February 15

A member of the Neapolitan branch of the Angevin dynasty, Ladislaus ascended the throne at a young age. He fought repeatedly against Louis II of Anjou and sought to expand his influence in Italy. His conflicts with the papacy led to excommunications but also shifting alliances with major powers. Despite his military efforts, his rule was challenged by mercenary bands and internal dissent. He died childless in 1414, leaving the kingdom in a fragile state and ending his branch's direct line.

Ivan the Young was the firstborn son of Ivan III and Maria of Tver, designated heir to the Grand Principality of Moscow. He was appointed regent of Novgorod in his youth and played a key role in consolidating Muscovite power. His rivalry with his younger brother Dmitry and court intrigue led to his removal as heir. He died unexpectedly in 1490 before ascending the throne, altering the succession of the Russian rulership. His premature death shaped the future of the Moscow principality and the rise of Vasili III.

Born into the influential Medici dynasty, Piero assumed de facto leadership of Florence after his father Lorenzo's death. His unpopular concessions to King Charles VIII of France in 1494 triggered the expulsion of the Medici. Dubbed 'the Unfortunate' for his diplomatic failures, he led a short-lived and troubled rule. Exiled from Florence, he sought support across Italian courts but never regained his family's former power. He spent his final years wandering Europe and died in 1503, his reputation overshadowed by his father's legacy.

Juliana of Stolberg hailed from the noble Stolberg family and married William of Nassau, becoming Countess of Nassau. She bore sixteen children, many of whom played significant roles in the Dutch Revolt against Spanish rule. Her guidance and networks helped secure Protestant alliances in Europe during a time of religious conflict. Known for her intellectual interests, she maintained correspondence with leading reformers of her era. Juliana's legacy endures through her descendants, who shaped the future of the Netherlands and European politics.

Pedro Menéndez de Avilés was a seasoned naval commander who secured Spain's claims in La Florida. In 1565, he founded St. Augustine to counter French encroachment and establish a strategic Atlantic foothold. He served as the first governor of Florida, overseeing defense, colonization, and relations with indigenous peoples. His expeditions extended Spanish influence along the Gulf Coast and defended the settlement against rival powers. Known for his administrative skill and maritime leadership, he died in 1574 after a notable career. St. Augustine remains a testament to his ambitious vision for Spanish America.

Acceded to the French throne at age five and initially ruled under the regency of Philippe II, Duke of Orléans. His reign of nearly 59 years witnessed cultural flourishing, including the Rococo movement and Enlightenment salons. Louis XV expanded French colonial territories in North America and India but faced costly wars like the War of the Austrian Succession and the Seven Years' War. Despite attempts at reform, his authority weakened due to court intrigue and financial strain. Nicknamed “Louis the Beloved,” he was both celebrated for his patronage of the arts and criticized for military defeats. He died in 1774, leaving a legacy that set the stage for the challenges of his successor, Louis XVI.

Born in Elizabethtown, New Jersey, Abraham Clark trained as a surveyor before studying law. He served in the Continental Congress from 1776 to 1778 and again from 1781 to 1791, representing New Jersey. Clark was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, advocating colonial rights and unity. His legal practice and public service helped shape early American governance and judicial systems. After independence, he supported the Northwest Ordinance and the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. Clark's dedication to the American Revolution earned him recognition as a key figure among the nation’s founders.

Domingo Faustino Sarmiento was born in 1811 and first gained recognition as a journalist and educator through his critical writings. He advocated for a strong public education system as essential for national progress. Elected President of Argentina in 1868, he implemented far-reaching reforms in schools and infrastructure. Under his leadership, teacher training colleges were established and primary schooling expanded across the country. Sarmiento also promoted European immigration to stimulate economic and cultural growth. His influential writings on society and governance remain foundational works in Latin American literature. He died in 1888, remembered as a father of Argentine education and modernization.

Susan B. Anthony was born in 1820 and became one of the most prominent leaders of the women's suffrage movement in the United States. She co-founded the National Woman Suffrage Association in 1869 and tirelessly campaigned for women's voting rights. Anthony traveled extensively, delivering speeches, organizing conventions, and lobbying legislators across the nation. She collaborated with other reformers, including Elizabeth Cady Stanton, to publish influential writings on equal rights. In 1872, her arrest for voting illegally brought national attention to the suffrage cause. Anthony's efforts laid the groundwork for the Nineteenth Amendment, ratified decades after her death. She died in 1906, remembered as a pioneering advocate for gender equality and civil rights.

Carter Harrison Sr. was born in 1825 and pursued a career in law before entering politics. Elected as the 29th Mayor of Chicago, he led the city through explosive expansion and economic change. Harrison championed infrastructure improvements, including public transportation and modern waterworks. He advocated for fair labor practices and sought to integrate diverse immigrant communities into city governance. His pragmatic leadership style combined populist appeals with administrative reform. After leaving office, he remained an influential figure in Illinois politics until his death. He died in 1893, leaving a lasting imprint on Chicago's civic institutions and urban landscape.

Titu Maiorescu was born in 1840 and studied philosophy and law abroad before returning as an academic in Romania. He became a professor at the University of Iași, introducing modern literary and philosophical criticism to his students. He co-founded the Junimea society, a pivotal forum for Romanian intellectual and cultural debates. Maiorescu served as the 23rd Prime Minister of Romania from 1912 to 1913, enacting educational and judicial reforms. His theoretical works on aesthetics and dialectics influenced generations of Romanian scholars. By blending philosophical inquiry with political service, he helped shape Romania's cultural and institutional development. He died in 1917, leaving a lasting legacy as both a statesman and a thinker.

Manuel Ferraz de Campos Sales was born in 1841 in Campinas, Brazil. He trained as a lawyer before embarking on a political career in São Paulo. He served as President of Brazil from 1898 to 1902, overseeing economic stabilization and coffee export agreements. His administration introduced fiscal reforms that strengthened the national budget and foreign relations. After leaving the presidency, he continued to influence Brazilian politics until his death in 1913.