April 23 - National Talk Like Shakespeare Day

Happy National Talk Like Shakespeare Day! On April 23 each year, today encourages us to speak like the Bard and the characters in his plays.  

Born on April 23, 1564, English poet, playwright, and actor William Shakespeare is the author of some of the world’s most celebrated plays and poems. 

Shakespeare is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's greatest dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon". 

We can speak like Shakespeare by substituting "thou", "thee" and "ye" for "you" and "they". Rhyming couplets and creative insults were his particular favorites. Many of the phrases we use today we can owe to Shakespeare. 

We could make you wait with bated breath for the list. We could send you on a wild goose chase to find them. For goodness sake, you might just be the laughing stock if we did! 

Oh, come now. No need to fight fire with fire. Come what may we will give you the naked truth and teach to you talk like Shakespeare. We’ll snatch you out of the jaws of death and put you in a pickle too while we are at it! 

In 2016, National Day Calendar® honored the four hundredth anniversary of the Bard’s death. What better way to celebrate his life and art than to speak like the poet and playwright.

What makes your hair stand on end? Did we set your teeth on edge? Well, what’s done is done. 

You may be such a sorry sight, but still, the world is your oyster even if you wear your heart on your sleeve.  Aye, you have seen better days! We must send you packing. It’s all Greek to you anyway! 

HOW TO OBSERVE 

Speaketh like Shakespeare and celebrate his birthday.  Share on social media by using #TalkLikeShakespeareDay. 

Educators, visit the National Day Calendar® Classroom for lessons designed for National Talk Like Shakespeare Day by visiting the website below: 

https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/classroom/ 

In 2009, National Talk Like Shakespeare Day was first launched by the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, which was inspired by another day devoted to talking in character – International Talk Like a Pirate Day (September 19).   

In 2011, American lawyer, politician and then-Illinois Governor Pat Quinn proclaimed April 23 as Talk Like Shakespeare Day giving the theater’s efforts official recognition.  

The day also coincides with National English Language Day which began in 2010 as a cultural recognition day by the United Nations. 

Pray, how canst thou speaketh like Shakespeare today? 

#TalkLikeShakespeareDay 

@ChicagoShakespeare 

@unitednations 

@nichecinema

April 23 - National Lost Dogs Awareness Day

Happy National Lost Dogs Awareness Day! Each year on April 23, this day increases awareness concerning missing dogs and to celebrate reunions.  

  

Through networks of shelters, veterinaries, social media, and other media sources, many lost canines and families reunite.  

This day is an opportunity to learn more about prevention and networking. There are preventive steps to take to prevent your family pet from going missing. Some of these preventative steps also help return Fido (or Flike) to you if he does go missing. 

Preventative steps to take: 

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  • Keep your dog secure. Whether on a leash or a fenced yard, your dog is less likely to wander if it’s secured. 
• • Training is valuable. Dogs who have been trained either by a professional are less likely to go missing. Most importantly, they learn recall commands, but formal obedience training offers owners valuable information that can lead to a better relationship between pet and owner. 
• • Always supervise your animal. Dogs, especially expensive purebreds, can be stolen even from a fenced yard. 
• • Tags and microchipping help with the recovery of a missing animal. These steps must be completed when you first receive your new family member. Tags are inexpensive, but dogs can slip a collar. Many pet adoptions sites will hold microchipping events for a fraction of the cost, and the price is coming down all the time. It’s essential to keep the information on the microchip or tag up to date. It is only as useful as the information listed in helping recover your pet. 
• • Spaying and neutering reduce your pet’s likelihood of wandering off in search of a mate. Additionally, it eliminates the chances of unwanted offspring should your dog wander off unexpectedly. 
• • Keep records up to date on your animals. That includes photos, vaccinations, and those valuable tags and microchips as well. 

Taking action if your pet goes missing: 

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  • Contact your local shelters and vets. Provide them current information regarding your dog, including a color photograph. 
• • Walk your neighborhood. Let your neighbors know as you search.  
• • Post notices in neighborhood grocery stores, gas stations, and coffee shops. Go to social media and post your pet’s info in local community forums.  
• • Check advertising websites. If your dog was stolen, you might recognize the description from the ad. Contact the police if you think your dog was stolen. 

Take steps to protect your pet. Develop a plan. If you’re a dog owner, share your experiences using #LostDogAwarenessDay. 

  

HISTORY 

  

Lost Dogs Illinois and Lost Dogs Wisconsin directors Susan Taney and Kathy Pobloskie created National Lost Dog Awareness Day in 2014 to increase awareness and help prevent animals from going missing. They also promote celebrating the reunions. 

  

#LostDogAwarenessDay 

@LostDogsIllinois 

@findfido 

@nichecinema