January 28

Born in 687, Yazid II succeeded his father Umar II as caliph in 720. He governed from Damascus and faced revolts in Transoxiana and Armenia. Yazid implemented administrative reforms and restored properties to some Christian communities. His policies drew both praise and criticism from different religious groups. He dealt with tensions among Muslim sects, notably the Qadariyya and Shi'a. Yazid II died suddenly on January 28, 724 and was succeeded by his brother Hisham. His short but eventful reign left a complex legacy in early Islamic history.

Born in 742 as the son of King Pepin the Short of the Franks. He became King of the Franks in 768 and King of the Lombards in 774 after conquering the Lombard kingdom. In 800, Pope Leo III crowned him Emperor of the Romans, reviving the idea of a Western Roman Empire. Charlemagne implemented administrative and legal reforms, standardized weights and measures, and promoted education. His patronage of scholars sparked the Carolingian Renaissance, a revival of art and learning. He expanded his realm through military campaigns across modern-day France, Germany, and Italy. Charlemagne died on January 28, 814, leaving a legacy that shaped medieval European civilization.

Born in 858, Gao Jixing began his career as a military governor under the Later Liang dynasty. In 909, he asserted de facto independence by establishing the Jingnan kingdom centered in Jingzhou. He navigated relationships with neighboring states through diplomacy and military strength to preserve his realm. Gao fortified key cities and promoted economic development along the Yangtze River. He patronized Buddhism and supported the construction of temples. Gao Jixing died in 929, leaving behind a small but resilient kingdom during a fragmented era in Chinese history.

Born in 1031 as a member of the Přemyslid dynasty. He succeeded his brother Bretislav I and ruled Bohemia as duke from 1055. Spytihněv II strengthened central authority by curbing the influence of powerful nobles. He supported the Gregorian Reform movement and promoted the Christian church in his lands. He managed diplomatic relations with the Holy Roman Empire to secure his duchy’s position. Spytihněv II died unexpectedly on January 28, 1061, after a brief but impactful reign.

Born in 1227 into the House of Holland as the son of Count Floris IV. He became Count of Holland in 1256 and was elected King of the Romans (King of Germany) in 1247. William sought to strengthen his authority over German princes and to secure imperial influence. He maintained alliances with the Papacy to legitimize his rule. William died unexpectedly in a tournament at Corbie in 1256. His death led to a succession crisis and impacted the political balance within the Holy Roman Empire.

Born in 1247, Isabella was the daughter of King James I of Aragon. She married Philip III of France in 1262 and became queen consort. Isabella played a supportive role at court, promoting religious institutions and charity. She strengthened ties between the French and Aragonese crowns through her family connections. The queen gave birth to several children, including the future Philip IV. Isabella died in 1271 at the age of 24, leaving a legacy of devotion and royal alliance.

Dervorguilla’s early life details are uncertain, but she was born into the powerful ruling family of Galloway. She married John I de Balliol and together managed substantial estates in southern Scotland. After her husband’s death, she governed her lands with notable administrative skill. In 1282, she endowed funds that led to the founding of Balliol College at Oxford. Dervorguilla was known for her piety and charitable support of the church. She died on January 28, 1290, leaving a cultural and educational legacy that endures to this day.

Born in 1365, Robert le Maçon was a trusted diplomat under King Charles VII of France. He negotiated treaties and alliances that helped stabilize the kingdom during the final stages of the Hundred Years’ War. His efforts contributed to the strengthening of royal authority and the recovery of French territories. Le Maçon’s skillful diplomacy set the stage for France’s resurgence in the 15th century. He remained a key advisor until his death in 1443.

John Dynham, born in 1433, was created 1st Baron Dynham for his loyal service to the English crown. As Lord High Treasurer, he managed the kingdom’s finances through the political upheavals of the Wars of the Roses. Dynham skillfully navigated shifting allegiances among rival factions and maintained the treasury’s stability. His administrative acumen laid a foundation for the financial reforms of the early Tudor period. He died in 1501, leaving behind a reputation as a steadfast royal minister.

Henry VIII was born in 1491 and ascended to the English throne in 1509. His reign is remembered for the dramatic break with the Roman Catholic Church and the establishment of the Church of England. He famously married six times in his quest for a male heir, executing two of his wives in the process. Henry also expanded royal authority and patronized the arts, commissioning works from Hans Holbein the Younger. His policies transformed English society, law, and religion before his death in 1547.

Thomas Bodley, born in 1545, served as an English diplomat under Elizabeth I, undertaking missions to Geneva and Paris. A passionate scholar, he amassed a significant collection of books and manuscripts. In 1602, Bodley endowed the University of Oxford with funds and his collection to establish a new library. His foundation led to the opening of the Bodleian Library, which has become one of the world’s most important research libraries. Bodley’s vision for open access to knowledge shaped the future of academic scholarship. He died in 1613, leaving a lasting intellectual legacy.

Pierre Séguier, born in 1588, rose through the ranks of the French legal system to become Chancellor of France in 1635. He played a pivotal role in reforming the judiciary and strengthening royal authority under Cardinal Richelieu. Séguier presided over the Parlement of Paris and supported the establishment of the Académie française. His tenure saw the centralization of power and the standardization of legal procedures. Séguier was also a patron of the arts and letters, amassing a renowned library. He died in 1672, having left an indelible mark on the French state.