that supports the right to education tend to have higher literacy rates, demonstrating the power of legal mechanisms in promoting literacy.</p></div></div>
International Literacy Day is celebrated on September 8 every year. In 2024, International Literacy Day will occur on a Sunday.
2023
Sep 8
Friday
2024
Sep 8
Sunday
2025
Sep 8
Monday
2026
Sep 8
Tuesday
2027
Sep 8
Wednesday
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