Read Across America Day

Read Across America Day, observed March 2nd, is an annual literacy initiative encouraging children to develop a love of reading, established by the National Education Association (NEA) in 1998. The date was chosen to coincide with the birthday of Theodor Seuss Geisel, the author and illustrator known as Dr. Seuss, born March 2, 1904, whose whimsical, rhyming children's books, including "The Cat in the Hat," "Green Eggs and Ham," and "Oh, the Places You'll Go!," have introduced generations of children to reading through playful language and imaginative illustrations. For many years, the day was closely branded around Dr. Seuss's characters and imagery, with schools hosting Seuss-themed reading events, costume days, and visits from characters like the Cat in the Hat. In more recent years, the NEA has broadened the observance's focus toward a more diverse range of children's authors and books, responding to ongoing conversations about representation in children's literature and some concerns raised about outdated or insensitive imagery in a small number of Dr. Seuss's earlier works. Regardless of its exact framing each year, the day's core goal remains constant: getting kids excited about reading. On Read Across America Day, schools, libraries, and families celebrate with special reading events, guest readers, and book-focused activities.