February 24

Emperor Toba (1103-1156) was the 74th emperor of Japan. He ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne at age four in 1107. During his reign, the Fujiwara clan continued to wield significant influence over court affairs. After abdicating in 1123, he entered the Buddhist priesthood and held power behind the scenes through insei (cloistered rule). His era saw cultural growth in literature and the arts as Kyoto flourished under aristocratic patronage. Toba's lengthy reign and legacy shaped the politics of the late Heian period.

Amadeus VII (1360-1391), known as the 'Red Count,' ruled Savoy from 1383 to 1391. He strengthened central authority, improved the duchy's administration, and supported architectural development. His diplomatic skill maintained peace between France and the Holy Roman Empire. He initiated the construction of the Carthusian monastery of La Verne near Nice. His untimely death in a riding accident cut short his promising reign. His reforms laid the groundwork for Savoy's rise as a major European power.

Louis (1413-1465) was Duke of Savoy from 1434 to 1465. He secured his duchy by forging alliances through marriage and strategic diplomacy. Under his rule, Savoy expanded its territories and maintained neutrality in Italian conflicts. He promoted religious foundations and patronized the arts in Chambéry. His long reign provided stability and set the stage for Savoy's later elevation to kingdom status.

Johan Friis (1494-1570) was a leading Danish statesman and Chancellor under King Christian III. He played a pivotal role in consolidating the Protestant Reformation in Denmark and Norway. Friis administered the realm during periods of regency and helped modernize the government's legal and administrative systems. He was a patron of scholars, founding the University of Copenhagen's Collegium Regium. His diplomatic skills maintained peace with the Hanseatic League and neighboring states. Renowned for his integrity and statesmanship, Friis shaped the governance of 16th-century Denmark.

Charles V (1500-1558) was Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain, ruling an empire where the sun never set. Grandson of Ferdinand and Isabella, he inherited Spain, the Netherlands, Austria, and vast overseas territories. During his reign, he defended Catholicism against the Protestant Reformation and faced wars with France and the Ottoman Empire. He presided over the Diet of Worms in 1521, where Martin Luther famously refused to recant his theses. Wearied by endless conflicts, he abdicated in 1556, dividing his realms between his son Philip II and his brother Ferdinand I. He retired to a monastery in Spain, spending his final years in contemplation and writing.

Born in Graz in 1557 as the third son of Emperor Maximilian II and Maria of Spain, Matthias was elected King of Hungary and Bohemia before ascending as Holy Roman Emperor in 1612. His reign was marked by rising tensions between Protestant and Catholic estates, culminating in the early stages of the Thirty Years' War. He pursued a moderate Catholic policy, granting concessions to Protestant states while trying to maintain Habsburg authority. Matthias also acted as a patron of the arts and sciences, supporting the imperial court's cultural life. Lacking direct heirs, his death in 1619 led to succession disputes that further fueled Central European conflicts.

Born in County Londonderry, Ireland in 1721, John McKinly immigrated to Delaware as a young man and established a medical practice. He became active in colonial politics, serving on the local committees of correspondence and safety. In 1777, he was elected President of Delaware, a role equivalent to governor during the Revolutionary War. Shortly after taking office, he was captured by British forces during their occupation of Philadelphia and held until a prisoner exchange. After his release, McKinly returned to medicine and continued public service until his death in 1796. His leadership helped establish the foundations of Delaware’s state government.

Born in Ansbach in 1736, Charles Alexander belonged to the Hohenzollern dynasty and inherited the Margraviate of Brandenburg-Ansbach as an infant. During his reign, he implemented administrative reforms, promoted religious tolerance, and supported the arts and sciences. Facing financial difficulties and political pressures, he negotiated the sale of his territories to King Frederick William II of Prussia in 1791. After transferring sovereignty, Charles Alexander spent his remaining years in England, where he pursued personal interests. His rule marked a period of modernization and fiscal challenges before his death in 1806.

Rama II, born in 1767, ascended the throne of Siam in 1809 as the second ruler of the Chakri dynasty. He is remembered for his love of poetry and the arts, commissioning numerous works that shaped Thai literature and architecture. Under his reign, Siam maintained stability and diplomatic relations with neighboring powers. He supported religious institutions, overseeing the construction of new temples. His patronage fostered a cultural renaissance that influenced Thai identity for generations.

Martin Waltham Bates was born in 1786 and established a successful law practice before entering politics. He served in the Delaware state legislature and was appointed to the U.S. Senate from 1857 to 1859 to fill a vacancy. During his term, he participated in debates over states' rights and territorial expansion in a tumultuous era. Bates was known for his moderate views and legal expertise. After leaving the Senate, he returned to private practice and remained active in Delaware civic affairs.

Lydia Becker was born in 1827 and became a leading figure in the early British women's suffrage movement. She founded and edited the journal The English Woman's Journal to advance women's education and employment rights. Becker also lectured on astronomy and botany, encouraging scientific study among women. She served as secretary of the Manchester National Society for Women's Suffrage and organized petitions to Parliament. Her combined activism and scholarly pursuits made her a pioneer for both women's rights and science education.

Born in Charlottenburg, he began his career in the Prussian army and rose to the rank of general. In 1890 he succeeded Otto von Bismarck as Chancellor under Kaiser Wilhelm II. Caprivi promoted naval expansion, colonial treaties, and trade agreements such as the Caprivi Line. He introduced social and administrative reforms but faced opposition at court and resigned in 1894. His tenure marked the start of Germany’s shift from Bismarckian conservatism to Wilhelmine policies.