I know, I know. I’m writing about reading again. Because it’s important, and it is that deep. And it just so happens that every year on September 8, the world celebrates International Literacy Day — a day dedicated to recognizing the importance of literacy and the enormous impact reading and writing have on individuals, communities, and societies.

International Literacy Day was established by UNESCO in 1966 and first observed in 1967. Its purpose was to highlight literacy as a fundamental human right and an essential part of creating healthy, educated, and equitable communities.

Nearly 60 years later, that mission is still incredibly important — perhaps especially here in the United States.
We Have a Literacy Problem

When we hear the word literacy, we often think about whether someone can read at all. But literacy is about much more than recognizing words on a page. True literacy means being able to understand, evaluate, and use the information we read.

And the latest U.S. data are concerning.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the percentage of U.S. adults ages 16-65 performing at the lowest levels of literacy increased from 19% in 2017 to 28% in 2023. That means more than one in four adults struggled with reading tasks beyond the most basic level.

Low literacy can make everyday tasks more difficult — from understanding workplace instructions and government forms to interpreting news, comparing information, or following written directions.

And these challenges don’t begin in adulthood.
Building Strong Readers Starts Early

Reading is the foundation for learning across virtually every subject. Children who struggle with reading can quickly become discouraged and begin avoiding books, which gives them fewer opportunities to build vocabulary, fluency, background knowledge, and comprehension.

That’s why encouraging children to read early — and helping them find books they actually want to read — is so important.

For reluctant readers, a graphic novel counts. A comic counts. A magazine counts. An audiobook can count, too. The goal isn’t to force a child to love a particular kind of book. The goal is to help them discover that reading can be enjoyable, interesting, and useful.

And one of the simplest things adults can do is let children see us reading, too.
Literacy Is Everyone’s Responsibility

International Literacy Day isn’t only about teachers.

It isn’t only about schools.

And it certainly isn’t only about children who are struggling.

Parents, grandparents, caregivers, librarians, educators, community organizations, and all of us have a role in creating a culture that values literacy.

We can encourage children to read.

We can make books available.

We can talk about stories.

We can read ourselves.

We can support our schools and libraries.

And we can stop treating reading as merely another academic requirement and start recognizing it for what it really is: a life skill.

Because when someone can read well, they have more choices.

They can learn independently. They can question information. They can advocate for themselves. They can navigate the world with greater confidence. They can continue learning long after they leave the classroom.

That is why International Literacy Day matters.

And in 2026, with the latest U.S. data showing a troubling increase in the number of adults performing at the lowest levels of literacy, it matters more than ever.

So this September 8, celebrate International Literacy Day by doing something simple.

Read a book. Give a child a book. Visit your library. Read with someone. Recommend a favorite story.

And, perhaps most importantly, remember that every strong reader starts somewhere.

Sometimes, all it takes is finding the right book.