National Author’s Day

Happy National Author’s Day!  Today celebrates American authors and the books they write.

Some records show that in 1928, Nellie Verne Burt McPherson had an idea of setting aside a day to celebrate American authors. McPherson wrote a fan letter to fiction writer, Irving Bacheller, telling him how much she enjoyed reading his story. Upon receiving her letter, Bacheller sent her an autographed copy of another story.  McPerson decided to show her appreciation by submitting an idea for a National Author’s Day to the General Federation of Women’s Clubs. They passed a resolution declaring November 1 as a day to honor American writers.

About 20 years later, the United States Department of Commerce recognized this day in 1949 and we have celebrated it since then.

So, celebrate authors today by purchasing one of their books or checking one out of the library. You can also write (or tweet) them a thank you for their stories.