April 28

Born in AD 32 into a patrician family of Rome. After serving as governor of Lusitania under Emperor Nero, he rose in the ranks of the Praetorian Guard. Declared emperor in January AD 69 during the chaotic Year of the Four Emperors, his reign lasted only three months. He engaged Vitellius’s forces but chose to end his life to prevent further civil war. Though his rule was brief, Otho is remembered for his leadership and attempts to stabilize the empire in a time of crisis.

Born in 1402 in Texcoco, Nezahualcoyotl inherited the throne in 1431 and presided over a golden age of legal reform and cultural achievement. He codified laws, commissioned aqueducts and temples, and forged alliances that strengthened the Triple Alliance of Tenochtitlan, Texcoco, and Tlacopan. An accomplished poet, he wrote profound verses in Nahuatl reflecting on the nature of life and the divine. His court became a center of learning and artistic expression in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. Nezahualcoyotl’s intellectual and architectural legacy endures as one of the most enlightened rulers of his era.

Born on April 28, 1442, at Rouen in France, Edward was the eldest son of Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York. He led Yorkist forces to victory at the Battle of Towton and was proclaimed king in 1461. His rule consolidated Yorkist power, though he was briefly deposed in 1470 by the Earl of Warwick and Henry VI. Edward regained the throne in 1471, defeating his rivals at Barnet and Tewkesbury. He implemented administrative reforms, patronized the arts, and maintained stability until his sudden death in 1483, leaving the kingdom to his young son.

Born on April 28, 1573, Charles de Valois was the third son of King Charles IX of France and Marie de' Medici. He held the title Duke of Angoulême but spent much of his life overshadowed by his elder siblings and the turmoil of the Wars of Religion. After Henry III’s death, Charles lived at various European courts and cultivated connections without gaining significant political power. He returned to France under King Louis XIII but remained on the periphery of courtly affairs. He died in 1650 without heirs, remembered for his cultured presence rather than political influence.

Born in 1623 in Hasselt, Overijssel, Wilhelmus Beekman arrived in New Amsterdam in 1647 seeking opportunity in the Dutch colony. He served as Treasurer and held offices equivalent to deputy mayor, overseeing finances and land transactions. After the English takeover, he acted as mayor of New York City and was appointed Governor of the Vice-Admiralty Court. Beekman later governed the colonies of Delaware and Pennsylvania, promoting trade and settlement. He returned to Europe and died in 1707, remembered as a key figure in the transition from Dutch to English rule.

Born on April 28, 1676, Frederick I was the second son of Christian Albert, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp. He married Princess Ulrika Eleonora of Sweden and was elected king following her abdication in 1720. His reign ushered in the Age of Liberty, a period of parliamentary rule and curtailed royal authority. Frederick maintained Swedish neutrality in European conflicts and patronized the arts and sciences. He died in 1751, succeeded by Adolf Frederick, and is remembered for his ceremonial role during a pivotal constitutional era.

Born in Virginia in 1758, James Monroe fought in the American Revolutionary War before embarking on a long political career. He served as governor of Virginia, U.S. senator, and as Secretary of State and Secretary of War under President Madison. Elected President in 1816, Monroe oversaw the 'Era of Good Feelings,' reduced the national debt, and promoted westward expansion. He articulated the Monroe Doctrine in 1823, warning European powers against further colonization in the Americas. After leaving office, he retired to his estate in Virginia and remained a respected elder statesman until his death in 1831.

Born in Cornwall in 1863, Josiah Thomas emigrated to Australia and worked as a coal miner before entering public service. He was elected to the New South Wales parliament and later to the Australian House of Representatives representing Barrier. Thomas served as Postmaster-General and then as the seventh Minister for External Affairs in the Deakin government. A staunch advocate for labor rights, he fought for improved conditions for miners and the working class. After retiring from politics, he continued to write and speak on social issues until his death in 1933.

António de Oliveira Salazar, originally an economics professor, became Portugal’s 100th Prime Minister in 1932 and dominated its politics for over three decades. He engineered the Estado Novo ('New State'), a conservative, corporatist regime characterized by strict censorship, political repression, and colonial ambitions. Under Salazar, Portugal remained neutral during World War II while maintaining a rigid domestic order. His fiscal policies stabilized the national economy but at the cost of social freedoms. Salazar’s tenure ended after a stroke in 1968, leaving a complex legacy of stability, stagnation, and human rights abuses.

Marshal Ye Jianying played a pivotal role in the Chinese Communist Revolution, commanding forces in key campaigns against warlords and Nationalist armies. After 1949, he held senior military and political posts, including Minister of National Defense. In the wake of the Cultural Revolution, Ye helped orchestrate the arrest of the Gang of Four and supported Deng Xiaoping’s reforms. As Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, he became the nominal Head of State, promoting stability during China’s opening to the world. Ye is remembered for his strategic leadership and behind-the-scenes influence on modern Chinese governance.

Barbara Lüdemann was born in Germany in 1922 and entered politics in the aftermath of World War II. She was elected to the Bundestag, where she focused on social welfare and education policies. Lüdemann advocated for the rights of women and families as Germany rebuilt its political and social institutions. Her commitment to public service helped shape legislation on child care and community development. Throughout her tenure, she worked across party lines to promote democratic values and stability in West Germany. After leaving office, she continued to engage in civic initiatives supporting youth and social programs. She passed away in 1992, remembered for her dedication to her constituents and her country.

Kenneth Kaunda was born in Lubwa and trained as a teacher before entering politics. He led the United National Independence Party (UNIP) in the struggle against British colonial rule. When Zambia gained independence in 1964, Kaunda became its first president, serving for 27 years. He championed African socialism and non-alignment, playing a key role in regional liberation movements. After stepping down in 1991 amid economic challenges, he remained an influential elder statesman and advocate for pan-African unity. He authored several books and continued to promote peace and education until his death in 2021.