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. She reigned for 70 years and 214 days before passing away at age 96.
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.