William Shakespeare, the world’s most performed playwright, was born in April 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, about 100 miles northwest of London. As with most sixteenth-century births, the actual day is not recorded, but according to the records of Stratford’s Holy Trinity Church, he was baptized on April 26. Since it was customary to baptize infants within days of their birth, and because Shakespeare died 52 years later on April 23, it has become traditional to call April 23 his birthday. Happy Birthday to the Bard of Avon!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"