March 18

Born on March 18, 1495, as the youngest daughter of King Henry VII of England. Married King Louis XII of France in 1514 to cement a political alliance between England and France. Widowed within months after Louis's death, she returned to England in 1515. Defied expectations by secretly marrying Charles Brandon, 1st Duke of Suffolk, in 1515. Renowned for her lively personality and charitable works until her death in 1533.

Born in 1554 into the House of Waldeck, he inherited the County of Waldeck-Eisenberg. Josias I oversaw religious reforms and fortified towns to strengthen his territory. He navigated the complex politics of the Holy Roman Empire during the Reformation. His patronage supported local clergy and artisans, fostering cultural growth. He died in 1588, leaving a legacy of stability and development in his county.

Born in 1555 as the youngest brother of Kings Francis II and Charles IX of France. Raised at the French court, he received the title Duke of Anjou and Alençon. He allied with Dutch Protestants and was invited to lead the Dutch Revolt against Spanish rule. He led a failed coup attempt in Antwerp in 1583, known as the French Fury, which damaged his reputation. He died of tuberculosis in 1584, ending French hopes of influence in the Netherlands.

Born in 1603 in Yorkshire, he emigrated to Massachusetts in 1630. Bradstreet became a leading magistrate and helped draft the colony’s legal codes. He served as governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony from 1679 to 1686 and again in 1689. A respected elder statesman, he navigated political tensions during King Philip’s War. He died in 1697, remembered for his steady leadership and ties to poet Anne Bradstreet.

Frederick III was the son of Christian IV and ascended the thrones of Denmark and Norway in 1648. He faced the challenges of the Northern Wars against Sweden and negotiated the Treaty of Copenhagen in 1660. In the same year, he ushered in hereditary and absolute monarchy, centralizing power in the crown. His reign saw the expansion of Denmark’s diplomatic relationships, notably with France and the Holy Roman Empire. He patronized the arts and commissioned major court projects like Frederiksborg Castle. Frederick's governance left a lasting legacy on the structure of the Danish state.

Miloš Obrenović was a Serbian leader who emerged during the First and Second Serbian Uprisings against Ottoman rule. Born in 1780 in Takovo, he became the chief commander in the Serb fight for autonomy in 1815. Through diplomatic skill and negotiations, he secured de facto independence for the Principality of Serbia in 1817. As prince, he implemented reforms in administration, taxation, and education, laying groundwork for state institutions. Obrenović also established the Obrenović dynasty, which remained influential in Serbian politics for decades. His leadership is credited with transitioning Serbia from a rebellion to an autonomous principality within the Ottoman Empire.

John Caldwell Calhoun was a leading American politician and political philosopher, born in 1782 in South Carolina. He served as Vice President under John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson, and held positions as Secretary of War and Secretary of State. Calhoun was a prominent advocate of states’ rights and nullification, arguing that states could reject federal laws they deemed unconstitutional. His economic policies supported Southern agrarian interests and the expansion of slavery. Calhoun’s writings, including A Disquisition on Government, influenced American political thought on federalism and minority rights. He died in 1850, leaving a complex legacy as both a defender of slavery and a states’ rights theorist.

Born in Ayrshire, Scotland, in 1819, McCulloch emigrated to Australia during the gold rush era. He entered politics and was elected to the Victorian Legislative Assembly in 1856. McCulloch served as the 5th Premier of Victoria from 1863 to 1868, overseeing railway expansion and land reform. He returned as Premier in 1870, focusing on fiscal stability and public education initiatives. McCulloch's leadership helped lay the foundations for Victoria's economic development. He is remembered for his pragmatic governance and advocacy of responsible government.

Born in Shoreditch, London, in 1828, Cremer began his career as a tramway conductor and became active in labor movements. He was elected Member of Parliament in 1885, representing Haggerston until 1908. A pioneering advocate of arbitration, he co-founded the Inter-Parliamentary Union in 1889. Cremer's efforts promoted peaceful resolution of international disputes during an era of growing militarism. In 1903, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his leadership in the peace movement. He published influential works on labor rights and international law. Cremer's legacy endures in modern diplomatic and arbitration institutions.

Born in Caldwell, New Jersey, in 1837, Cleveland began his career as a lawyer in Buffalo, New York. He served as Mayor of Buffalo and Governor of New York before winning the presidency in 1884. Cleveland was the only U.S. president to serve two non-consecutive terms (1885–89 and 1893–97). He vetoed over 400 bills, earning a reputation for fighting political corruption and patronage. A staunch supporter of the gold standard, he opposed high tariffs and advocated for limited government spending. Cleveland's administration expanded naval power and enacted civil service reforms. He returned to private law practice after leaving office and remained an elder statesman until his death.

Kicking Bear, born in 1845 on the Great Plains, was a respected leader of the Oglala Lakota known for his eloquence and commitment to his people's welfare. He participated in the Ghost Dance movement, believing its spiritual teachings could restore Native lands and way of life. After the Wounded Knee Massacre, he traveled to Washington D.C., and later to Europe with Buffalo Bill's Wild West show to raise awareness of Native American struggles. His efforts highlighted the injustices faced by indigenous peoples and he continued to speak out until his death in 1904. Kicking Bear's legacy endures as a symbol of resistance and resilience.

William Sulzer was born in 1863 in New York City and built a career as a lawyer before entering politics. Elected Governor of New York in 1912, he clashed with Tammany Hall over reform issues and was impeached and removed from office in 1913, making him the only New York governor to suffer that fate. After his impeachment, Sulzer served several terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, advocating progressive reforms. His experience highlighted the power struggles within early 20th-century American politics. He died in 1941, leaving a complex legacy of ambition, reform, and controversy.