Today in History: William Shakespeare

Grand Shakespearian festival the greatest works of the master mind presented in a most sumptuous manner

Today in History–April 26–the Library of Congress features William Shakespeare, baptized on this day in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. Shakespeare’s birthday is traditionally celebrated on April 23, because babies generally were baptized about three days after birth. Learn about the Folger Shakespeare Memorial Library by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access Shakespeare’s works and other resources related to the bard.

Works by William Shakespeare

The First Folio of Shakespeare

Audio recordings of works by William Shakespeare

Sheet music related to William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare image set

Historical U.S. newspaper coverage related to William Shakespeare

Shakespeare in America primary source set

Shakespeare’s Americanisms” Harper’s New Monthly Magazine Volume 90, Issue 536 January, 1895

Macbeth: items from the 1936 production by Orson Welles

The taming of the shrew 1908 film

The Play That Electrified Harlem story map that explores a 1936 production of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth by the Negro Unit of the Federal Theater Project | CSV file

Shakespeare related webcasts

Shakespeare on television and film bibliography

Teaching with the Library of Congress blog posts

Library of Congress blog posts

From the Catbird Seat blog posts

In the Muse blog posts

Folklife Today blog posts

Inside Adams blog posts

In Custodia Legis blog posts

Related resource