We all have a book that we just couldn’t put down, made us cry, or taught us a life lesson. It seems only fair that we’d recognize the authors behind those works.

The first of November was designated by the US Department of Commerce as National Author’s Day  in 1949. Nellie Verne Burt McPherson, president of the Bement (Illinois) Women’s Club, came up with the idea in 1928. You can read more about it here.

How can you celebrate this day?

• Send your favorite author the 21^st century equivalent of writing a letter and send and email or tweet
• Re-reading your favorite book
• Purchase a book for someone
• Start your own writing project—November 1^st is also the start of National Novel Writing Month.