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Apr 23, 1564
Shakespeare is born.
William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-Upon-Avon, England on April 23rd, 1564 (Fox 27). Although some may argue that this is not his real date of birth, it has been accepted among historians as his birthday. (Mabillard). He was bron to parents John and Mary Shakespeare. They were not particular wealthy, however they did have a stable supply of money until John fell behind on his taxes at the time whcih William was about 10 or 12 years old. -
Apr 26, 1564
Baptism of William Shakespeare.
During Shakespeare's time, the baptism of a child was usually three days after birth or the next Sunday after the child's birth. (Frye 6). Although some arfue about the date of his birth, many historians take into consideration the day he was baptized, allowing them to assume his birthday was three days prior. A baptism was very importnat for children in the 1500's. (Frye 7) -
Jan 1, 1567
Rio de Janeiro Founded (World Event)
The Portuguese founded Rio de Janeiro in 1567. Before they could settle there however, they had to first oust the french people who were living there. (History Central) -
Jan 1, 1571
Shakespeare enters the Stratford School of Grammar.
When Shakespeare was 6 or 7 years old, he was admitted into the Stratford School of Grammar. Not many people at this time were educated, making this an even more significant event in his life. (Frye 10) This is where Shakespeare would learn latin, grammar, and how to read/write, which would come in handy in later years when he began to write plays. -
Jan 1, 1572
First recorded supernova (World Event)
Tycho Brache observed the first Supernova in 1572. He was able to go into great depths about the supernova and was very informed on it. He concluded it was beyond the moon. Also, he created a star guide that is still used today (History Central) -
Nov 1, 1577
Francis Drake Circles Globe
In 1577, Francis Drake began his sail around the world. Drake was well liked by Queen Elizabeth, who initially sent him on the trip. He was the very first person to sail around the world. When he returned to England, he was dubbed as Knight by Queen Elizabeth. (Francis Drake Biography) -
Ivan the Terrible dies (World Event)
Russian Czar Ivan the Terrible dies. He was 53 at the time of his death, and had ruled russia for 34 years. His son Fedor Ivanovich takes over after this point. (History Central) -
Shakespeare goes to London
In early 1585, William Shakespeare left his family and home in Stratford and went to london to pursue his career as an actor/playwright. Theater was not a career that many people did not think highly of, ("About the Author") so it is significant that Shakespeare would actually leave his wife Anne and children to become an actor. -
British and Spanish war on the Atlantic
Spain was sent by King Phillip II of Spain to swarm the seas of the British Isles. Queen Elizabeth was queen of England at this time. Although they both put up a good fight, the British defeated the Spanish overall. (Hickman) -
Henry VI is written.
This is the year in which most people believe that "Henry V1" was written. If the above statement is true as most historians belive it to be, it would make this Shakespeare's first written play.This is significant because it is the start of a career that will make Shakespeare remembered for many years. -
Named as shareholder of the Globe Theater
After a few years of writing plays and performing them, Shakespeare became part owner of the Globe Theater, a theater in London where most of the production of his plays took place. (Fox 9) This was a very significant time in his life, because although he was never extremely poor, he was able to become increasingly wealthy and move up to a higher ranking socail class, something that did not happen oftern, especially in the theater business. -
Gunpowder Plot (World Event)
The Gunpowder Plot was a plan made by citizens of England. It was a plan devised to blow up Parliament, including King James. It is believed to be the first bomb threat in history (Gunpowder Plot). the account of the plot is in a letter that was discovered by King James, which was intentionally written for Sir Charles Cornwallis. -
Jamestown is settled.
King James I grants the London Company a charter to settle in the southern part of America. This was the first permanent settlement in America. (History Central) -
Shakespeare returns to Stratford
After many years of theater (both acting and writing) Shakespeare finally retired and returned home to his family in Stratford Upon Avon. ("About the author") He was almost 50 at the time. Due to his successes in the theatrical world, he was able to spend his last years with money to his name, owning multpile pieces of property. -
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Kalamar War
The Danish declare war on Sweden. The danes capture the Swedish frontier Alvsborg. The war ends with the Treaty of Knaerod in 1613. -
Shakespeare dies.
On april 23rd, 1616, exactly 52 after he was born. He was buried in the Holy Trinity Church cemetery. Thoughts of moving him to be buried in Westminster Abbey arose in the early 1700's but were then decided against ("Abbey Memorial"). SHakespeare's gravestone is one that many belive was written by William himself. it reads:
"Good friend for jesus sake forbear
to dig the dust enclosed here!
Blest be the man that spares these bones
And curst be he that moves my bones." ("About the Author") -
First Folio of his works
The first folio of Shakespeare's works was published in 1623, only seven years after he had died. Two close friends and and fellow actors of Shakespeare's edited and published the folio. Some of his works were published before, however they were insufficiently edited, which is why many histosrians consider this to be the first published works of his.
