World Book Day is celebrated in the United Kingdom and Ireland as a localized version of the International World Book and Copyright Day, regulated by UNESCO for the encouragement and promotion of copyright, publishing, and reading. Since the global World Book Day is celebrated on 23 April, a local version was adopted in the UK and Ireland in order to prevent conflict with St George’s Day (also celebrated on 23rd April) and Easter school holidays.
It was celebrated for the first time in the UK in 1995 and later on, in 1998, it was formally launched by Tony Blair, the then prime minister. Millions of schoolchildren in the United Kingdom were given a special £1 voucher (€1.50 in Ireland), which they could redeem at any bookshop in the UK against any book. A special WBD (World Book Day) anthology, priced at £1, was also created and printed for the event. It was well-received by the public and over the years; it has grown enormously and is celebrated each year with great enthusiasm. In 2007, WBD celebrated its 10th anniversary by publishing 10 new books, each worth €1. Since then, every child enrolled in full-time education in the UK and Ireland is granted a €1 WBD voucher each year.
Every year, the number of children receiving the WBD token grows significantly and the event now encompasses several new initiatives such as ‘Books for Hospitals’, ‘Quick Reads Initiative’ (for adult readers), and ‘Spread the Word’.
The event is organized by World Book Day Ltd, a registered charity in the UK. Although it was launched by the Prime Minister, it does not receive any funding from the British government (except for the Quick Reads Initiative). The main sponsor of this charity event is National Book Tokens Ltd. Additionally, it receives financing from some literacy partnerships, participating booksellers, and contributing publishers.