400th Anniversary of the KJV
The King James Version of the Bible changed a nation, a language, and a culture. It is the noblest monument of English prose. Victor Hugo said, “England has two books, the Bible and Shakespeare. England made Shakespeare, but the Bible made England.”
And 2011 is the 400th anniversary of the King James Version, which was published in 1611. Not surprisingly, the British have more celebrations planned than Americans do.
United Kingdom
The 2011 Trust, with HRH Charles, The Prince of Wales, as its patron, plans to celebrate the Bible in English with conferences, concerts, readings, lectures, and seminars. Two of the most interesting things the Trust is doing are a flip book of an entire 1611 printing of the King James Version and a You Tube Bible in which as many people as possible from around the world – actors, sportsmen and women, musicians, politicians, and others – read a verse or chapter from the KJV. It's a great idea. Get creative and put a video on U-Tube.
The BBC has announced that veteran broadcaster Melvyn Bragg will make a one-hour documentary on the KJV and how it has shaped English language, history, and culture.
Biblefresh is a project of more than 65 organizations to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the King James Version and make 2011 a “Year of the Bible.”
America
In the United States, Thomas Nelson Publishers has announced a 400-day campaign that will begin in the fall of 2010 that will include a national tour.
More details coming!