International Plain Language Day

Every year on 13 October, we celebrate clear communication and the people who make information easy to find, understand and use. In any language.

Understanding is a right

Plain language means people can find what they need, understand what they find and use that information. When a letter, form or law is clear, people can act on it. When it is not, they get stuck, make mistakes or give up.

International Plain Language Day is our yearly reminder that clear information is not a favour. Everyone has the right to understand.

Celebrate the people

We thank the writers, editors, designers, trainers, researchers and public servants who make information clear, often with little recognition.

Raise the demand

Our founders started the day so that more people would expect plain language, and ask for it. That is still the goal.

Protect the progress

Laws, standards and guidance have come a long way. Progress can still be lost if nobody speaks up for it.

Why October 13?

On 13 October 2010, United States President Barack Obama signed the Plain Writing Act of 2010 into law. The Act requires US federal agencies to write documents for the public in clear, concise and well-organised language.

PLAIN’s founders, Cheryl Stephens and Kate Harrison Whiteside, saw the moment. They had started the international plain language network in the early 1990s, using only email and web pages. Now they proposed a day to celebrate plain language around the world, on the anniversary of the Act.

The first International Plain Language Day took place on 13 October 2011. Plain language professionals in Sweden, the UK, Canada, the US, Australia, New Zealand, India, Africa and across Europe supported it with events and contests.

One law, in one country, in one language, started something much bigger.

Read the Plain Writing Act of 2010

  1. Early 1990s

    Cheryl Stephens and Kate Harrison Whiteside start the international plain language network.

  2. 13 October 2010

    President Obama signs the Plain Writing Act

    Representative Bruce Braley introduced the bill (H.R. 946). It becomes Public Law 111-274.

  3. 13 October 2011

    The first International Plain Language Day

    Plain language advocates mark the Act's first anniversary around the world.

  4. June 2023

    ISO publishes the first international plain language standard, ISO 24495-1.

  5. 2024

    PLAIN marks 30 years. Half of our members now work in languages other than English.

  6. 2025

    Part 2 of the ISO standard, for legal writing, is celebrated at the Brussels Plain Language Experience. PLAIN now has members in 48 countries.

International Plain Language Day 2026

Tuesday 13 October. Celebrate clear communication, in any language.

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Find out how to take part

How to take part

You do not need a big budget. Pick one idea and make something clearer on 13 October.

Tag PLAIN on LinkedIn so we can share what you do.

01

Share a message in your language

Post about plain language in your own language and use #PlainLanguageDay. Translate our message, or write one that sounds better.

02

Show a before and after

Rewrite one letter, form or web page. Share the original and the clear version side by side.

03

Learn something new

Watch a PLAIN webinar, read the eJournal, or test your own writing against the principles in the ISO plain language standard.

04

Thank someone

Tell a colleague whose clear writing helped you. Recognising good work is part of the day.

IPLDay 2025

Celebrate with people who speak your language

PLAIN brings together plain language supporters, practitioners and professionals from around the world. Join us, and find colleagues near you.