March 02

Born in 1316, Robert was the grandson of Robert the Bruce and ascended to the throne in 1371 as Robert II of Scotland. His reign marked the beginning of the Stewart dynasty, which would rule Scotland and later England for centuries. He worked to consolidate royal authority and managed complex relationships with powerful nobles. His marriage alliances strengthened the dynasty's claim, and he navigated border conflicts with England. Though his reign saw periods of unrest, his establishment of Stewart rule had a lasting impact on Scottish history.

Jean II, born in 1409, inherited the duchy of Alençon and governed his domain during the turbulent closing phases of the Hundred Years' War. He supported King Charles VII in campaigns to reclaim territories occupied by the English and defended his lands against incursions. As duke, he implemented reforms to strengthen local administration and justice. He maintained the chivalric traditions of French nobility while adapting to changing warfare strategies. He died in 1476, remembered for his loyalty to the crown and role in France's recovery after decades of conflict.

Born in 1432 as the daughter of Otto I, Count Palatine of Mosbach, Margaret married Reinhard II of Hanau and served as countess consort. She played a key role in court life, overseeing household affairs and patronizing local churches and charitable works. Her marriage strengthened political ties between Mosbach and Hanau, influencing regional alliances. Known for her piety and support of religious institutions, she helped found and maintain churches in her territories. She died in 1457, leaving a legacy of dynastic unity and cultural patronage in Hanau.

Born in Rotterdam in 1628, Cornelis Speelman entered service with the Dutch East India Company at a young age. Rising through the ranks, he became Governor-General in 1681, overseeing VOC operations across modern-day Indonesia. Speelman negotiated treaties with local rulers, expanded trade networks, and strengthened Dutch control over spice-producing regions. He implemented administrative reforms and improved coastal defense against rival European powers. Speelman died in Batavia in 1684, remembered for consolidating Dutch colonial rule and shaping the VOC's golden age.

William Murray, 1st Earl of Mansfield (1705–1793) was a Scottish lawyer and judge whose tenure as Lord Chief Justice of the King’s Bench profoundly influenced the development of English commercial law. Appointed in 1756, he presided over landmark cases that modernized legal principles governing trade and contracts. His ruling in Somerset v. Stewart challenged the legality of slavery in England and signaled a progressive approach to human rights. Elevated to the peerage as Earl of Mansfield in 1776, he also held key political offices, advising the government on legal matters. Murray’s legal opinions balanced strict analysis with moral considerations, earning both admiration and critique. His legacy endures in the laws and judicial practices he helped to reform.

Camille Desmoulins (1760–1794) was a French journalist and political activist whose passionate writings stirred popular support for republican ideals. His impassioned pamphlet "La France Libre" famously led to the storming of the Bastille in 1789. As a close associate of the revolutionary leaders Georges Danton and Jean-Paul Marat, Desmoulins used his periodical Les Révolutions de France et de Brabant to critique the monarchy and rally the citizens. However, his calls for moderation during the Reign of Terror ultimately led to his downfall. Accused of counter-revolutionary sympathies, he was guillotined in 1794. Desmoulins is remembered for his eloquence and his belief that free expression was essential to political change.

DeWitt Clinton (1769–1828) was an American statesman who served as Mayor of New York City, U.S. Senator, and Governor of New York. His most enduring achievement was championing the Erie Canal project, which connected the Great Lakes to the Atlantic and transformed trade in the early United States. Clinton’s vision and political skill secured funding and public support for the canal’s construction, completed in 1825. He also ran for President in 1812 and influenced urban development in New York City through infrastructure initiatives. His leadership fostered westward expansion and economic growth. Clinton’s innovative approach to public works set a model for future American infrastructure projects. He died in office in 1828, leaving a legacy of progress and modernization.

Joel Roberts Poinsett (1779–1851) was an American statesman and physician. After practicing medicine, he embarked on a diplomatic career as the first U.S. Minister to Mexico, where he collected botanical specimens, including the plant now named after him. Poinsett later served as Secretary of War under President Martin Van Buren, overseeing military affairs during a period of territorial growth. He also founded the National Institute for the Promotion of Science, Literature, and the Arts, a forerunner to the Smithsonian Institution. His contributions to science, diplomacy, and politics left a lasting imprint on American institutions. Poinsett’s legacy endures in the holiday flower that bears his name and the cultural exchanges he fostered.

Sam Houston (1793–1863) was a pivotal figure in the history of Texas and the United States. He served in the War of 1812 before turning to politics and frontier leadership. Houston commanded the Texian Army at the Battle of San Jacinto in 1836, securing Texas’s independence from Mexico. Elected as the Republic of Texas’s first President, he guided the new nation through diplomatic recognition and internal governance. Houston later served as a U.S. Senator and Governor of Texas, advocating unity and statehood. A staunch Unionist, he opposed Texas’s secession in 1861. His dynamic career and compelling personal story have made him an enduring icon of American frontier history.

Alexander Bullock was an American lawyer and Republican politician who served as the 26th Governor of Massachusetts from 1866 to 1869. Born in 1816 in Massachusetts, he graduated from Dartmouth College and established a successful law practice. He served in both the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate before his election as governor. During his term, he championed economic development, railroad expansion, and improvements to public education. He introduced fiscal reforms that strengthened the state’s financial position and reduced public debt. After leaving office, he returned to law and banking, remaining active in civic affairs until his death in 1882.

Carl Schurz was a German revolutionary turned American statesman, born in 1829. After participating in the 1848 revolutions in Europe, he emigrated to the United States in 1852. He fought as a Union general in the American Civil War, earning recognition at battles such as Chancellorsville. Schurz later served as a U.S. Senator from Missouri and as the 13th Secretary of the Interior under President Hayes. He championed civil service reform, environmental conservation, and Native American rights. Schurz remained an influential voice for liberal causes until his death in 1906.

Susanna M. Salter (1860–1961) was an American politician and women's rights activist. In 1887, she became the first female mayor in the United States, elected in Argonia, Kansas. Nominated by a local men’s group as a prank, she won by overwhelming support. During her term, she emphasized public morality, law enforcement, and temperance. After leaving office, she remained active in the suffrage movement and local civic affairs. Her groundbreaking achievement inspired women’s political participation across the nation.