Chase's Calendar

If you haven't given us your 2027 renewal forms yet, please do so immediately by scanning and sending to chases@bloomsbury.com.

23 April marks World Book Day, honouring Cervantes and Shakespeare, who both died on this date. We celebrate their legacy alongside Día del Español in Spain and St George’s Day in the UK. A day for language, literature and shared cultural heritage.

It is both the birthday and deathday of William Shakespeare today, so give yourself a real treat and watch the magnificent Judi Dench recite his Sonnet 29 🤌🏼✨️

Grammy-winning conductor Michael Tilson Thomas, the bird-like maestro affectionately dubbed MTT and a “bad boy of classical music” while leading almost all the major orchestras of the United States and Europe since his teen years, has died in his San Francisco home. latimes.com/entertainment-…

On #EnglishLanguageDay, we mark the role of English as a global language for dialogue and cooperation. As one of the United Nations working languages, it plays a key role in multilateralism and international engagement. In a multilingual world, English serves as a bridge, supporting mutual understanding.

Celebrate Shakespeare's birthday with a sneak peak into The Arden Shakespeare Fourth Series (@Ardenpublisher), coming next month. Preview "Julius Caesar": bit.ly/4tUBcei youtube.com/watch?v=U6F93C…

To celebrate the birthday of William Shakespeare, I’m sharing a few lines from my most favorite sonnet, Sonnet 116. I’ve converted a few of my friends to its cause, and I’m hoping you’re next. Cheers! You can hear the entire collection in “Patrick Stewart Performs the Complete Sonnets of William Shakespeare” available now: bit.ly/PatrickStewart… @SimonAudio #NationalShakespeareDay

On #StGeorgesDay, here's our stained glass window depicting England's patron saint slaying the dragon. The window was designed by Hugh Easton and is dedicated to the memory of Westminster citizens killed during the Second World War. It was unveiled by Princess Margaret in 1948.

Libraries open the door to knowledge for everyone, everywhere. 📚 On World Book and Copyright Day, we highlight their role in ensuring access to knowledge and the free flow of ideas. @UNESCO works to advance literacy, protect authors’ rights and ensure access to books for all. 📖 Discover more via @UNESCOCourier: courier.unesco.org/en/articles/li…

We're taking the opportunity on this World Book Day to remind you that the Library of Congress will host the 2026 National Book Festival on Saturday, Aug. 22, at the Washington Convention Center! Mark your calendars and watch this space for details.

April 15: Deadline! Chase's renewal forms for 2027 due as well as new entry submission forms. If you need a new entry form, please email us at chases@bloomsbury.com.

Looking ahead: Sundown, Apr 13 Holocaust Remembrance Day in Israel (Yom HaShoah) Apr 14 World Chagas Disease Day Pan-American Day Pathologists' Assistant Day Natl Pecan Day Intl Moment of Laughter Day Children with Alopecia Day Apr 15 World Art Day Income Tax Pay Day

Happy birthday, Fatou! The world's oldest gorilla living in captivity celebrated her 69th birthday with a feast Monday, munching on cherry tomatoes, beets, leeks and lettuce at the Berlin Zoo. abcnews.link/7JAy1nd

Sid Krofft, Co-Creator of Mind-Blowing Kids TV Shows, Dies at 96 hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/sid…

Thomas Jefferson was born on #OTD in 1743. As the author of the Declaration of Independence and serving two terms as President, Jefferson stands as one of our country's most iconic founders. He is honored by the Jefferson Memorial on the Tidal Basin. Stop by the learn more about his legacy. #NationalMall #Freedom250 #WashingtonDC

Never mind April Fools' Day - Welsh folklore warns us to beware April Fools' Month… which could even become April Fools' Year: "If you are made a fool in April, you will be a fool or get befooled all through the year." (Folklore of Wales, 1909) #AprilFoolsDay #AprilFools

April Fools! 🦁 Patience and Fortitude aren’t going anywhere. But fun fact: a small group once proposed the beaver as NYPL's official mascot. Our beloved lions have been guarding Fifth Avenue since 1911, when sculptor Edward Clark Potter designed them and the Piccirilli Brothers carved them from marble. Not everyone loved them at first—some suggested beavers in honor of Library co-founder John Astor, while former President Teddy Roosevelt thought the Library should have bison instead. Luckily, the lions stayed, and more than a century later, Patience and Fortitude are still standing watch. Stop by and say hello to them on your next visit! P.S. This beaver is real—just not at NYPL! You’ll find it on Canada’s Parliament building in Ottawa.

Wangari Maathai was the first female professor in Kenya and the first African woman to be awarded the #NobelPeacePrize. Born on this day, she was a committed environmentalist and founded the Green Belt Movement, which led to the planting of millions of trees.

The April Full Moon--the Pink Moon, named after the pink ground phlox--begins at 10:12 EDT today.

Hmmm, what is today?