April 21, 1926 – Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor is born in Mayfair, London, England. As Queen Elizabeth II she will become Great Britain’s longest serving monarch.
April 22, 1451 – Isabella I of Castile, patron of explorer Christopher Columbus and initiator of the Spanish Inquisition with husband Ferdinand II, is born in Madrigal de las Altas Torres, Spain.
April 23, 1564 – Playwright William Shakespeare is born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. He is often named the greatest writer in the English language and the world’s greatest dramatist. His works include 38 plays, 154 sonnets, and additional poems.
April 23, 1791 – 15th U.S. President James Buchanan (serving 1857-1861) is born in Cove Gap, Pennsylvania. He held sympathetic views about slavery and fell out of political favor for trying to help the South gain Kansas as a slave state. He opted not to seek reelection opening the way for Abraham Lincoln’s successful run for office.