Month-long awareness observance in March promoting literacy and the joy of reading among children and communities.
Last updated February 26, 2026 · by the
Holiday Calendar Team
The National Education Association launched its Read Across America program in 1998, centering celebrations on March 2 (Dr. Seuss's birthday) and extending literacy promotion throughout March as National Reading Month, with the goal of motivating children to read.
It's time to get excited for National Reading Month on March 1! This day was created to celebrate the importance of reading, and it has been around since the late 1980s. It's a great opportunity to explore new genres, pick up an old favorite book, or just spend some quality time with your favorite characters. Not only is reading beneficial for our mental health, but it can also help us become better informed about the world around us. So let's dust off those bookshelves and dive into a good book this month!
TIMELINE
GET INVOLVED
EDITOR'S PICK
HOST
VISIT
VOLUNTEER
LISTEN
WHY THIS DAY MATTERS
Being able to read opens up the ability to engage in meaningful conversations with others. It allows us to express our thoughts and feelings in an articulate manner and build strong relationships by understanding each other better.
Reading is an important skill that everyone should have the opportunity to learn and practice. National Reading Month is a great way to promote reading and encourage more people to pick up a book, whether it's for pleasure or education.
Reading can open our minds to creative new ideas and ways of thinking. By exposing ourselves to different genres and viewpoints, we are able to gain insight into topics we may not have otherwise considered and potentially find solutions to everyday problems.
An awareness observance in March promoting reading and writing skills and celebrating the joy of books to support lifelong literacy.
A cultural observance on March 2 promoting reading and literacy among children and teens, celebrating the joy and importance of diverse books.
Get ready to curl up with a good book because it's National Book Month! Discover new stories, authors, and genres all month long.
A cultural observance on March 19 promoting reading aloud to children to foster literacy, imagination, vocabulary, family bonds, and a love of books.
