On April 30, 1997, the first annual El Día de los ninos/El Día de los libros, was celebrated.  New Mexico’s governor issued a proclamation and Santa Fe’s mayor read her proclamation at Larragoite Elementary School at a reading by student writers.  Events were also held in cities including Tucson, El Paso, and Austin.

Every day is El día de los niños/El día de los libros, and on or near April 30th, we celebrate a year of promoting bookjoy, linking all children to books, languages and cultures. Día, now celebrated across the country, continues to grow and evolve. Some communities plan their events throughout the month of April or early May.