March 09

Sverre Sigurdsson was a Norwegian king born around 1151, who led the Birkebeiner faction to victory in the civil wars of Norway. After claiming the throne in 1184, he reformed the kingdom’s administration and established the House of Sverre. His reign was marked by military campaigns against rival factions and efforts to centralize royal authority. He negotiated peace and alliances with neighboring kingdoms and the Church, securing Norway’s position in Scandinavia. Sverre died in 1202, but his dynasty ruled Norway for two more generations, shaping its medieval history.

Born in Piedmont in 1533, David Rizzio moved to Scotland and became private secretary and chamberlain to Mary, Queen of Scots. His close relationship with the queen and influence at court provoked jealousy among Scottish nobles. On March 9, 1566, Rizzio was brutally murdered in Holyrood Palace in a conspiracy led by Lord Darnley and other nobles. His death intensified political turmoil and contributed to Mary’s eventual downfall. Rizzio’s story remains a dramatic example of court intrigue during the Renaissance.

James Hamilton, born in 1606, inherited the title of Earl of Arran and later became the 1st Duke of Hamilton in 1643. As a soldier, he commanded Royalist forces in Scotland and allied with King Charles I against Parliamentarian armies. Hamilton’s defeat at the Battle of Preston led to his capture by Oliver Cromwell’s forces. He was tried and executed for treason in 1649, one of the last nobles to be put to death after the Civil Wars. His leadership and death marked a significant chapter in the struggle between monarchy and Parliament in 17th-century Britain.

Born in 1590, Henry Rich was the younger son of the 1st Earl of Warwick and became a favorite of King Charles I. He demonstrated military skill in the French Wars of Religion before returning to England and being created Earl of Holland in 1624. Initially a supporter of Parliament, Rich later defected to the Royalist side, reflecting the era’s complex allegiances. Captured at St Neots in 1648, he was executed by Parliament in 1649. His life illustrates the personal and political conflicts that defined the English Civil Wars.

Giulio Mazzarino, known as Cardinal Mazarin, was born in Pescina in 1602 and rose through the ecclesiastical ranks in Rome. In 1642 he succeeded Cardinal Richelieu as France’s chief minister under King Louis XIV and Queen Regent Anne of Austria. Mazarin guided France through the final years of the Thirty Years’ War and negotiated the Peace of Westphalia in 1648. He centralized royal authority, suppressed internal revolts, and laid the groundwork for French absolutism. A patron of the arts, Mazarin amassed a significant collection of paintings and books. He died in Paris in 1661, leaving a legacy as a shrewd diplomat and architect of France’s political ascendancy.

Ralph Montagu, born in 1638, began his career as a courtier under King Charles II, serving in the diplomatic service in France. His loyalty to the crown and diplomatic successes led to his creation as Earl and later 1st Duke of Montagu. Montagu held several high offices, including Lord Chamberlain, and was known for his patronage of the arts and lavish court entertainments. He played a key role in strengthening Anglo-French relations during his ambassadorship. Montagu died in 1709, and his titles and estates passed to his descendants, who continued his political legacy.

William I was born in 1797 in Berlin and became King of Prussia in 1861. He worked closely with Chancellor Otto von Bismarck to unify the German states through diplomatic and military means. Under his leadership, Prussia achieved victories in the Austro-Prussian War of 1866 and the Franco-Prussian War of 1870–71. In 1871, William was proclaimed the first German Emperor at the Palace of Versailles, marking the birth of the German Empire. His reign established constitutional monarchy and modernized the Prussian military and administration. Despite his conservative outlook, he accepted reforms that strengthened the new empire. William died on March 9, 1888, and was succeeded by his son Frederick III.

Born in 1904 in Ebingen, Kiesinger studied law and earned a doctorate at the University of Tübingen. He entered politics with the Christian Democratic Union after World War II and quickly rose through its ranks. In 1966, Kiesinger became Chancellor, forming the first Grand Coalition between the CDU/CSU and SPD. His government tackled economic challenges and sought to advance West Germany's international relations. During his tenure, the country experienced moderate growth and improved relations with Eastern Bloc states. After leaving office in 1969, Kiesinger remained a Bundestag member and continued to advise on foreign policy. He died on March 9, 1988, remembered for his pragmatic leadership during a period of social change.

Born in 1913 in Brest-Litovsk (now Belarus), Begin became a leader in the Zionist Revisionist movement. He led the Irgun paramilitary organization against British rule before the founding of Israel in 1948. Begin entered Israeli politics with the Herut party and formed the Likud alliance, becoming Prime Minister in 1977. His government negotiated the Camp David Accords with Egypt in 1978, leading to the first peace treaty between Israel and an Arab state. For this achievement, Begin shared the Nobel Peace Prize with Egyptian President Anwar Sadat in 1978. During his tenure, he pursued settlement expansion and maintained a firm stance against terrorism. Begin resigned in 1983 and retired from public life, passing away on March 9, 1992, leaving a complex legacy.

Bernard Dowiyogo was born in 1946 in Nauru and entered politics in 1973 at a young age. He served as President of Nauru seven times between 1976 and 2003, navigating the challenges of a resource-dependent island nation. At age 29, he became one of the youngest heads of state in the world. He advocated for economic diversification, focusing on phosphate mining revenues and international diplomacy. Despite political instability, he was known for his persistence and leadership during periods of financial crisis. His unexpected death from a heart attack on March 9, 2003, occurred while he was in office. He is remembered for his contributions to Nauru's national identity and governance.

John Profumo was born in 1915 and served as a lieutenant in the Grenadier Guards during World War II. He entered politics as a Conservative Member of Parliament in 1940 and quickly rose through party ranks. In 1960, he was appointed Secretary of State for War, overseeing Britain's military affairs during the Cold War. Profumo's career ended abruptly in 1963 when his affair with Christine Keeler became a national scandal, forcing his resignation. Despite this setback, he dedicated the rest of his life to charitable work, particularly for disabled and disadvantaged children. He was awarded a CBE in 1975 for his community service. Profumo died on March 9, 2006, and is remembered for both his public service and personal redemption.

Doris Haddock was born in 1910 and began her public activism in her late eighties after hearing about the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act. At age 89, she embarked on a 3,200-mile walk from California to Washington, D.C., to call for stricter limits on political campaign spending. Spending over a year on foot, she met citizens across the country, raising awareness about the influence of money in politics. Her journey earned her the nickname 'Granny D' and national media attention. In 2004, at age 94, she ran for the U.S. Senate seat from New Hampshire, emphasizing grassroots democracy. Even in her nineties, she continued to give speeches and write on civic engagement and the need for political reform. Haddock passed away on March 9, 2010, leaving a powerful example of lifelong commitment to democratic principles.