International Read an eBook Day

International Read an Ebook Day is dedicated to celebrating the convenience and joy of reading e-books. The modern world creates new trends: while books were once only available in print and took up space, now you can access any book with just a few clicks. The holiday is observed on September 18.

History

International Read an Ebook Day was first celebrated in 2014. It was organized by OverDrive, a major e-book distributor. If you have ever borrowed or purchased an e-book, there is a good chance it was offered through OverDrive.

The history of the e-book dates back to 1971, long before smartphones or modern computers existed. Michael Hart, a student at the University of Illinois, connected to one of the earliest computer networks. Believing in the future of digital reading, he decided to digitize more than 10,000 classic works of literature.

The first electronic text published was the Declaration of Independence, followed by the digitization of various books. Until 1989, all the work was done manually. After the invention of scanners and specialized software, the process became much easier, helping e-books gain global popularity.

Interesting Facts

• The most popular e-book format is EPUB.
• Reading a book in any format can reduce stress levels by up to 68 percent.

How to Take Part

International Read an Ebook Day is a perfect time to purchase or borrow some e-books and enjoy them in a cozy atmosphere. Congratulate friends and family by gifting them a digital book or two.

Discover more about the history of e-books. Create a social media post about your first experience reading an e-book and share your impressions.

When is International Read an Ebook Day in 2025?

International Read an Ebook Day is observed on September 18 each year.

Observations