__NOTOC__ UN English Day is observed annually on 23 April.UN launches new initiative to promote multilingualism. United Nations News Centre, 19 February 2010. Consulted on 2011-04-23. The event was established by UN's Department of Public Information in 2010 "to celebrate multilingualism and cultural diversity as well as to promote equal use of all six official languages throughout the Organization".Department of Public Information to Launch ‘Language Days at the United Nations’ United Nations, 19 February 2010
For the English Language Day, April 23 was chosen because it is the date "traditionally observed as both the birthday and date of death of William Shakespeare".Chindie Language Day, 1 April Other dates were selected for the celebration of the UN's other five official languages.
See also International Mother Language Day International observance Official languages of the United Nations UN Arabic Language Day UN Chinese Language Day UN French Language Day UN Portuguese Language Day UN Russian Language Day UN Spanish Language Day UN Swahili Language Day World Book Day
References
External links UN English Language Day Official Site UN marks English Day as part of celebration of its six official languages, United Nations News Centre, 23 April 2010