March 20

Born into Mon royalty, Magadu later took the regnal name Wareru upon seizing power. In 1287, he established the independent kingdom of Ramanya, which became known as Hanthawady. Under his leadership, Pegu grew into a center of trade and culture in Lower Burma. He skillfully navigated alliances and conflicts between Mongol invaders and local rivals. His reign set the stage for decades of Mon dominance in the region. Wareru’s legacy is remembered in the chronicles of Myanmar as a model of statecraft and autonomy.

Laurence Hastings inherited the earldom of Pembroke in 1324 at a young age. As a powerful marcher lord, he held strategic lands along the Wales-England border. He participated in King Edward III’s military campaigns against the Scots and French. Hastings was known for his courtly presence and patronage of religious institutions. He died in 1348, leaving the title to his young daughter, creating a succession crisis. His tenure helped shape the governance of the Welsh marches during a tumultuous period.

Dara Shikoh was the eldest son of Emperor Shah Jahan and heir apparent to the Mughal throne. An accomplished scholar, he translated and interpreted Sufi and Hindu texts, including the Upanishads. He advocated for religious tolerance, coining the term 'Din-i-Ilahi' for a syncretic faith. Dara commissioned Persian translations of Sanskrit classics, promoting cultural exchange. After losing the war of succession to his brother Aurangzeb, he was executed in 1659. His intellectual pursuits and tragic end have inspired later debates on freedom and pluralism.

Born in 1639 in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. Elected Hetman of the Ukrainian Cossack Hetmanate in 1687. Negotiated treaties with Muscovy and Sweden to defend Ukrainian interests. Allied with Charles XII during the Great Northern War. Spent his final years in exile after the Battle of Poltava. Remembered as a symbol of Ukrainian resistance and statehood aspirations.

Born in 1725 as the son of Sultan Ahmed III. Ascended the throne in 1774 amidst military and fiscal crises. Oversaw the signing of the Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca, ceding territories to Russia. Initiated modest administrative and fiscal reforms to stabilize the empire. Faced internal unrest and rebellions in the Balkans and Anatolia. Died in 1789, remembered for his efforts to navigate a powerful empire through decline.

Born in 1737 in Ayutthaya as Thongduang. Rose to prominence as a military leader against Burmese invasions. Proclaimed King Rama I in 1782 and established Bangkok as the new capital. Reformed the administrative and legal systems of Siam. Patronized Buddhism and oversaw the construction of the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew. Died in 1809, leaving a legacy of national consolidation and cultural revival.

Born in 1796 in London into a family of colonial interest. Developed the 'systematic colonization' theory advocating land sales to fund emigration. His ideas shaped the founding of South Australia and the Wakefield colonization schemes. Served time in prison for abducting a minor in a notorious legal case. Wrote influential works such as 'Letter from Sydney' and 'Positive Good of Emigration'. Died in 1862, his theories left a lasting mark on British colonial policy.

Born in 1800 in Cartago, Costa Rica. First served as Head of State from 1835 to 1837, focusing on fiscal reform. Returned to power in 1838 and centralized government functions under the 'Carrillo Regime'. Improved infrastructure, established the state bank, and promoted education. Overthrown in 1842 and spent his final years in political exile. Died in 1845, his tenure laid foundations for modern Costa Rican governance.

Born in 1811 in Paris as Napoleon François Charles Joseph. Given the title King of Rome at birth by his father, Napoleon I. Proclaimed Emperor of the French by Bonapartists after his father's abdication. Never ruled and was taken to Austria, raised under the title Duke of Reichstadt. Developed into a cultured youth but suffered from ill health. Died of tuberculosis in 1832 at the age of 21. Regarded as a poignant symbol of the Napoleonic legacy.

George Caleb Bingham was a 19th-century American painter celebrated for his vivid depictions of daily life along the Missouri River. His genre paintings, such as 'Fur Traders Descending the Missouri,' capture the spirit of the American frontier. Bingham served two terms as State Treasurer of Missouri, blending his artistic vision with public service. He helped popularize the Luminist style and influenced generations of American artists. His work remains a touchstone for understanding 19th-century America.

Patrick Jennings emigrated from Northern Ireland to Australia in the mid-19th century. He entered colonial politics and served as the 11th Premier of New South Wales from 1886 to 1887. Jennings advocated for infrastructure development and fiscal responsibility. A businessman as well as a politician, he supported mining interests and public works projects. His tenure helped shape the economic landscape of colonial Australia.

Solomon L. Spink was a 19th-century American lawyer who played a key role in the early governance of the Dakota Territory. After moving west, he practiced law and was elected as the territory's delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives. In Congress from 1873 to 1877, Spink advocated for territorial organization and development. He helped draft legislation that paved the way for statehood. His legal and political work contributed to shaping the Upper Midwest.