February 20

Born in 1358 to the royal family of Aragon. Married King John I of Castile in 1375. As queen consort she played a significant role in diplomatic relations between Aragon and Castile. Known for her patronage of the arts and devotion to her subjects. Died in 1382 at age 24.

Born in 1549 in Pesaro, Italy. Succeeded his father Guidobaldo II as Duke of Urbino in 1574. Maintained his court as a center of Renaissance art and learning, patronizing artists like Federico Barocci. Married twice but left no male heir, leading him to sell the duchy to Pope Urban VIII in 1625. His reign marked the end of the della Rovere dynasty. Died in 1631.

Born in 1608 to a prominent Staffordshire family. Created Baron Capell of Hadham in 1641 and appointed Lord President of Wales. Staunch Royalist who raised troops for King Charles I during the English Civil War. Captured by Parliamentarians and executed in 1649, becoming a martyr for the Royalist cause. Remembered for his unwavering loyalty and leadership in a time of crisis.

Born in 1631, Osborne rose through court ranks after the Restoration of Charles II. Served as Treasurer of the Navy and later as Lord High Treasurer under William III. Key figure in the 'Country Party', advocating for parliamentary power and financial reform. Instrumental in negotiating the Treaty of the Triple Alliance against France. Retired in 1699 and was honored as Duke of Leeds. Died in 1712.

Born in 1744, William Cornwallis embarked on a naval career that saw him rise to the rank of admiral. He served with distinction during the American Revolutionary and French Revolutionary Wars. Known for his strict discipline tempered with humanity towards prisoners. He organized blockades and commanded fleets in key naval engagements. After retiring from active service, he served as a Member of Parliament representing Lostwithiel. His leadership and reforms influenced Royal Navy practices into the 19th century.

Born in 1745, Henry James Pye studied at Winchester College and Christ Church, Oxford. He was appointed Poet Laureate in 1790, serving until his death in 1813. Pye served as Member of Parliament for Berkshire and held the office of High Sheriff. Although his poetry received mixed reviews, his official verses were widely circulated. He authored pastoral and classical works, embodying the tastes of his era. His tenure as Laureate saw him compose occasional poetry for royal occasions.

Born in 1748 in Maryland, Luther Martin trained in law and became the state’s Attorney General. He represented Maryland at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, where he famously opposed a strong central government. Martin argued that the proposed Constitution endangered individual and state liberties. After the convention he returned to legal practice and became a prominent defense attorney. He defended Aaron Burr in his 1807 trial and continued to influence American jurisprudence. His writings and speeches remain important records of early American constitutional debates.

Born in 1753, Louis-Alexandre Berthier had a distinguished military career during the French Revolutionary Wars. Appointed Napoleon’s chief of staff in 1796, he organized the Grande Armée and planned campaigns across Europe. He was made a Marshal of the Empire and Prince of Neuchâtel for his service. As Minister of Defence, Berthier managed France’s armies and military administration. He remained loyal to Napoleon through the Hundred Days and was exiled after Waterloo. His organizational skills were key to the efficiency of Napoleonic warfare.

Alfred Escher was instrumental in modernizing Switzerland’s infrastructure during the 19th century. As a visionary parliamentarian, he secured government support for the expansion of railways, linking the country’s major cities and driving economic growth. Escher co-founded Schweizerische Kreditanstalt (now Credit Suisse) to finance industrial ventures, establishing a model for modern banking. He also championed the foundation of the Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich (now ETH Zurich). Escher’s dual legacy in politics and business cemented his reputation as one of Switzerland’s most influential figures of his era.

Jay Johnson Morrow was an American civil engineer and military officer who became the third Governor of the Panama Canal Zone. Born in 1870, he was responsible for overseeing the administration and operations of the Panama Canal. During his tenure from 1921 to 1924, he managed major infrastructure improvements and public health initiatives. His leadership helped modernize canal locks and reduce tropical diseases among workers. After leaving office, Morrow continued to contribute to engineering projects and military education. He left a lasting impact on one of the world's most important maritime passages.

Vincent Massey was a Canadian lawyer, diplomat, and statesman who served as the 18th Governor General of Canada from 1952 to 1959. Born in 1887 in Toronto, he studied at Balliol College, Oxford, and practiced law before entering public service. Massey represented Canada as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and fostered cultural diplomacy. As Governor General, he championed Canadian arts, establishing institutions like the Massey Commission on culture. His leadership helped promote a distinct Canadian identity. Massey was also an avid art collector and philanthropist until his death in 1967.

Born in 1898, Ciliga became involved in communist movements across Europe. He joined the Communist Party of Yugoslavia and later penned the memoir 'The Russian Enigma,' critically examining Stalinism. His writings offered early Western insights into Soviet totalitarianism and influenced political discourse. He founded and published periodicals that advocated for reform in Croatia. Despite facing persecution, he continued to write novels, essays, and commentary on European politics. Ciliga's work remains a vital source for understanding early 20th-century ideological struggles.