October 24

Domitian (Titus Flavius Domitianus) served as Roman emperor from 81 until his assassination in 96 AD. He implemented fiscal reforms and revalued the empire’s coinage to stabilize the economy. A prolific builder, he commissioned monuments like the Arch of Titus and numerous public works in Rome. Domitian’s suspicion of the Senate and autocratic style led to political purges and tensions at court. Militarily, he secured the empire’s frontiers with campaigns in Britain and Germania. After his death, the Senate declared a damnatio memoriae, attempting to erase his legacy, though modern historians recognize his administrative and architectural contributions.

David Stewart was born in 1378 as the eldest son of King Robert III of Scotland. As Duke of Rothesay, he was heir to the Scottish throne and held the title of Prince of Scotland. His relationship with his uncle, Robert, Duke of Albany, became strained over territorial disputes. Imprisoned at Falkland Palace under suspicious circumstances, Stewart died there in 1402 at age 23. His death sparked controversy and may have been the result of neglect or foul play. The episode highlighted the fragility of royal succession during late medieval Scotland.

Isabella of Portugal was born in 1503 as the daughter of Manuel I of Portugal. In 1515, she married Christian II and became Queen consort of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. A patron of Renaissance humanism, she fostered cultural and intellectual exchanges between courts. Isabella commissioned translations of classical texts and supported artists and scholars. Her influence at court was overshadowed by her husband’s political struggles and eventual exile. After Christian II was deposed, she returned to Portugal, spending her later years in relative seclusion before her death in 1539.

Richard Temple, 1st Viscount Cobham, was born in 1675 into an influential aristocratic family. He pursued a military career, rising to the rank of field marshal and serving in the War of the Spanish Succession. Temple held several political offices, including Member of Parliament and Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, earning a reputation as a capable administrator. Elevated to the peerage as Viscount Cobham in 1718, he was a supporter of the Whig government. He was also known for his patronage of the arts and the gardens at his estate at Stowe. Temple’s dual legacy as a soldier and politician shaped early Georgian Britain.

Massimo d’Azeglio (1798–1866) was an Italian nobleman, writer, and political leader. He served as Prime Minister of Sardinia-Piedmont from 1849 to 1852, promoting moderate liberal reforms. D’Azeglio was a key figure in the Italian unification movement, advocating constitutional monarchy. Alongside his political career, he published historical novels that celebrated Italian history and identity. An accomplished painter, he captured landscapes and scenes from his travels with a Romantic style. D’Azeglio’s multifaceted contributions helped shape the cultural and political landscape of 19th-century Italy.

James Schoolcraft Sherman (1855–1912) was the 27th Vice President of the United States. Elected in 1908 alongside President William Howard Taft, he represented New York politics. Sherman previously served nine terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. Known for his advocacy of tariff reform and support for business interests. He was the third Vice President to die in office, passing away just days before the 1912 election. Sherman’s tenure reflected the Gilded Age’s economic and political challenges.

Born Princess Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg in 1887, she was the granddaughter of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom. She married King Alfonso XIII of Spain in 1906 and served as Queen consort until the proclamation of the Second Republic in 1931. During her tenure, she championed charitable causes and wartime relief efforts. The Spanish Civil War forced her into exile, and she settled first in France and later in Italy. She remained a prominent royal figure and philanthropist until her death in 1969.

Born in 1891 in San Cristóbal, Rafael Trujillo rose through the military ranks to become commander of the Dominican Army. In 1930, he seized power in a coup and established a dictatorial regime that lasted until his assassination in 1961. Trujillo modernized the country’s infrastructure and economy but maintained control through pervasive political repression and human rights abuses. His rule was marked by a personality cult, censorship, and the massacre of thousands of Haitians along the border. After his death, the country struggled to transition to democracy. Trujillo’s legacy remains controversial for both his developmental policies and brutal suppression of opposition.

Born in DeKalb County, Tennessee, in 1910, Joe L. Evins graduated from Vanderbilt University Law School and practiced law before entering politics. In 1946 he was elected as a Democratic representative for Tennessee's 4th district. Over the course of 15 terms, he chaired the House Select Committee on Small Business and advocated for rural electrification and infrastructure improvements. Evins was known for his commitment to his constituents and his pragmatic approach to legislation. He retired from Congress in 1977 and passed away in 1984, remembered as a dedicated public servant.

Lakshmi Sahgal (1914–2012), often called Captain Lakshmi, was a key figure in India's struggle for independence. She commanded the Rani of Jhansi Regiment, an all-women unit of Subhas Chandra Bose's Indian National Army. Prior to her military service, she trained as a physician, reflecting her dedication to care and equality. After independence, she remained active in politics and social causes, advocating for women's rights and public health. Her legacy endures as a symbol of courage and service.

George R. Miller (1922-2014) was an American educator turned politician, best known for serving as Mayor of Tucson, Arizona, from the early 1970s through the mid-1980s. He was a professor of geography at the University of Arizona before entering public office. As mayor, Miller oversaw significant urban development, environmental initiatives, and improvements in public transportation. He championed policies that balanced growth with preservation of the Sonoran Desert landscape, earning widespread support. After leaving office, he continued to advocate for education and environmental conservation. Miller's legacy persists in Tucson's progressive urban planning and commitment to sustainability.