March 29

Gwynllyw, also known as Saint Woolos, ruled the kingdom of Gwynllwg in the late 400s. He is celebrated for converting to Christianity and establishing monastic communities around Newport. Legendary accounts credit him with defending his lands and then dedicating himself to pious works in his later years. His dual legacy as a warlike ruler and a devoted saint made him a symbol of the transition from pagan kingship to Christian monarchy. Many churches and local traditions in Wales honor his memory.

Born in 1421, Henry Percy inherited the earldom of Northumberland and became a key supporter of King Henry VI. He played a significant role in the Wars of the Roses, leading Lancastrian forces at battles such as Wakefield. On March 29, 1461, he fought at the Battle of Towton, one of the bloodiest clashes of the era. Percy's armies were shattered by Edward IV's Yorkist troops, and he was killed on the field. His death marked the decline of Lancastrian power in northern England, and his lineage would later influence future conflicts.

A member of the English peerage, Lionel Welles held the title 6th Baron Welles and was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in the mid-15th century. He navigated complex Anglo-Irish politics and oversaw military and administrative affairs. With the outbreak of the Wars of the Roses, Welles remained loyal to the Lancastrian cause. He joined forces against the Yorkists and fought at the Battle of Towton on March 29, 1461. Welles was killed in the battle, and his death reflected the wider fall of Lancastrian leadership in England.

Born in 1678 into the House of Hohenzollern, George Frederick II succeeded his father as Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach in 1692. His reign was marked by regional building projects and the patronage of arts and education in Ansbach. Though his rule was brief, he endeavored to strengthen the local economy and administration. He maintained alliances within the Holy Roman Empire and supported military reforms. George Frederick died unexpectedly in 1703 at the age of 25, and his early passing shaped the succession of his principality.

Gustav III (1746–1792) ascended the Swedish throne as a young monarch and became known as an enlightened despot who strengthened royal authority and modernized the state. He implemented judicial and economic reforms, encouraged freedom of the press, and restructured the military in line with Enlightenment principles. A passionate patron of the arts, Gustav founded the Swedish Academy and supported theater, opera, and painting. His court became a lively cultural center that attracted artists and intellectuals from across Europe. Gustav’s reign ended abruptly when he was fatally wounded at a masked ball, a moment immortalized in history and literature. His dramatic life and legacy continue to fascinate historians and art lovers alike.

Barthélemy Boganda was born in 1910 in Bobangui in what is now the Central African Republic and became a Catholic priest before entering politics. He founded the Movement for the Social Evolution of Black Africa (MESAN) to advocate for decolonization and social justice. In 1958, Boganda became the first Prime Minister of the autonomous Central African Republic under French trusteeship. He worked to unite diverse ethnic groups and laid the groundwork for his country’s independence. Tragically, his life was cut short in a plane crash in 1959, but his visionary leadership made him a revered national hero.

Born in 1898, Gaspard Fauteux trained and practiced as a dentist before entering politics in the 1930s. He was elected Member of Parliament and became Speaker of the House of Commons from 1945 to 1949. In 1950, he was appointed the 19th Lieutenant Governor of Quebec, representing the Crown in the province until 1958. A member of the Liberal Party, he was known for his dignified conduct and dedication to public service. He played a key role in post-war Canadian governance and parliamentary procedure.

Born in 1876, Stylianos Gonatas graduated from the Hellenic Army Academy and rose to the rank of colonel. He played a central role in the 1922 military revolt following the Asia Minor catastrophe, helping to depose the monarchy. As head of the revolutionary government, Gonatas served as Prime Minister from 1922 to 1924, overseeing the transition to the Second Hellenic Republic. He later continued his military service and held various administrative posts. Gonatas is remembered for his leadership during a turbulent period of Greek history and his efforts to stabilize the nation.

Dhirendranath Datta was born in 1886 in what is now Bangladesh and trained as a lawyer in Kolkata. He became a prominent member of the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan after partition in 1947. Datta is best known for his 1948 motion to include Bengali as an official language of Pakistan, highlighting the cultural identity of Bengali speakers. During the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, he was arrested and is believed to have been killed by Pakistani forces. Datta’s efforts are commemorated as a milestone in the language movement and national history of Bangladesh.

Eric Eustace Williams was born in 1911 in Port of Spain and educated at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar. A noted historian, he authored the seminal work 'Capitalism and Slavery', examining the economic impacts of the slave trade. After independence in 1962, Williams became the inaugural Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, serving until his death in 1981. He implemented policies focused on economic diversification and education reform. Williams is regarded as the founding father of modern Trinidadian politics and a key figure in Caribbean leadership.

Walter Hallstein was born in 1901 and became a professor of public international law at the University of Rostock. During World War II, he worked in the German Foreign Office and after the war helped shape West Germany’s legal framework. He was a leading advocate for European integration and served as the inaugural President of the European Commission from 1958 to 1967. Hallstein played a pivotal role in establishing the European Economic Community. His vision and leadership laid the groundwork for today’s European Union.