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Mar 23, 1564
Will is born
William Shakespeare was born in 1564 in Stratford upon-Avon, a market town in a farming area of the
Midlands. About 1000 people lived there. Shakespeare
was baptized on 26th April 1564, but we don’t know his
exact date of birth. -
Jul 24, 1567
James I
On July 24, 1567 James I was crowned as the King of Scotland, at the age of 1. James also became the King of England on March 24, 1603. Although James was good as the King of Scotland, and had a lot of experience, he had frequent fights with English Parliament, because he didn't understand the English culture. This event is significant because James I helped bring a period of wealth and success to both England and Scotland (Mathew). -
Apr 22, 1571
Shakespears education
In 1571, when Shakespeare was 7, he started attending grammar school. Shakespeare continued his education until he was about 14 years old. Shakespeare's father was a highly respected man, and helped his son earn a spot at a prestige school called King Edward IV Grammar School. This school was located in Shakespeare's hometown, Stafford-upon-Avon. This event is significant because in school Shakespeare learned all the proper techniques to become one of the best writers in history (Jamieson). -
Jul 6, 1577
Sir Francis Drake Circumnavigated the Globe
One of the most famous voyages in history was when Sir Francis Drake traveled all the way around the world. Sir Francis Drake's voyage took about 3 years and required 5 large vessels. It was funded by many rich and important people like Robert Dudley and The Earl of Lincoln. This event is significant because it brought back important discoveries and information to help the world of science progress ( The Library of Congress). -
1582
William Marry's Susanne
In late 1582, we don’t know the exact date, Shakespeare
married Anne Hathaway – a local farmer’s daughter.
William was only 18 years old. Most men at this time
married in their mid- to late-20s. So why did William
marry so young? The answer came six months later,
when William’s daughter, Susanna, was baptized. -
Susanna Shakespeare is Born
On May 26,1583 Shakespeare's first daughter, Susanna Shakespeare, was born. Susanna was thought to have a good relationship with her father because Shakespeare's estate was left to Susanna and her husband, Dr. John Hall. Susanna lived to a remarkable 66 years old. She died on July 11, 1649. Susanna's birth is significant because she was Shakespeare's first daughter, and executor of his will, and moved into his house when Shakespeare passed away (Who was William Shakespeare's eldest daughter). -
Shakespeare's Lost Years
Shakespeare goes through a period of time, starting in 1585, where he fades from history. Historians don't know what happened to Shakespeare during this time, or what he did with his life. Shakespeare reappeared in 1592 and continued writing plays. This event is significant because Shakespeare's time away from fame helped him start fresh, and think of new ideas for the next portion of his writing career (Jamieson). -
The Spanish Armada is Defeated
On July 29,1588 the Spanish Armada was defeated by the English navy, led by Lord Charles Howard and Sir Francis Drake. The battle took place off the coast of France, a little less than 700 miles away from Shakespeare's home country, England. This event is significant because by defeating the Spanish Armada, England became one of the most powerful nations of the world. Also, this war ended a period of short distance warfare, and began a period of long distance warfare. -
The Lost Colony of Roanoke
In 1590, Roanoke, England's first attempt at an American colony was founded. Roanoke colony was unsuccessful, and the reason is still unknown. Many people think that the colonists joined the Native Americans, but there is no evidence that they moved on to join the Native's tribe. The only thing left on the island is the word "CROATOAN" carved on a tree. This event is significant because Roanoke's fail led to the success of England's next American colony, Jamestown. -
Shakespeare's First Play is Performed
In 1590, Shakespeare's first play, "Henry VI", was performed. Even though historians know the date that the play was first performed, nobody knows when it was written or published. "Henry VI" is a play about England's problems having political and military control over the territory it held in France. This event is significant because it was the first play that kicked off Shakespeare's writing career and made him popular among his literary audience. -
Robert Greene accuses Shakespeare
In 1592, a writer named Robert Greene wrote a book critiquing Shakespeare, calling him "the only shake scene in the country," and accused him of plagiarising his work. In response, Shakespeare wrote a play bashing Greene. This event is significant because Greene almost made one of the greatest writers of all time, stop writing. Instead, Shakespeare wrote an amazing play that changed improved literature forever. -
Plague Closes Theater
William Shakespeare London theaters are closed due to an outbreak of Bubonic Plague that eventually kills about 5 percent of the city residents Shakespeare uses the outbreak to write a poem. -
Shakespeare granted a coat of arms
William Shakespeare and his father, John Shakespeare was granted a coat of arms. The fees of the coat of arms were paid by William Shakespeare himself. This is one of the important evidence that showed that Shakespeare prospered early on his career and was trying to retrieve his family's fortunes. (Sepencer, Brown, Bevington). -
Hamlet
Hamlet is Shakespeare's longest and most well known play (Shakespeare, 158). The tragedy revolves around the protagonist, Hamlet feeling the need to avenge his father's murder by his uncle Claudius. The main conflict of the play is Hamlet's internal struggle on whether or not killing his uncle is correct. -
Lord Chamberlain's Men
In March of 1603 a theatrical group called Lord Chamberlain's Men was formed. This group was formerly called Hudson's Men until Lord Chamberlain became the owner in 1597. Shakespeare was one of the men that were fiercely involved in the group, along with Richard Burbage and John Hemming. This event is significant because Shakespeare's involvement in the company by acting and writing plays added to his fame, and made him a popular person. -
Macbeth
One of Shakespeare's most famous plays "Macbeth" was written in 1606. "Macbeth" was about a man whose constant strive for power, eventually led to his downfall. He is obsessed with becoming King and goes crazy in the process. By reading the book, you learn that complete power is not worth losing your sanity. This event is significant because Macbeth was one of Shakespeare's most influential plays, which brought millions to the theater to watch it being performed. -
Settlement of Jamestown
On May 13,1607 England's first permanent American colony, Jamestown, was settled in Virginia. Jamestown was a successful colony that helped England gain influence in the Americas. Jamestown was funded by a company called the Virginia Company of London, and through the growth of tobacco in Jamestown, the company made a lot of money. This event is significant, because the government, culture, and customs of Jamestown impacted those of the United States today. -
The Invention of the Telescope
The telescope was invented on October 2, 1608 in Holland by a man named Hans Lippershey. Many people think that the first telescope was invented by a man named Galileo Galilei. Galileo did design a telescope, but he made it in 1609 which is one year later than Lippershey's invention. This event is significant because the invention of the telescope changed science forever by allowing us to see farther into the universe than ever before (Did Galileo invent the telescope. -
The Globe Theater Burns Down
On June 29, 1613 the Globe Theater was burnt to the ground while Shakespeare's play, Henry VII, was being performed. The theater was completely destroyed by the fire. A replica of the theater was quickly rebuilt in 1614, and is still open for visitors today. This event is significant because The Globe Theater was where Shakespeare's plays were performed, and once the first theater burnt down Shakespeare completely lost his motivation for writing . -
William Shakespeare's Death
William Shakespeare died on April 23, 1616, for reasons that are still unknown. Shakespeare lived to the age of 52, which was 20 years longer than the life expectancy of the time. There are several theories of the cause of his death, such as him contracting a disease, or him drinking too much alcohol. This event is significant because Shakespeare's writing left an impact on the world by changing and improving the English language.
