Shakespeare’s Birthday & World Book Day Begins National Library Week

One of the world’s most familiar writers and bards, William Shakespeare, was born on 23 April, or as near as we can tell. So, the world will celebrate and recognize his works today.

Shakespeare with a gold loop earring.Photo bythe author with PowerPoint Design Creation.

It's that time of year again when book lovers, theater enthusiasts, and librarians unite to celebrate three significant events: Shakespeare's Birthday, World Book Day, and National Library Week. While these events might seem unrelated, they are all connected by one thing – a love for literature.

The Shakespeare Family Coat-of-Arms.Photo byPublic Domain.

Shakespeare’s Works & Quirks

William Shakespeare was an English playwright, poet, and actor widely regarded as one of the greatest writers in the English language.

He was born on 23 April 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, and died on 23 April 1616, his 52nd birthday. He wrote 39 plays, 154 sonnets, and two long narrative poems, leaving a literary legacy that has continued to inspire people for centuries.

William Shakespeare was born on 23 April 1564, and he died. Of course, they used a different calendar then, so he may have been born and died on 3 May. Meh, tomato, tomahto.

Unlike most writers, Shakespeare was very wealthy. His troupe performed plays at theatres across England and private performances for Queen Elizabeth I and, later, for King James I.

Since there was no copyright then, the actors (Yes, only males. Women were not allowed to perform onstage then, so boys played the parts of women) were given their lines just before they were to say them to keep them from being plagiarized.

In his will, he gave his daughter, Susanna, his wealth and property. To his wife, “I gyve unto my wief my second best bed with the furniture.” By “furniture,” he meant his bedclothing, blankets, sheets, and pillows. Very generous of him, huh?

Further, he wrote his own epitaph and cursed anyone who disturbed it.

“Good friend for Jesus’ sake forbear, To dig the dust enclosed here: Blest be the man that spares these stones, And curst be he that moves my bones.”

That being said, Shakespeare had a few other quirks too. For instance, he wore a gold loop earring in his left ear, an uncommon fashion statement in his time.

Moreover, he coined several words and phrases that we still use today, such as "break the ice," "wild-goose chase," and "heart of gold." Actually, ten percent of all quotes and English language expressions were penned by Shakespeare.

“The better part of valor is discretion.” — Henry IV, Part 1, Act 5, Scene 4.

“A horse! a horse! my kingdom for a horse!” — Richard III, Act 5, Scene 4.

“What’s in a name? A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” — Romeo and Juliet, Act 2, Scene 2.

And while he was a prolific writer, Shakespeare never published any of his plays during his lifetime. He became wealthy by purchasing properties from his gate admissions.

World Book Day History

World Book Day, also known as International Day of the Book, is an annual event celebrated on April 23rd, organized by UNESCO to promote reading, publishing, and copyright.

The day coincides with the deaths of several prominent writers, including Shakespeare, Cervantes, and Garcilaso de la Vega, making it a perfect time to honor their literary contributions.

World Book Day started in Catalonia, Spain, in 1923, when people exchanged books as gifts on St. George's Day. So, this is officially the 100th anniversary of Book Day.

The tradition later spread to other countries, including the United Kingdom, where it became an official holiday in 1995. Today, World Book Day is celebrated in over 100 countries worldwide, with various events, book fairs, and reading initiatives organized to promote literacy.

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Amazon paperback cover on my desk.Photo bythe author with PowerPoint design creation.

National Library Week Is from 23 to 29 April

The book pictured above, Our Bodies, Our Shelves: A Collection of Library Humor by @RozWarren, is a group of humorous stories about various happenings in the library, available in paperback from Amazon.

I keep one on my desk for when I need a laugh, a deep, belly-busting chortle, and when I can’t face the world without something to lift my spirits.

Just the chapter titles are enough to pique your interest to read them, and they invariably induce a chuckle, such as “A Num Walks into a Library,” “Freeze! It’s the Library Police,” or “The Librarian and the Porn Star.”

National Library Week is an annual celebration of libraries and library workers in the United States, observed during the last week of April.

The week-long event was first observed in 1958, sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA), to encourage people to visit their local libraries, borrow books, and support their communities.

Libraries have always played an essential role in developing communities and providing access to information, education, and culture.

Andrew Carnegie, a Scottish-American industrialist and philanthropist, recognized the importance of libraries and donated millions of dollars to build public libraries across the United States.

From 1886 to 1917, Carnegie funded the construction of 2,509 libraries worldwide, including 1,689 in the United States, at a cost to him of $60 million. In today's money, he spent over $1.3 billion on his library system.

Carnegie's libraries were not just buildings but centers of learning and culture. People could access books, magazines, and newspapers, attend lectures and classes, and gather for social events.

Today, these libraries serve as community hubs, providing access to digital resources, technology, and cultural programming.

In Closing

Shakespeare's Birthday, World Book Day, and National Library Week are all unique events that celebrate literature and its impact on our lives.

From Shakespeare's quirky fashion sense to Andrew Carnegie's philanthropy, these events are reminders of the power of words and the importance of access to information. So, whether you are a bookworm, a theater buff, or a library enthusiast, take some time this week to celebrate the literary world and all it has to offer.

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About the author

Stephen Dalton is a native of Old Town, ME, and a retired US Army First Sergeant with a degree in journalism from the University of Maryland. He is a Certified US English Chicago Manual of Style Editor. Top Writer in Travel, Food, Fiction, Transportation, VR, NFL, Design, Creativity, Short Story, and a NewsBreak Community Voice Pro.