February 06

Born as the third son of Emperor Uda in 885, he ascended the throne in 897 at just 12 years old. Under his rule, the Daigo era saw significant cultural and administrative developments. He ordered the compilation of the Engi Shiki, a codification of court ceremonies and regulations. His patronage of literature and scholarship led to a flourishing of Heian culture. He abdicated in 930 and died shortly after, leaving a legacy of refined imperial governance.

Born in 1402 as the eldest son of Landgrave Hermann II, he inherited Hesse in 1413. He worked to unify Upper and Lower Hesse and strengthen the landgraviate's autonomy within the Holy Roman Empire. Louis maintained neutrality in regional disputes, balancing relations with neighboring states. He supported economic growth and the development of towns under his rule. His effective governance earned him the nickname 'the Peaceful' and enduring respect in Hesse.

The Chongzhen Emperor ascended the throne during turmoil and sought to strengthen central authority. He implemented fiscal reforms and attempted to curb corruption within the court. Faced with peasant uprisings and an advancing Manchu force, his military resources dwindled. In 1644, the fall of Beijing marked the end of the Ming dynasty under his reign. Rather than surrender, he took his own life, becoming a symbol of the dynasty's tragic collapse.

He served as head of government from 1702 and wielded significant influence at court. Born into the nobility, he rose through diplomatic and administrative ranks. Kolbe von Wartenberg centralized power and oversaw fiscal and military reforms. His tenure laid foundations for the emerging Prussian state but faced criticism for favoritism. He retired from politics and died in 1712, leaving a complex legacy in Prussian governance.

Ascending the throne in 1695, Mustafa II pursued campaigns against the Habsburgs and Venetians. He personally led troops in the Great Turkish War, seeking to reclaim lost territories. His reign saw internal challenges and mounting pressure from European powers. In 1703, he was deposed in a palace coup, ending his reign prematurely. Mustafa II retired to Edirne, where he died in 1703, marking a period of instability in the empire.

Born Princess Anne of Denmark and Norway in 1665, second daughter of the Duke of York. She became queen in 1702 and oversaw the 1707 Acts of Union uniting England and Scotland. Her reign was dominated by the War of the Spanish Succession under her adviser, the Duke of Marlborough. Despite seventeen pregnancies, she bore no surviving heirs, leading to the Hanoverian succession. Anne was known for her resilience amid personal loss and political challenges. She died in 1714, becoming the last monarch of the House of Stuart.

Aaron Burr was born in 1756 in Newark, New Jersey. He graduated from Princeton University before joining the Continental Army and serving with distinction in the Revolutionary War. After the war, he became a prominent lawyer and served as a U.S. Senator from New York. Burr was elected Vice President under Thomas Jefferson, serving from 1801 to 1805. He is perhaps best known for his fatal duel with Alexander Hamilton in 1804, which ended his political career. In 1807, Burr faced charges of treason for alleged western conspiracy but was acquitted. He spent his later years practicing law and writing memoirs, dying in 1836.

Julian Ursyn Niemcewicz was born in 1758 in what is now Belarus. He studied at Vilnius University and became active in the Polish Enlightenment. Niemcewicz wrote patriotic poems and satirical plays that critiqued social and political issues. He served as a deputy in the Four-Year Sejm and contributed to drafting the Constitution of 3 May 1791. After the failed Kościuszko Uprising, he was briefly imprisoned and then emigrated to the United States, where he lectured and wrote memoirs. Returning to partitioned Poland, he held diplomatic posts and continued writing until his death in 1841. His work influenced future generations of Polish writers and patriots.

George Murray was born in 1772 into a noble Scottish family. He purchased his first commission in the British Army and saw action during the Peninsular War. Rising to lieutenant-general, he combined his military career with political office as a Member of Parliament. From 1812 to 1827, he served as Secretary of State for War and the Colonies under Prince Regent George IV, overseeing post-Napoleonic military reforms and colonial administration. His tenure saw efforts to improve army pay, discipline, and veterans' welfare. He died in 1830, leaving a legacy as both a soldier and a policymaker.

John Keane was born in 1781 in Waterford, Ireland. He was commissioned into the British Army at age 17 and saw service in the Napoleonic Wars, including the battles of Vittoria and Toulouse. Promoted to lieutenant-general, he was created Baron Keane in recognition of his victories. From 1833 to 1835, he served as Governor of Saint Lucia, overseeing civil and military affairs. He later became Commander-in-Chief in Bombay and led the capture of Bharatpur in India. Knighted as a Knight Grand Cross of the Bath, he retired in 1840. He died in 1844, remembered for his bravery and leadership across the British Empire.

Joseph von Radowitz was born in Berlin and pursued a career in the Prussian army, rising to the rank of general. He acted as a diplomat for Prussia in various European courts, negotiating key treaties. In 1850, he was appointed Foreign Minister under King Frederick William IV. He advocated for a federal union of German states under Prussian leadership and sought moderate constitutional reform. His policies sparked controversy and led to his dismissal in 1851. His efforts laid groundwork for later debates on German unification and modern diplomacy.

William M. Evarts built a distinguished legal career, arguing landmark cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, including Ex parte Milligan. He served as U.S. Attorney General under President Ulysses S. Grant, shaping post-Civil War justice policy. As a U.S. Senator from New York, he was instrumental in resolving the disputed 1876 presidential election. Evarts then served as Secretary of State under President Rutherford B. Hayes from 1877 to 1881, negotiating treaties and managing foreign affairs during a critical period of American expansion. His eloquence and legal acumen earned him respect as one of the leading statesmen of his era.