The United Nations launched Spanish Language Day in 2010 as part of an initiative honoring its six official languages. April 23 was chosen to coincide with the anniversary of the death of the great Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes, author of "Don Quixote," widely regarded as one of the most important works in world literature — the same date the world marks World Book Day. The day celebrates linguistic and cultural diversity within the United Nations and highlights Spanish as the world's second most widely spoken native language, and an official language in more than twenty countries across several continents. It also spotlights the rich literary and cultural heritage of the Spanish-speaking world, from classical literature to contemporary Latin American writing. UN offices and cultural institutes worldwide mark the day with literary and musical events, readings from the works of Cervantes and prominent Spanish and Latin American writers, alongside educational activities encouraging people to learn Spanish.