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World Book and Copyright Day is celebrated worldwide on April 23 each year. 

April 23 is a symbolic date for world literature for on this date in 1616, Cervantes, Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega all died. It is also the date of birth or death of other prominent authors such as Maurice Druon, Halldór Laxness, Vladimir Nabokov, Josep Pla and Manuel Mejía Vallejo.

It was a natural choice for UNESCO's General Conference, held in Paris in 1995, to pay a world-wide tribute to books and authors on this date, encouraging everyone, and in particular young people, to discover the pleasure of reading and gain a renewed respect for the irreplaceable contributions of those who have furthered the social and cultural progress of humanity. In 1995, UNESCO decided that the World Book and Copyright Day would be celebrated on this date.

It is observed by millions of people in over 100 countries, including Armenia, in hundreds of voluntary organizations, schools, public bodies, professional groups and private businesses. 

Armenia also celebrates Book Giving Day on February 19, the birthday anniversary of renowned Armenian writer Hovhannes Tumanyan.