About National DEAR Day
D.E.A.R. stands for Drop Everything And Read. National DEAR Day is a special reading celebration to remind and encourage families to make reading together on a daily basis a family priority.
This holiday is celebrated on Beverly Cleary’s birthday, author of Ramona Quimby, Age 8. In honor of the author and the joys of reading, celebrate this holiday by reading Ramona Quimby, Age 8 on D.E.A.R. Day.
When Beverly Cleary’s own children were young, they participated in DEAR at school. Their interest and enthusiasm for this special reading activity inspired Mrs Cleary to give the same experience to Ramona Quimby, who gets to enjoy DEAR time with the rest of her class in Ramona Quimby, Age 8.
Similar Observances
National Authors’ Day
Do the write thing! Why not celebrate National Author's Day by sending a thank you tweet to your favorite author?
Read More
Read More
American Education Week
An opportunity to celebrate public education and honor individuals who are making a difference in ensuring that every student receives a quality education.
Read More
Read More
Other Observances on April 12th 2026
Orthodox Easter 🥚
Easter is the most significant religious holiday for the world's roughly 300 million Orthodox Christians. In the bible, it is the day when Mary Magdalene found that an empty tomb in the cave in which Jesus has been placed after his crucifixion.
Read More
Read More
Cosmonautics Day
On April 12th 1961, Yuri Gagarin became the first human to orbit the Earth, opening a new chapter of human endeavour in outer space.
Read More
Read More
National Big Wind Day
National Big Wind Day marks the recording of the highest natural wind gust measured on the Earth’s surface on this day in 1934.
Read More
Read More
National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day 🥪
Celebrate National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day on April 12th, savoring the gooey goodness of a classic comfort food with endless creative twists.
Read More
Read More