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Get ready to celebrate all the amazing people named William on National William Day on October 28! This holiday was first created to honor the name "William", which has been a popular name for centuries and has roots in many different cultures. Fun fact: the name William means "protector" or "resolute protector". So if you know someone named William, make sure to show them some extra love and appreciation on this special day. Whether it's your friend, family member, or significant other, take the time to celebrate their unique qualities and all they bring to your life.
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1066</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>William the Conqueror</div><div class='timeline-text'>William the Conqueror, also known as William I, becomes King of England, solidifying the name William's association with leadership.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1757</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Birth of William Blake</div><div class='timeline-text'>Poet and painter William Blake is born. He would later become one of England's most iconic writers and artists.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1833</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Birth of William Gedney Bunce</div><div class='timeline-text'>American landscape painter, William Gedney Bunce, is born. He becomes known as for his Venetian-themed works.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1865</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Death of William Quantrill</div><div class='timeline-text'>William Quantrill, notorious Confederate guerrilla leader during the American Civil War, dies this year.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1940</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Birth of William Reid</div><div class='timeline-text'>William Reid, pivotal member of the British rock band "The Jesus and Mary Chain," is born.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a William-themed party</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Invite all your friends named William and have a party in their honor! Decorate with William-inspired decorations and have William-themed games and activities.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Try out a new William-inspired recipe</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Search for dishes that have the name William in them, such as William's Chicken Alfredo or William's Beef Stroganoff. Get creative in the kitchen and celebrate with a delicious meal.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create a William Day scavenger hunt</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Hide trivia questions or facts about famous people named William around your house or neighborhood. Have your friends compete to see who can find and answer the most questions correctly.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Watch movies or TV shows featuring characters named William</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather your friends and have a movie or TV marathon featuring characters with the name William. Some options could include William Shakespeare, Prince William, or William Wallace.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create a William Day playlist</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Compile a playlist of songs that have the name William in the title or artist's name. Play it throughout the day to celebrate all the amazing people named William.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a day to celebrate your name</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>National William Day is a special holiday for all the people named William. It's a day to embrace and appreciate your unique name and all the characteristics and qualities that come with it.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a chance to connect with others who share your name</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>On National William Day, you may come across other people with the same name as you. It's an opportunity to bond over your shared name and potentially make new friends or connections.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>William is a strong and timeless name</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>The name William has been around for centuries and has stood the test of time. It's a classic and powerful name that has been held by many influential figures throughout history. National William Day is a celebration of this enduring name and all those who bear it.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>William is one of the most popular royal names</h3><p class='facts-content'>With several kings and princes bearing the name, William is among the most commonly used names in royal circles across Europe, bolstering its association with power and leadership.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The name William has significant presence in the literature world</h3><p class='facts-content'>Over the centuries, writers bearing the name William - including the likes of William Shakespeare, William Wordsworth, William Faulkner and William Golding – have greatly influenced literature across different periods and genres.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>William is an international name</h3><p class='facts-content'>The name William has variants in several languages, including Guillermo in Spanish, Wilhelm in German, and Guglielmo in Italian. This makes it a truly international name!</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Many American presidents were named William</h3><p class='facts-content'>In the history of the United States, there have been four presidents with the first name William - William Henry Harrison, William McKinley, William Howard Taft, and William Clinton.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>William in the world of technology</h3><p class='facts-content'>Many notable figures in the tech industry are named William (or Bill), including Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, PayPal co-founder Bill Harris, and Google’s Chief Internet Evangelist, Vint Cerf, whose real name is Vinton Gray Cerf but is often known as Bill.</p></div></div>
National William Day is celebrated on October 28th every year. In 2024 National William Day will occur on a Monday.
2023
Oct 28
Saturday
2024
Oct 28
Monday
2025
Oct 28
Tuesday
2026
Oct 28
Wednesday
2027
Oct 28
Thursday
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