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Shakespeare Day

Celebrate Shakespeare Day with a bang! Read your favorite sonnet, watch a Shakespeare play, or visit the birthplace of the Bard - all from the comfort of home!
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When it is?
April 23
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Country
International
Introduction

Get ready to celebrate Shakespeare Day on April 23! This special day honors the life and works of one of the most influential authors in history, William Shakespeare. Born in 1564 and having passed away in 1616, Shakespeare wrote 37 plays and 154 sonnets that are still studied today by people all over the world. He revolutionized language with his lyrical writing style, creating some of the most iconic phrases ever uttered.

History of Shakespeare Day

Shakespeare Day Dates

Shakespeare Day Timeline

<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1564</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>William Shakespeare's Birth</div><div class='timeline-text'>Born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, William Shakespeare would grow up to revolutionize English literature and drama.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1599</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Construction of the Globe Theatre</div><div class='timeline-text'>Supported by his acting company, The Lord Chamberlain's Men, Shakespeare builds the Globe Theatre in London, a major venue for his plays.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1616</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Shakespeare's Death</div><div class='timeline-text'>Shakespeare passes away on his assumed birthday, April 23, at the age of 52, but his works continue to be cherished and celebrated.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1623</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Publication of The First Folio</div><div class='timeline-text'>The First Folio, which is the first collected edition of Shakespeare's plays, is published by John Heminges and Henry Condell.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1769</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Shakespeare Jubilee</div><div class='timeline-text'>Actor David Garrick organizes the first Shakespeare Jubilee in Stratford-upon-Avon, celebrating Shakespeare's legacy.</div></div></div>

How to Celebrate Shakespeare Day

<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'>Read a Shakespeare Play</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Start with one of the most popular plays like Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, or Macbeth. Reading the works of Shakespeare is a great way to get to know him better.</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'>Attend a live performance</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>If you are lucky enough to have access to a nearby theater that puts on Shakespeare plays, it's a great experience to attend a live show. If not, there are many touring companies performing all over the country.</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'>Visit a historic site</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Head to Stratford Upon Avon, England and visit Shakespeare's birthplace. You can take a tour of his home and learn about the life and works of The Bard.</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 an adaptation</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Rent or stream 10 Things I Hate About You or any other adaptation of one of Shakespeare's plays. It's a fun way to explore the stories in modern form.</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'>Host a movie night</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Invite your friends over for movie night and watch one of the classic adaptations like Kenneth Branagh's Henry V or Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet.</p></div></div>

Why We Love Shakespeare Day

<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'>Shakespeare's plays are timeless classics</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>William Shakespeare wrote some of the most beloved and well-known plays of all time. Whether it's "Romeo and Juliet," "Hamlet" or "Macbeth," these pieces have stood the test of time and remain relevant and compelling centuries later. It's no surprise that these classic stories continue to inspire and entertain audiences around the world today!</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'>Shakespeare had a profound impact on English literature</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>No matter where you look, it's impossible to ignore the influence of William Shakespeare on English literature. His works laid the foundation for so much of the language and structure we use today, which is why he is often considered one of the greatest writers in history.</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'>Shakespeare touched our emotions</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>The beauty of Shakespeare's writing lies in its ability to speak directly to our hearts. Through his words, he conveys messages about love, loss, friendship and betrayal that still resonate with us centuries later. This is why his legacy will never be forgotten - his plays give us an insight into our own lives and remind us of what it feels like to be human.</p></div></div>

5 Astonishing Discoveries for Shakespeare Day

<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Shakespeare is credited with adding new words to the English language</h3><p class='facts-text'>Over the centuries, phrases from his plays have been adopted into everyday usage, and it's estimated that he coined and introduced nearly 1,700 words to the English language.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Shakespeare's works have been translated into every major living language</h3><p class='facts-text'>His influence is not just confined to English; his works have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Shakespeare wrote a collection of sonnets besides his plays</h3><p class='facts-text'>In addition to his 37 plays, Shakespeare authored a collection of 154 sonnets and several narrative poems. These works further demonstrate his mastery of language and depth of emotion.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Shakespeare's plays are divided into three main categories</h3><p class='facts-text'>They are traditionally divided into three categories: comedies, which often involve love and misunderstandings; tragedies, dealing with heartbreaking themes and noble characters; and histories, which are chronicling events from English history.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Shakespeare's descendants are still alive today</h3><p class='facts-text'>Though William Shakespeare has no direct descendants (his last granddaughter, Elizabeth Barnard, died childless), there are still relatives alive today who trace their lineage back to his sister, Joan.</p></div></div>

Shakespeare Day FAQs

When is Shakespeare Day?

Shakespeare Day is celebrated on April 23 every year. In 2024, Shakespeare Day will occur on a Tuesday.

Shakespeare Day Dates

Year
Date
Day

2023

Apr 23

Sunday

2024

Apr 23

Tuesday

2025

Apr 23

Wednesday

2026

Apr 23

Thursday

2027

Apr 23

Friday

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