Spanish Language Day

Spanish Language Day History

Spanish Language Day seeks to increase awareness about the history, culture, and achievements of the Spanish language. Spanish is a Romance language, and it is the second most spoken language in the world. This day makes up one of six UN language days. The aim is to celebrate multilingualism and cultural diversity by exploring main languages.

Spanish Language Day was established in 2010 by the United Nations to promote the organizations six official languages. It is observed annually on April 23rd, a date coinciding with the death of Miguel de Cervantes. Cervantes is considered one of the greatest Spanish writers and is celebrated as a genius of Spanish letters. His most notable work is Don Quixote.

Top 10 Facts for Spanish Language Day in 2026

• The date for Spanish Language Day was specifically chosen by the United Nations to honor the legacy of Miguel de Cervantes, the author of the literary masterpiece Don Quixote, who was buried on this day in 1616.
• Coincidentally, the observance shares its date with the anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death, creating a unique global link between the most influential figures of the Spanish and English literary traditions.
• Spanish currently ranks as the second most spoken native language in the world, surpassed only by Mandarin Chinese, with a global community of speakers approaching 600 million.
• While Spain is the language's historical birthplace, Mexico is now the largest Spanish-speaking country by population, followed by the United States, which has more Spanish speakers than Spain itself.
• Approximately 8% of the Spanish vocabulary is derived from Arabic, a linguistic legacy of the centuries-long Moorish presence in the Iberian Peninsula that includes common words such as ojalá and azúcar.
• The letter ñ is the only character in the Spanish alphabet with origins specifically in Spain, evolving from 12th-century scribes who used a small mark called a virgulilla to represent a double "n" in Latin manuscripts.
• The first systematic study of the language was recorded in Gramática de la lengua castellana, published by Antonio de Nebrija in 1492, the same year as Christopher Columbus's first voyage to the Americas.
• The oldest known epic poem fully written in the language is the 13th-century work El Cantar de Mio Cid, which chronicles the exploits of the Castilian nobleman Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar.
• In Barcelona, the observance coincides with the vibrant festival of Sant Jordi's Day, a cultural tradition where the city streets are filled with the exchange of roses and books to celebrate both love and literature.
• Linguists often refer to Spanish by the honorific title la lengua de Cervantes to acknowledge the profound impact the author's work had on the development of the modern language.

In the News and Trending in the US for Spanish Language Day

Top things to do in the US for Spanish Language Day

• Watch the UN's webinar celebrating Spanish Language Day. The webinar focuses on raising awareness about gender-inclusive Spanish.
• Learn Spanish, enjoy Spanish food and culture, or read Spanish works of literature.
• Watch a movie highlighting Spanish culture or themes. Here are our suggestions:
  Pain and Glory (Dolor Y Gloria) (2019)
  Roma (2018)
  Pan's Labyrinth (El laberinto del fauno) (2006)

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