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Shakespeare & Beyond

Shakespeare's birthday party

William Shakespeare entered and exited the world on the same date: April 23. This past weekend, the Folger Shakespeare Library commemorated the 400th anniversary of his death (1616-2016), but we also threw him a big birthday party as we do every year. It’s a beloved annual tradition at the Folger, in part because it also marks our own birthday: The Folger opened on April 23, 1932.

Shakespeare’s birthday party began at noon on Sunday, April 24. The sky was blue, the sun was shining… what’s that? The sound of trumpets? The U.S. Army Fife and Drum Corps marched onto the Folger front lawn to kick off the festivities.