Today in History: William Shakespeare
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.
The First Folio of Shakespeare
Audio recordings of works by William Shakespeare
Sheet music related to William Shakespeare
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
- Macbeth at the Library of Congress April 16, 2015
- William Shakespeare Through the Ages: Different Visions of the Bard in Primary Sources April 19, 2016
Library of Congress blog posts
- Here’s to a Couple of Ruff Characters April 22, 2016
- Was Richard “Rubbished?” February 4, 2013
From the Catbird Seat blog posts
- Et Tu, Congress?
- Finding Shakespeare at the Library of Congress May 18, 2016
- Laureates Select Favorite Shakespeare Poem—What’s Yours? April 24, 2015
- “Make No Bones About It” — It’s William Shakespeare’s Birthday! April 21, 2016
- Old Software, New Apps . . . and Shakespeare! July 25, 2013
- Shakespeare Is For The Birds June 29, 2016
In the Muse blog posts
- Brush up your Shakespeare April 23, 2010
Folklife Today blog posts
Inside Adams blog posts
- The Real Merchants of Venice September 16, 2016
In Custodia Legis blog posts
- Bas-Relief of The Merchant of Venice April 25, 2014
- Henry VIII by William Shakespeare April 23, 2015
- Justice for Shylock: A Mock Appeal July 10, 2017
- Shakespeare, Henry V and Salic Law April 25, 2012
- Shakespeare and King John April 28, 2014
Related resource