April 10

Theodosius II ascended to the throne at the age of seven following his father's death. During his long reign, he oversaw the compilation of the Theodosian Code, which codified Roman law. He maintained a relatively stable Eastern Roman Empire through diplomatic relations with the Goths and Persians. Under his sister Pulcheria's influence, he supported the Council of Ephesus and shaped Christian doctrine. His reign saw the construction of the Theodosian Walls, which protected Constantinople for centuries. He died in 450 after over four decades of rule, leaving a lasting legal and architectural legacy.

Abu Ali Hasan, known as Nizam al-Mulk, served as grand vizier under sultans Alp Arslan and Malik Shah I. He founded the Nizamiyya schools, setting a model for higher education in the Islamic world. His treatise Siyasatnama provided guidance on governance, administration, and justice. He reorganized the administrative structure of the Seljuk state, strengthening its bureaucracy. His tenure contributed to a golden age of Seljuk culture and political stability. He was assassinated in 1092, but his educational and political reforms endured for centuries.

Margaret of York was born to King Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville in April 1472. As their first child, she held the title of Princess of England but died just a few days after her birth. Her brief life occurred during the turbulent Wars of the Roses. Though she never had the chance to influence politics or culture, her birth and death were mourned by the royal family. Her early passing underscored the high infant mortality rates even among royalty in the 15th century.

Philibert II ascended as Duke of Savoy at age 17 following his father's death. He strengthened his duchy's position by marrying Margaret of Austria, niece of Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I. His diplomatic marriage fostered closer ties with the Habsburg dynasty. During his rule, he focused on internal administration and the defense of his Alpine territories. He died prematurely in 1504, leaving Savoy aligned with one of Europe's most powerful houses.

William I of Nassau-Siegen, also known as William the Rich, ruled his county from 1516. He managed his estates with skill, expanding his influence within the Holy Roman Empire. He married Juliana of Stolberg, and their offspring included William the Silent, leader of the Dutch Revolt. Under his guidance, the Nassau line laid the foundations for the future principality of Orange. His legacy endured through his descendants, who played pivotal roles in European and Dutch politics.

James V became king at age one after his father's death at Flodden and was crowned in 1528. He secured strong ties with France through two successive marriages to French princesses. A patron of the Scottish Renaissance, he supported poets, musicians, and architects. He faced ongoing conflicts with England, balancing alliances amid the European power struggle. His reign ended abruptly in 1542 when he died at Falkland Palace, leaving his infant daughter Mary as queen.

Augustus II, known as Augustus the Younger, became Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg in 1635. He navigated his duchy through the turmoil of the Thirty Years' War, maintaining relative stability. He transformed Wolfenbüttel into a cultural hub by expanding the ducal library, later known as the Herzog August Library. A learned ruler, he promoted scholarship and employed prominent intellectuals at his court. His policies strengthened the administration and economy of his territories. He died in 1666, remembered as a patron of the arts and protector of his duchy.

Born to King Christian IV, Christian of Denmark was elected Prince of the Holy Roman Empire in 1616. He held the title 'Prince-Elect of Denmark' but never ascended to the throne. He administered the bishoprics of Verden and Osnabrück before resigning in 1627. He participated in diplomatic missions and was a potential candidate for the Polish-Lithuanian throne. His life was marked by scholarly interests and a dispute with his brother over power. He died in 1647, remembered as an ambitious royal who never ruled as king.

Lew Wallace began his career serving in the Mexican–American War and rose to the rank of major general during the American Civil War. After the conflict, he served as governor of the New Mexico Territory, where he negotiated peace treaties with Native American tribes. Wallace is best remembered as the author of Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ, one of the best-selling American novels of the 19th century. He also served as U.S. minister to the Ottoman Empire and pursued various political and legal endeavors upon his return. His diverse legacy spans military service, governance, and literature.

Joseph Pulitzer emigrated to the United States in the 1860s and rose to prominence as the publisher of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and the New York World. He became known for sensational headlines, investigative journalism, and crusades against corruption. Pulitzer's innovations in newspaper publishing dramatically increased readership and influenced modern journalism. He served briefly in public office before dedicating himself to media and civic engagement. Upon his death, his bequest endowed the Pulitzer Prizes, which have become the most prestigious awards for achievements in journalism and the arts.

Kyösti Kallio was a farmer, banker, and lifelong politician who championed the rights of smallholders and rural communities. He served four terms as Prime Minister and twice as Speaker of the Parliament before being elected President of Finland in 1937. During his presidency, he navigated the nation through the pressures of the Winter War against the Soviet Union. Kallio’s leadership style was marked by humility and devotion to democratic principles. He remained closely connected to his farming roots and continued to promote agrarian policies until his death in 1940.

Born in 1880, Frances Perkins was a pioneering American sociologist and labor reformer. She taught at Cornell University before entering public service to advance workers' rights. In 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed her as Secretary of Labor, making her the first woman in the U.S. Cabinet. During her tenure, she helped design landmark New Deal programs, including Social Security and unemployment insurance. Perkins advocated for safe working conditions and fair wages throughout the Great Depression and World War II. She retired in 1945 and continued writing and speaking on social issues until her death in 1965.