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This is the Conversation Forum for Great Dates in History << Pearl Harbor AM 1656 >> Subject: 23 April, 1616: Interesting fact ... Posted May 6, 2003 by Jeremy (trying to find his way back to dinner)   Posting 1 It is true that both William Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes dies on 23 April, 1616. That was a Saturday for Cervantes, but a Wednesday for Shakespeare. The solution is easy: In 1582, Pope Gregor XIII had installed a new calendar (the one we still know as the 'Gregorian Calendar' today) that replaced the old, 'out-of-sync' Julian calendar. All the catholic countries changed their calendars in 1582, whereas England waited until 1752, when the British government cancelled days 3 to 13 from September. People went to bed on 2 September 1752 and got up on 14 September, 1752. So the death dates of Shakespeare and de Cervantes are in fact 11 days apart (Shakespeare died on Wednesday, 4 May, 1616, according to the Gregorian calendar). Jeremy Read the First Reply to this Posting Subject: 23 April, 1616: Interesting fact ... Posted May 6, 2003 by TAFKAR2 This is a reply to this Posting   Posting 2 So which date should we remember then? 23rd April (OS) or 23rd April (NS)? Read the First Reply to this Posting Subject: 23 April, 1616: Interesting fact ... Posted May 7, 2003 by Jeremy (trying to find his way back to dinner) This is a reply to this Posting   Posting 3 I would remember 23 April. The coincidence with de Cervantes' death is just too stunning to neglect. And the last glance at his personal calendar would have shown 23 April. It's just funny to realize that both died on the same date, but not the same day ... Conversation list Most of the content on h2g2 is created by h2g2's Researchers, who are members of the public. The views expressed are theirs and unless specifically stated are not those of the BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of any external sites referenced. In the event that you consider anything on this page to be in breach of the site's House Rules, please click on the relevant button to alert our Moderation Team. Conversation list

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