English Language Day 2025: Know All About The Date, Origin, History, And Significance

English Language Day 2025: 23 April is observed as the English Language Day annually to celebrate the significance and beauty of the English language. The day marks the birth and death anniversary of William Shakespeare, whose contribution to the language, its evolution, and vocabulary is immense. In this article, we take you through the origin, history, and significance of the English Language Day. 

Origin 

The origin of the English Language Day, or the United Nations English Language Day, started in 2010 when the UN decided to dedicate a day for each of its official languages. The UN’s Department of Global Communication took the initiative to have a language day for each of the organisation's official languages. The UN has six official languages, including Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish. Each language day, including the English Language Day, aims to promote cultural diversity and multilingualism. 

History

The date 23 April was chosen to celebrate the English Language Day because it coincides with the death and birth anniversary of the great bard, William Shakespeare, whose literary works influenced the language and made it popular across the nations. 

Shakespeare is the most celebrated playwright and poet of the time, and is known as the greatest contributor to modern English. Words like ‘gossip’ and ‘fashion’ to phrases like ‘break the ice’ and ‘love is blind’ have all been a brainchild of the great bard.

Significance 

English stands as the most popular language across the world, acting as a bridge between different nations, ethnicities, and cultures. It holds a unique position in global communication, including diplomacy, education, entertainment, and business. 

English is the common thread tying millions of people together in a beautiful garland of diversity. As one of the most common speaking languages in the world, English has evolved from being perceived as the language of the oppressors to the language of the masses used for their unique and diverse expression.