Nearly half a millennium has passed since world-famous playwright and poet William Shakespeare was born -- today apparently marks 450 years -- but some people are wondering whether or not this is actually his birthday.

According to TIME, some experts are not totally buying the notion that the "Romeo and Juliet" and "Hamlet" was indeed born on April 23. However, it seems that April 23 would be his birthday since it was confirmed that his baptism took place three days after his birth. This falls in line with the older tradition of performing baptisms three days after birth.

Regardless of the exact date, his birthday has become a significant holiday of sorts for people in certain parts of the world. Thousands of people flock to Stratford upon Avon on his birthday weekend, according to a website dedicated to Shakespeare's birthday.

"Crowds will be lining the streets of this Elizabethan market town to see actors, foreign diplomats and civic dignitaries lead the 1,000-strong grand Birthday Procession from 10:30am on Saturday 26 April," the website reads. "They will be followed by a lively community pageant, street entertainers and the Stratford Morris Men ... There'll be music, street entertainers, story telling, acting, stage combat and theatre make-up activities, tours of the Shakespeare houses, children's parties, sonnet readings -- and also the chance to spot the occasional famous actor."

It comes as no surprise that the world still celebrates Shakespeare's birthday considering that he continues lives on as a household name hundreds of years later. Furthermore, his work is still a key component in English classrooms and libraries around the globe.

Do you think the famous English Playwright was actually born on April 23? What do you think about the big celebration? Feel free to chime in via the comments section located down below.