NATIONAL READ A BOOK DAY | SEPTEMBER 6
National Read a Book Day is observed annually on September 6th. On August 9th, we all celebrated National Book Lovers Day. While these bookish days may seem similar, National Read a Book Day invites us ALL to grab a book we might enjoy and spend the day reading.
Don’t keep it to yourself. Share the experience! Read aloud either to children or to grandparents. Read to your pets or to your stuffed animals and plants.
Reading improves memory and concentration as well as reduces stress. Older adults who spend time reading show a slower cognitive decline and tend to participate in more mentally stimulating activities over their lifetime. Books are an inexpensive entertainment, educational tool and time machine too!
Featured Books
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott – Set during the Civil War, Little Women follows the life of the March family. Loosely based on Alcott’s life, she cast herself as talented the Jo March.
David Copperfield by Charles Dickens – David Copperfield tells the story of a young boy’s life as he struggles to become a writer. From an abusive start and many trials, the author relays the memories of his life.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling – The 7th book in the Harry Potter series brings Harry, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger back to Hogwarts for a final standoff with Voldemort and his Deatheaters.
Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George – This is the story of nine-year-old Miyax and her transition from an Inuit culture to an American one in San Francisco.
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls – Loved by generations, this classic story tells of the bond between a boy and his dog in the Ozarks.
As Brave As You by Jason Reynolds – Set during a summer visit with grandparents, a young boy learns from his mistakes and about the imperfections of the people he loves.
HOW TO OBSERVE READ A BOOK DAY
Sit back, relax and read a book. Whether you prefer to escape into the world of fiction or learn something new, celebrate with your favorite books. Visit the library or the local book store. Pick up a new book or read an old favorite. Explore the past in history books and memoirs or dive into the mean of terrific poetry. Read aloud to a child or give them a new book. Share the stories you’re reading using #ReadABookDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL READ A BOOK DAY HISTORY
Our research was unable to find the origin of National Read A Book Day.
On September 6th Celebrated History
1892
An Iowa farmer, John Froelich, takes farming to a whole new level when he invents the first gasoline-powered tractor. He cobbled together parts from other machines, including a steam-powered engine to bring his invention to life. Once he did, he created the Waterloo Gasoline Traction Engine Company. On this day, he sold his first tractor.
1891
When a stabbing victim is brought to City Hospital in St. Louis, Henry C. Dalton saves his life. The Professor of Surgery at Marion Sims College of Medicine used a surgical suture on the pericardium saving the man’s life. The procedure is considered by many to be one of the very first heart surgeries.
1819
Many inventions contributed to mass production. One of those inventions was a lathe capable of copying a pattern. It was invented by Thomas Blanchard and he received the patent for his lathe on this day in history.
1839
The Cherokee Nation signs its constitution. Delegates from both the Old Settlers and the Ross Party signed the document. Some of the signers included John Ross, George Lowrey, Goingsnake, John Looney and Sequoyah.
1848
Frederick Douglas presides over the National Convention of Black Freeman. The three-day conference was held in Cleveland Ohio.
1899
In a facility located in Kent, Washington, the first cases of evaporated milk were produced. Called Carnation Sterilized Cream at the time, the product was produced by the Pacific Coast Condensed Milk Company which later became the Carnation Milk Company.
1901
Joining the crowds at Buffalo’s Pan-American Exposition, President William McKinley would greet his constituents one last time. Despite added security and Secret Service agents, Leon Czolgosz approached the President in the Temple of Music. The assassin raised his pistol, firing two shots into the President’s abdomen. McKinley died later that day and became the third assassinated U.S. President.
1916
Before Clarence Saunders opened his first Piggly Wiggly in 1916, grocery shopping was much like going to the pharmacy. Patrons took a list to the store and the grocer filled the order. But with the founding of Piggly Wiggly, the first self-service grocery opened in Memphis, Tennessee. Shoppers could browse at their leisure and find the items best suited to their needs. When they were ready, they brought the items to the clerk for payment.
1920
Around Detroit, pugilist fans gathered around their radios for the first-ever broadcast of a prizefight. Radio Station WWJ broadcast the event between Jack Dempsey and Billy Miske. The fight lasted three rounds when Miske dropped Dempsey with a KO.
1991
After 67 years, Leningrad changes its name back to St. Petersburg.
2009
The world’s largest paddling of ducks raced down the River Thames during the Great British Duck Race. The world record event raised money for several charities.
2010
The King’s Speech premieres at the Telluride Film Festival. Starring Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, and Helena Bonham Carter, the biographical film follows King George VI through his journey to overcome his stutter. The film would go on to win four Oscars and numerous other accolades.
September 6th Celebrated Birthdays
Marquis de Lafayette – 1757
The cunning and dedicated military leader became a fierce ally to the young United States. His support both on the battlefield and back in France made an indelible impact on the Revolutionary War.
Catherine Esther Beecher – 1800
Throughout her lifetime, Beecher promoted women’s education like no other. Her influence opened many schools for women, changing their scope of study for years to come. And while she was a pioneer in women’s education, especially subjects such as home economics and consumer sciences, Beecher believed a woman’s place was in the home – her education best equipped her for raising children and running a successful home. And while her sisters, Harriet Beecher Stowe and Isabella Beecher Hooker were solid suffragists, Catherine did not support the women’s right to vote.
James Melville Gilliss – 1811
During a time of great interest in astronomy, Gilliss led an expedition to Chile. He had joined the U.S. Navy at a young age, and he knew full well how vital accurate measurements were to navigation on the sea. His expedition focus on Venus as the planet crossed in front of the sun. The astronomical expedition, one of many around the globe, hoped to determine more accurately the distance between the Earth and the sun. That wasn’t all Gilliss observed. His vast collection of notes and observations provided a wealth of information.
John Henry Dallmeyer – 1830
Taking beautiful photographs is more than just knowledge and talent. Our equipment must function with precision. Dallmeyer brought his expertise in lens making to the photography world. He also designed telescope lenses. The inventor received several awards for his designs and improvements.
Jane Addams – 1860
Best known for her activism, Addams supported the settlement house movement, education for women, and the equal right to vote. Her efforts focused on the critical needs of those in the inner city. In 1931, she became the first American woman to be honored with the Nobel Peace Prize.
Wilson Greatbatch- 1919
Greatbatch’s most significant achievement was the development of the first implantable pacemaker. Not only did the engineer save millions of lives with his invention, but he also conducted research in other fields. With more than 325 inventions to his credit, it’s no surprise that he was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame.
Jo Anne Worley – 1937
The comedian found stardom on shows like Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In and Love, American Style. Her energetic and infectious personality fit the bill for big comedic roles, too.
Roger Waters – 1943
Best known as co-founder of Pink Floyd. The progressive rock band is notable for its albums such as The Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall. In 1983, Waters earned the British Academy of Film and Television Arts award “Best Original Song Written for a Film.” The song? “Another Brick in the Wall.”
Jane Curtin – 1947
Getting her big start on Saturday Night Live in 1975, Curtin would go on to numerous comedic successes. Television sitcoms like Kate & Allie and 3rd Rock from the Sun brought her more success her way, too.
Carly Fiorina – 1954
Breaking glass ceilings, Carly Fiorina became CEO of the Hewlett-Packard Company in 1999. Her achievement made her the first woman to lead a company listed on the Down Jones Industrial Average. But that wasn’t the first time she broke through. At AT&T she became the company’s first female officer. She also ran for president in 2015.
Elizabeth Vargas – 1962
As a journalist, Vargas anchored ABC’s World News Tonight and 2020 as well as several news specials. Her long career has gained her respect in the world of journalism.
Idris Elba – 1972
Elba’s acting career has taken him around the world in film and on television. One of his most notable roles was as a chief inspector in the show Luther.
