March 13

Born in 1372 into the Valois dynasty, Louis I became Duke of Orléans at a young age. As brother to King Charles VI, he wielded significant influence in the French court. His rivalry with the Duke of Burgundy sparked the Armagnac–Burgundian Civil War. Louis was a patron of the arts and commissioned important works of the early Renaissance. In 1407, he was assassinated by agents of John the Fearless, a moment that escalated France's internal conflict. His death had lasting political repercussions and shaped the Hundred Years' War.

Born in 1560 into the House of Nassau, William Louis became Count of Nassau-Dillenburg. He served as stadtholder of Friesland and other northern provinces in the Dutch Republic. A skilled commander, he introduced the oblique order formation, influencing modern military tactics. William Louis fought against Spanish forces during the Eighty Years' War alongside his cousin William the Silent. He was also a scholar of ancient military texts and corresponded with contemporary humanists. His reforms and leadership contributed to the emergence of the Dutch Republic as a European power. He died in 1620 after a distinguished military career.

Born in 1719 as John Griffin, he inherited the title 4th Baron Howard de Walden in 1763. Griffin enjoyed a distinguished military career, rising to the rank of field marshal in the British Army. He saw service in key conflicts such as the War of the Austrian Succession and the Seven Years’ War. In politics, he held the ceremonial post of Lord Lieutenant of Essex, representing the Crown locally. A patron of the arts and sciences, he supported agricultural improvements on his estates. Griffin's leadership and civic roles made him a notable figure in 18th-century British society. He died in 1797, remembered for both his military service and regional influence.

Joseph II, born in 1741, was the eldest son of Empress Maria Theresa and became Holy Roman Emperor in 1765. Inspired by Enlightenment ideals, he sought to modernize the Habsburg dominions with sweeping reforms. He granted religious freedom to non-Catholic Christians and Jews, abolished serfdom on paper, and reorganized the empire’s bureaucracy. His reforms challenged the traditional privileges of the nobility and the Catholic Church. Despite his intentions, many measures faced resistance and were partly reversed after his death in 1790. Known as one of the most radical 'enlightened despots', his reign left a lasting impact on Central European history.

Born in 1764, Grey led the Whig party and became Prime Minister in 1830. His ministry achieved major reforms including the Great Reform Act, which expanded the electoral franchise and reformed parliamentary representation. He also oversaw the Slavery Abolition Act 1833, ending slavery across the British Empire. Known for his moderate and principled stance, he navigated political challenges to modernize British governance. Earl Grey tea is named after him, commemorating his legacy. His leadership set the stage for further democratic advances in Victorian Britain.

Born in 1800, he rose through the Ottoman bureaucracy to become Grand Vizier several times between 1839 and 1858. Reşid Pasha spearheaded the Tanzimat era, a series of reforms aiming to modernize the empire’s legal, administrative, and educational systems. He secured foreign loans, reorganized the army, and introduced the Hatt-ı Şerif of Gülhane, which guaranteed basic rights to all subjects. His diplomatic skills helped navigate complex relations with European powers. Although faced with internal resistance, his reforms laid groundwork for future modernization. He died in 1858, leaving a legacy of transformation in the late Ottoman period.

Born in Manchester, England, Roberts emigrated to the Utah Territory as a child. He became a leading historian of the Latter-day Saints, authoring the multi-volume 'Comprehensive History of the Church.' In politics, he served as Utah's delegate to the U.S. Congress, advocating for statehood and religious representation. A prominent leader in the LDS Church, he held high ecclesiastical office and shaped modern church scholarship. His work bridged religious history and public service, influencing both academia and politics. He remains a central figure in Latter-day Saint historiography and American political history.

Dorothy Tangney made history in 1943 as the first woman elected to the Australian Senate, representing Western Australia. Born in 1907 in North Perth, she began her career as a social worker before entering politics through the Labor Party. During her 25-year tenure, she championed social welfare policies, mental health reforms, and equal rights for women. Tangney worked tirelessly for improved healthcare and education, often speaking out for remote and underrepresented communities. Her advocacy helped pave the way for future generations of female politicians in Australia. She retired in 1968 and died in 1985.

William J. Casey was born in 1913 in Elmhurst, New York, and graduated from Fordham University and Harvard Law School. He served in the Office of Strategic Services during World War II before advising Presidents Nixon and Ford on foreign policy. Appointed CIA Director in 1981 by President Reagan, he oversaw key Cold War operations, including support for Afghan mujahideen and the Nicaraguan Contras. Casey’s leadership helped shape Reagan’s national security strategy, though his tenure was later clouded by the Iran-Contra affair. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and served until his death in 1987.

Marie Corinne 'Lindy' Boggs was a pioneering American politician and diplomat from Louisiana. In 1973, she became the first woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from her state, where she served five terms advocating for civil rights and education. After her congressional career, Boggs was appointed the first female U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See, strengthening ties between the United States and the Vatican. Known for her bipartisan spirit and grace under pressure, she became a role model for women in public service. Boggs's enduring legacy includes her work on social welfare and her commitment to bipartisan cooperation.

Carlos Roberto Reina was a Honduran lawyer and politician who served as President of Honduras from 1994 to 1998. He championed democratic reforms, transparency, and human rights following years of military influence in the country. Reina implemented anti-corruption measures and worked to strengthen the judicial system to ensure accountability. His administration also invested in social programs aimed at reducing poverty and improving education. Reina's commitment to democratic principles left a lasting mark on Honduras's political landscape.

Born in 1929, Zbigniew Messner rose through the ranks as an economist and party official in the Polish United Workers' Party. He held various positions in the Ministry of Finance and later became deputy prime minister before being appointed prime minister in 1985. During his tenure, he navigated economic challenges and implemented reforms aimed at stabilizing Poland's economy amid growing social unrest. Messner's term saw increasing pressure from the Solidarity movement and a shifting political landscape that ultimately led to the end of communist rule. After leaving office in 1988, he continued to work in economic consultancy and academia. He remained a respected figure in Polish economic circles until his death in 2014.