Q.210

UNESCO, the UN body that promotes science and culture among other noble pursuits, celebrates the 23rd of April each year as World Book and Copyright Day. The day sees events dedicated to reading and book publishing, while also creating awareness about copyright issues.

The choice of the day was primarily because two authors died on this day. Today's question relates to both of them. Incidentally, this day is also associated with the birth and death of other literary figures. For instance, Vladimir Nabokov was born on this day.

Q1 The association of this day with books began in Spain because a leading Spanish writer died this day in 1616. Who was he?

Q2. Coincidentally, Shakespeare's death also happened on 23rd April 1616. However, that's not quite true. How?

Questions triggered by this Tender Leaves post

[+ Show Answer]

A1. Miguel de Cervantes, whose most famous work is Don Quixote

A2. England was still following the Julian calendar, unlike Spain which had moved to the Gregorian system. So Shakespeare actually died 10 days later.