May 10

He was born into the royal family of the Pagan Kingdom in present-day Myanmar. Trained as heir apparent, he stood poised to lead one of Southeast Asia’s earliest empires. Historical records about his life are sparse, but he appears in royal chronicles as the favored successor. His untimely death in 1299 altered the kingdom’s succession plans and political landscape. Scholars regard him as a symbol of the Pagan dynasty’s final golden age before its decline.

Born around 1433 into the powerful Clan Campbell, he rose quickly in Scottish politics. As 1st Earl of Argyll, he managed vast estates and commanded feudal forces. King James III appointed him Lord Chancellor of Scotland, entrusting him with the kingdom’s legal affairs. He navigated clan rivalries and royal tensions during a turbulent era. His leadership helped shape late medieval Scotland’s governance and nobility.

Born in 1641 in Salem, Massachusetts Bay Colony, Hathorne was a respected merchant and magistrate. He served as a leading judge during the Salem witch trials of 1692, holding harsh cross-examinations. His vigorous prosecution contributed to the convictions and executions of accused individuals. After the trials, he continued in colonial politics, serving in the Massachusetts General Court. He is also recognized as an ancestor of the novelist Nathaniel Hawthorne.

Born in 1670 as an illegitimate son of King Charles II and actress Nell Gwyn, he was titled Duke of St Albans in 1684. He pursued a military career, serving as a colonel in the English army. Beauclerk held political office as Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire, representing royal interests locally. He managed his estates with a keen interest in public service and royal patronage. His legacy lives on through the Beauclerk family’s continued prominence in British aristocracy.

Born in 1710, Louis XV succeeded his great-grandfather, Louis XIV, at the age of five. His long reign saw the flourishing of French culture, science, and philosophy under royal patronage. He supported artists such as François Boucher and architect Ange-Jacques Gabriel. Military conflicts like the War of the Austrian Succession and the Seven Years' War strained the royal treasury. Extravagant court spending and ineffective taxation led to mounting public debt. Despite earning the affectionate nickname Louis the Beloved, his rule was marred by scandal and unrest. His death in 1774 left a kingdom on the brink of upheaval.

Born in 1782, William Armstrong studied law and established a successful practice in Pennsylvania. He served in various state government roles before being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Following his congressional term, he returned to public service as a civil administrator and legal advisor. In addition to his political career, he invested in industrial enterprises and banking projects. His multifaceted contributions spanned law, governance, and commerce during the early 19th century. Armstrong's legacy reflects the diverse opportunities of America's post-Revolution period.

Henry Bennett (1808–1868) was an American lawyer and politician from New York. He served four consecutive terms in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1849 to 1857, advocating free trade and support for internal improvements. Known for his legal expertise, he also remained active in state politics after leaving Congress. Bennett's contributions reflected the complex political landscape leading up to the American Civil War. He continued practicing law until his death in 1868.

Andrés Bonifacio (1863–1897) was a central figure in the Philippine Revolution, founding the secret society Katipunan in 1892. Known as the 'Supremo,' he organized and led the first uprisings against Spanish colonial rule in 1896. Bonifacio assumed the title of President of the revolutionary government before internal disputes arose. His dedication to national liberation and ultimate martyrdom made him a lasting symbol of Filipino independence. Today, he is celebrated as one of the Philippines' foremost national heroes.

Konrad Henlein (1898–1945) was the founder and leader of the Sudeten German Party in interwar Czechoslovakia. Advocating for the rights of the German minority, he later aligned his demands with Nazi Germany's expansionist aims. Henlein's activism contributed to the Munich Agreement of 1938 and the subsequent annexation of the Sudetenland. During the German occupation, he held administrative posts under the Nazi regime. He was arrested by Allied forces in 1945 and died shortly thereafter in custody.

Hubertus van Mook was a prominent statesman in the Dutch colonial administration. Born in 1894, he played a pivotal role in governing the Dutch East Indies during a time of rising nationalist movements. He implemented administrative reforms and sought to prepare the colony for eventual self-rule. Van Mook negotiated with Indonesian leaders and foreign powers amid the turmoil of World War II and its aftermath. His tenure was marked by attempts to balance Dutch interests with growing demands for independence, influencing the course of decolonization in Southeast Asia.

Sudhakarrao Naik was born in 1934 and became a prominent leader in Maharashtra politics. He served as Chief Minister of Maharashtra from 1991 to 1993, focusing on rural development and irrigation. In 2000, he was appointed Governor of Himachal Pradesh, representing the central government. Naik was known for his hands-on leadership style and efforts to improve agricultural productivity. He played a key role in shaping state policies on water management and social welfare. Naik passed away in 2001, leaving a legacy as a committed public servant.

Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba was a leading figure in Spain's Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) and held multiple ministerial posts. Trained as a chemist, he earned a doctorate in organic chemistry before entering politics in the 1970s. He served as Spain's Minister of Education, Minister of the Interior, and Deputy Prime Minister, overseeing counter-terrorism efforts against ETA. Rubalcaba was the PSOE's candidate for Prime Minister in the 2011 elections and later became party secretary-general. Known for his intellect and debating skills, he negotiated key reforms during Spain's financial crisis in the late 2000s. His death in 2019 marked the end of a storied career in both scientific research and public service.