| 1564 | William Shakespeare is born on April 23 in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, to John Shakespeare and Mary Arden. |
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| 1582 | Shakespeare marries Anne Hathaway at the age of 18. They have three children: Susanna, and twins Hamnet and Judith. |
| 1590 | Shakespeare begins his career as a playwright. Early works include “Henry VI,” “Richard III,” and “The Comedy of Errors.” |
| 1592 | Shakespeare’s success as a playwright gains the attention of the London theater world. His plays are performed by the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, a leading theater company. |
| 1597 | Shakespeare’s plays “Romeo and Juliet” and “Richard II” are published. |
| 1599 | The Globe Theatre is built in London by the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, and becomes the primary venue for Shakespeare’s plays. |
| 1600-1601 | Shakespeare writes “Hamlet,” one of his most famous tragedies. |
| 1603 | James I becomes King of England and the Lord Chamberlain’s Men become the King’s Men, the royal acting company. Shakespeare continues to write for the company, producing plays such as “Othello,” “King Lear,” “Macbeth,” and “Antony and Cleopatra.” |
| 1611 | Shakespeare’s play “The Tempest” is performed, and is considered to be his final play before retiring from the theater. |
| 1613 | The Globe Theatre burns down during a performance of Shakespeare’s play “Henry VIII.” |
| 1614 | The Globe Theatre is rebuilt and reopens. |
| 1616 | William Shakespeare dies on April 23 in Stratford-upon-Avon, at the age of 52. He is buried in Holy Trinity Church. |
| 1623 | Shakespeare’s friends and fellow actors, John Heminges and Henry Condell, publish the First Folio, a collection of 36 of Shakespeare’s plays, ensuring the survival of his work. |
| 1709 | Nicholas Rowe publishes the first biography of Shakespeare, “Some Account of the Life and Writings of Mr. William Shakespear.” |
| 1769 | Actor David Garrick organizes the first Shakespeare Jubilee, a three-day festival in Stratford-upon-Avon celebrating Shakespeare’s life and work. |
| 19th Century | Shakespeare’s work becomes increasingly popular and is performed throughout the world. His plays are translated into many languages, and he becomes a symbol of British culture. |
| 20th Century | Shakespeare’s work continues to be studied, performed, and adapted into various forms of media, including film and television. His influence on literature and the English language is immeasurable. |