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Apr 23, 1564
The birth of Shakespeare
William Shakespeare is born in Stratford-Upon-Avon, United Kingdom to Mary Arden of Warwickshire and John Shakespeare, burgess of the borough. The true birth date of Shakespeare is unknown, but the date on which he was baptized was on April 26, 1564. Traditionally, Elizabethan children were baptized 3 days after birth, so it is believed his birthday is on April 23, 1564.This event is significant because Shakespeare would become one of the most influential writers of all time.
Source: (Rouse 6) -
Sep 22, 1565
WORLD EVENT- The first European town is established in America
In 1565, St. Augustine, FL became the first town established in America by Europeans. Spanish admiral Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles was chosen by King Philip II and advised to discover land that became St. Augustine. Shortly after landing, he encountered a French military fleet who he defeated. He claimed the land and named it after holy St. Augustine. This event is significant because it was the first of many towns and colonies to be established by Europeans in America.
Source: (infoplease.com) -
May 31, 1573
WORLD EVENT- The Dutch Revolt
Just a years prior in 1568, the Dutch revolted against Spanish rule in a series of uprisings that are seen to have instigated the revolt. Significantly, in 1573, the British captured the rebel cities of Haarlem and Brill and kept the Spanish at bay, despite the rebels being only able to hold out large flooding areas of the Spanish army. this event is significant because the Dutch revolt lead to the Dutch's independence and formation of the United Provinces.
Source: (infoplease.com) -
Sep 8, 1578
Shakespeare begins his education
After working with his father and living at home for many years, Shakespeare began his education in "Petty School" at age 5. This is where Shakespeare first learned many basic writing skills. Years later, he would attend grammar school where he would learn writing and grammar skills. Shakespeare often did well in school, earning excellent marks. This event is significant because these essential skills would help Shakespeare in his career later on and lead to success.
Source: (Rowse 14) -
Jul 17, 1580
WORLD EVENT- Sir Francis Drake returns from voyage
In 1580, navigator Francis Drake came home from his journey of searching the globe for new land, where his expedition lasted 3 years- From 1577 'til 1580. Drake was sent by Queen Elizabeth from South America to begin his journey. From there, he eventually led his ships into the Pacific Ocean. Eventually, Drake landed in Plymouth, Mass., and the Queen ordained him a knight. This event is significant as Drake became one of the world's most renown adventurers because of it.
Source: (biography.com) -
Shakespeare's marriage
In the 1580s, Shakespeare met his wife, a woman named Anne Hathaway. The two fell in love and arranged to marry, but they couldn't immediately. The two received consent from their family and friends about the marriage, but they had to gain a registered right to marry at the Episcopal registry. The marriage license was approved and they married on November 28, 1582. The significance of this event comes from the fact that Shakespeare's works were partially inspired by Anne.
Source: (Mushat 9) -
The birth and Baptism of Shakespeare's first child
Just after marrying Anne Hathaway, Shakespeare discovered his wife was around 2 months pregnant. The two welcomed their first child, Susanna Shakespeare-Hall, on around May 23, 1583. She was then baptized 3 days later (like Elizabethan tradition) on May 26, 1583. Susanna lived to be 65 years old until her death in 1649. Shakespeare's children (like Susanna) significantly inspired his future works and poetry during his career.
Source: (Mushat 17) -
The birth of Shakespeare's twins
About a year after Susanna was born, Shakespeare's wife Anne Hathaway discovered she was pregnant yet again. This time, however, it wasn't one child she was carrying: She had twins. On February 2, 1585, Anne Hathaway gave birth to a boy and a girl, Judith Quinley and Hamnet Shakespeare. Tragically, in 1586, Hamnet would die at age11 years old. It is believed that the future Shakespearean play Hamlet's name was inspired by his late son, showing the signifcance of this event.
Source: (Andrews 33) -
The first reference to Shakespeare in the world of Theatre
In the late 1580s, Shakespeare's life goes off the map. It is believed during this time, he began performing and writing his works. In 1592, a dramatist named Robert Greene referenced Shakespeare in a pamphlet while on his death bed. In the pamphlet, Green states, "Conceit the only Shake-scene in a country", referencing Shakespeare/Shakespeare's works. This event is significant since it was the first time Shakespeare was referenced in the works of a major author like Greene.
Source: (Mushat 56) -
Shakespeare becomes a lead in a company of players.
In 1594, Shakespeare was given an important and exciting opportunity: He was offered the position of lead dramatist in Lord Chamberlain's company of players. Chamberlain's company of players had been a highly regarded group of theater performers, so it was an important opportunity for Shakespeare to take. This position helped Shakespeare's career significantly, and helped lead him onto the path of performing roles and plays for the King and Queen of England.
Source: (biography.com) -
Shakespeare turns his works to the Romance genre
Unlike his previous, more serious works, Shakespeare began to change the focus in his writing to romance. He began to pen iconic plays such as "A Mid-Summer Night's Dream", "The Merchant of Venice," Twelfth Night" and "Much Ado About Nothing." Later during the 1590s, "Romeo and Juliet' and "Julius Caesar" were written as well. These works of Romance are significant because they became Shakespeare's most popular works, and are what he is most remembered for to this day.
Source: (Andrews 77) -
WORLD EVENT- Tycho Brahe releases his astronomical studies and experiments
In the 1590s, a man by the name of Tycho Brahe had become famous for his astrological studies he had done over the past years. Shortly before his death, Tycho Brahe released his studies he had made on astrological concepts. These were done with Johannes Kepler, who helped with his studies. Kepler would use the help of Brahe to create his own astronomical studies. These studies were significant because they helped further the movements in science made in the 1500s.
Source: (infoplease.com) -
WORLD EVENT- Don Quixote de la Mancha is first published
During a time when media was beginning to thrive in society, a novel named "Don Quixote de la Mancha" was written by Miguel de Cervantes. The novel follows Don Quixote, a man who has gone insane by reading romance stories and stories about knights and members of royalty. Because of these stories, he deludes himself into thinking he is a chivalrous night, which leads to humor. This novel is significant because it set a precedent for many more novels like it to come.
Source: (brittanica.come) -
WORLD EVENT- Galileo sees the moons of Jupiter
In January 1610, while observing the sky through his telescope, Galileo discovered the moons of Jupiter surrounding the planet. These four moons were the first moon objects that Galileo had recognized around a planet. He referred to them as "satellites" of Jupiter at first, and were the first objects he had found that orbited around a planet. This discovery was significant because moons had never been discovered around planets before- this was a first.
Source: (infoplease.com) -
Shakespeare's career begins to come to an end
Although Shakespeare was nearing the end in his career, he continued to make his works and create content that was even better. Shakespeare continued to pen such famous works as "Troilus and Cressida," ,"Hamlet," and "As you like it". Shakespeare even performed some of these works for the King and Queen of England on stage. These works were some of Shakespeare's last, and some of his best, proving the significance of his final pieces in the end of his career.
Source: (biography.com) -
The death of Shakespeare
William Shakespeare passed away in his home-town of Stratford-Upon-Avon, United Kingdom. It is unknown how he died, but in a diary entry written by John Ward, it is said that Shakespeare got a deadly fever from drinking too much at a party, and passed from it. Shakespeare passed at age 52 and his grave can be seen in Stratford-Upon-Avon. Shakespeare's death began his significant legacy of leaving some of the world's most treasured pieces of literature today here in our world.
Source: (Rowse 222)
