1564- Born in Stratford-upon-Avon
1569- Begins basic school
1582- Marries Anne Hathaway
1583- First child born
1585- Twins born
1590- First play, Henry VI, Part One. Leaves Stratford to begin work as playwright and actor in London
1593- Plague causes theatre to shut down. Shakespeare uses this time to write
1594- Theaters reopen, Lord Chamberlain's Men become popular
1596- Only son dies
1597- Purchases second largest home in Stratford
1598- Praised, has written Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Merchant of Venice, Love's Labors Lost, Richard II, and Titus Andronicus.
1599- Globe Theater built
1601- Hamlet is written, thought to be inspired by his father's death
1611- Returns to Stratford
1613- Writes final plays, Globe catches fire and burns to the ground
1616- Dies at the age of 52 on his birthday
1569- Begins basic school
1582- Marries Anne Hathaway
1583- First child born
1585- Twins born
1590- First play, Henry VI, Part One. Leaves Stratford to begin work as playwright and actor in London
1593- Plague causes theatre to shut down. Shakespeare uses this time to write
1594- Theaters reopen, Lord Chamberlain's Men become popular
1596- Only son dies
1597- Purchases second largest home in Stratford
1598- Praised, has written Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Merchant of Venice, Love's Labors Lost, Richard II, and Titus Andronicus.
1599- Globe Theater built
1601- Hamlet is written, thought to be inspired by his father's death
1611- Returns to Stratford
1613- Writes final plays, Globe catches fire and burns to the ground
1616- Dies at the age of 52 on his birthday