New from H.W. Wilson: The International Book of Days
Companion to Classic American Book of Days Presents a Kaleidoscopic Tour of Holidays, Historical Events, and Commemorations Around the Globe

New York, New York, February 1, 2005
Every day of the year is the anniversary of some historical event that changed the world. Now, in the tradition of The American Book of Days, H.W. Wilson introduces The International Book of Days: engaging, informative articles on more than 1,500 of the most significant lives and events in world history, organized by day of the year.

Covering more than 125 countries, the new volume explores the origin and meaning of national and religious holidays; birthdays and achievements of history-making people; significant military engagements; founding of colonies and nations; patenting of important inventions; milestones in science, technology, and medicine; achievements in the arts and entertainment; and other pivotal historical events. Articles ranging from 200 to 1,000 words offer thorough explanation of events. Nearly 400 maps and photographs accompany the entries.

Outstanding Reference, Engaging Reading
From the Celtic holiday of Imbolic to Boris Yeltsin's birthday (both February 1st), from Lithuanian Independence Day to the day Fidel Castro became Premier of Cuba (both February 16th), and even February 29th—the culmination of the four-day-long Worldwide Leap Year Festival held by the Worldwide Leap Year Birthday Club—all 366 days of the calendar are represented by a diverse selection of holidays and anniversaries.

Accounts of such varied events as Julius Caesar's crossing of the Rubicon, the publication of The Communist Manifesto, the formation of the Arab League, and the celebration of Chakri Day in Thailand are elucidated in rich, lively entries that go far beyond the one-sentence summaries typical of other day books or online sources.

The volume is valuable for both historical and biographical reference. The lives of history-making individuals from Buddha to Isaac Newton to Michelangelo are highlighted in birthday or death date profiles, and other entries.

Cross-referencing to other articles in the book (and to The American Book of Days), along with an extensive index (more than 35 pages), make finding information easy. Six appendices complete the book: explanations of today's calendar and common era, an essay on the days of the week, and charters of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the North Atlantic Treaty.

Review copies of The International Book of Days are available to members of the working press.

889 pp. • 400 maps & photographs • ISBN 0-8242-0975-3 • $140 ($170 outside U.S. and Canada)