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Apr 23, 1564
Date of Birth
William Shakespeare was born on April 2, 1564, as believed by scholars. His birth date is unknown, but we do know that he was baptized on April 26, 1564, in Stratford-Upon Avon. His accepted birth place is a house on Henley Street in Stratford, owned by William's father (Shakespeare-online.com). -
Jan 16, 1568
Eighty Years War Begins
The Eighty Years War took place from 1568-1648. It was the war of Netherlands independence from Spain. This event led to the separation of the northern and southern Netherlands and to the formation of the Dutch Republic. The Dutch Republic become a world power from this, exceeding in economy, culture, and science (britannica.com). -
Jan 1, 1569
Northern Rebellion
In 1569, the Northern Rebellion began when Catholics of the north of England rebelled. They wanted Mary Queen of Scots to have the throne, not Queen Elizabeth I. The rebels captured Durham, but were later beaten by the royal army. A great amount of them were executed (oxfordreference.com) -
Jul 20, 1580
Francis Drake Sails Around the World
Francis Drake sailed around the world from 1577-1580. He was sent on his journey by Queen Elizabeth II to South America in 1577. Francis came back on the Pacific, in 1580. He was the first Englishman to circumnavigate the globe (brebru.com). -
Shakespeare's First Poem
Shakespeare writes his first poem in 1582, about a mysterious "dark lady". However, it isn't discovered until about 30 years later. It becomes Shakespeare's sonnets, 127-154. The mysterious lady is indicated as Emilia Bassano Lanier (hudsonshakespeare.org) -
Spanish Armada Defeated
The Spanish Armada set sail from Lisbon, Spain in July 1588, with the plan of overthrowing Queen Elizabeth I and gaining Catholic rule over England. The fleet consisted of 130 ships carrying 2,500 guns, 8,000 seamen, and almost 20,000 soldiers. The Spanish were defeated by the English and were pushed as far as Scotland (history.com) -
Shakespeare Writes the Henry VI Trilogy
Shakespeare starts writing the Henry VI trilogy in 1590. It starts telling about the War of the Roses. Then the play follows the ups and downs of Joan of Arc and the tension between England and France. It is finished by 1592 (Shakespeare-online.com) -
Venus and Adonis is Published
Venus and Adonis was published by Shakespeare on April 18, 1593. The poem is a minor epic, a genre of writing popular in the 1590s that uses characters of a myth or legend. It is Shakespeare's most popular published work throughout his lifetime (folger.edu) -
Romeo and Juliet is Written
On March 2, 1594, Romeo and Juliet is written. The play is about two “star crossed lovers” named Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulets who fall in love, get married, and hang out secretly, even though their parents despise each other. At the end of the play, Juliet comes up with a scheme to act out her death, and it results in the death of both Romeo and her. This work of Shakespeare teaches the messages of fate, love, and sacrifice (folger.edu) -
Opening of the Globe Theatre
The Globe Theatre was built by the Lord Chamberlain's Men in Southwark in 1599. William Shakespeare owned 12.5% of the theatre, and many of his plays were performed there. His first was believed to be Julius Caesar, a famous tragedy of Shakespeare (Horizon Magazine 16-17). -
Jamestown Established
Jamestown is established on May 14,1607, by The Virginia Company of England. They made this journey to a mysterious island in honor of Queen Elizabeth I. Jamestown was the first permanent British settlement in North America. Captain John Smith became the leader of this colony and he kept it going (americaslibrary.gov). -
Shakespeare's Sonnets Published
Shakespeare's 154 sonnets were published on May 20, 1609, by Thomas Thorpe. They were named the Sonnets of Shakespeare, and were divided into 2 groups. 1-126 were about a friend and wealthy man, and 127-152 were about a "Dark Lady" ( Scribner 263). -
Santa Fe Founded
Santa Fe, New Mexico, was founded in 1610 by Spanish colonists. It is the oldest capital city in North America and has the highest elevation in the nation. This city became powerful for the Spanish Empire north of the Rio Grande (u-s-history.com). -
Shakespeare Retires
In 1613, William Shakespeare retires and returns to Stratford-upon-Avon. His last stage appearance was in late 1603. It is believed that he retires in order to leave the hectic London for the calm and comforting countryside with his family (Shakespeare-online.com). -
Globe Theatre Destroyed
On June 29, 1613, the Globe Theatre was destroyed by fire. Shakespeare was retired at this time, so he was not in the theatre but many other people were. During a performance of Henry V, a cannon exploded and caught the roof on fire. It spread quickly because the theatre was made of wood, causing panic and chaos (datesandevents.org). -
Shakespeare's Death
William Shakespeare passed away on April 23, 1616. It is believed that it occurred in New Place, his Stratford-Upon-Avon house. His cause of death is unknown, but many believe he was ill, based on his shaky signature a little while before. Shakespeare lived on in history way after his death, becoming an important figure in literature and language (Shakespeare-online.com)
