It’s a very special day in the history of literature.

Today marks the 450th anniversary of the birth of William Shakespeare.

And Ontario’s Stratford Festival is celebrating the birth of the Bard not only today – but all season long.

There are five Shakespeare productions coming to the Stratford stages and a series of more than 20 special Shakespeare events.

The 2014 season launches on May 26th with the opening of King Lear, directed by Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino – starring Colm Feore.

Previews begin on May 5th.

And the Stratford Festival in Ontario isn’t the only one celebrating the Bard’s birth today.

England’s Globe Theatre on the banks of the River Thames is celebrating Shakespeare’s 450th birthday by testing his maxim that “all the world’s a stage.”

The company is launching what it admits is an “insanely ambitious” plan to take “Hamlet” to every country on the globe.

The adventure begins tonight in London.

After three performances, the cast and and crew will board a schooner for Amsterdam – starting a journey that will take them to seven continents by plane, boat, train and bus.