Icelandic Language Day, observed every November 16, commemorates the birth anniversary of Jónas Hallgrímsson, a prominent Icelandic poet and one of the founders of the Icelandic-language journal Fjölnir, which promoted Icelandic nationalism. The holiday, first celebrated in 1996, aims to highlight the importance of protecting the Icelandic language, which is regulated by the Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies. Cultural events are held across Iceland, where the majority of the 330,000 speakers reside, and the Ministry of Culture, Science and Education awards the Jónas Hallgrímsson Award to individuals who contribute to the language's protection and development. Icelandic is also spoken by communities in Denmark, the United States, and Canada.