May 11

Niwa Nagashige was born into the Niwa clan and succeeded his father as daimyō at a young age. He served under Toyotomi Hideyoshi and later pledged fealty to Tokugawa Ieyasu after the Battle of Sekigahara. Under the Tokugawa shogunate, he governed multiple domains, enhancing infrastructure and castle fortifications. He played a role in stabilizing the region during the transition from the Sengoku to the Edo period. His leadership ensured the survival and prosperity of the Niwa clan in early 17th-century Japan. He died in 1637, leaving a legacy as a capable and adaptable feudal lord.

José Mariano Salas was a Mexican general and statesman active in the early republic. He began his military career fighting for independence against Spanish rule. He played key roles in regional conflicts and rose through the ranks under Antonio López de Santa Anna. In 1846, he briefly served as provisional president, restoring centralist government during the Mexican–American War. His administration reordered the political landscape amid national turmoil. After leaving office, he continued to influence military and political affairs until his death in 1867. His legacy reflects the complexities of post-independence Mexico.

Jean-Jacques Challet-Venel was a Swiss politician and member of the Swiss Federal Council. He represented the Free Democratic Party and was instrumental in federal governance. He served as President of the Confederation in 1867. During his tenure, he oversaw the expansion of the national railway network. Challet-Venel advocated for financial and administrative reforms in Switzerland. After resigning in 1872, he remained an influential figure in Swiss politics until his death in 1893.

Charles W. Fairbanks was an American lawyer and politician who served as the 26th Vice President under Theodore Roosevelt. A native of Ohio, he built his career in Indiana as a lawyer, U.S. Senator, and Republican leader. Fairbanks was a staunch conservative voice within the Roosevelt administration from 1905 to 1909. He played a role in shaping early 20th-century domestic and foreign policies. After his vice presidency, he returned to law and remained active in national politics. Fairbanks died in 1918, remembered for his steadfast conservatism and political acumen.

Camilo José Cela was a Spanish writer celebrated for his vivid narratives and groundbreaking prose style. His debut novel 'The Family of Pascual Duarte' (1942) is a cornerstone of post–Civil War Spanish literature. In 1989, he received the Nobel Prize in Literature for his rich and intensive prose, deep insight, and artistic generosity. Beyond his literary career, Cela served in the Spanish Senate, influencing cultural policy. He authored countless essays, travel books, and stories, leaving an enduring mark on 20th-century letters.

Edward J. King was an American politician and former executive at Bay State Gas who became Governor of Massachusetts in 1979. He secured a surprise victory running as a conservative Democrat and later switched to the Republican Party. During his tenure, King implemented fiscal reforms and cut state spending to address budget deficits. His administration also emphasized urban development and law enforcement initiatives. After leaving office, he remained active in business and public service until his death in 2006.

Jim Jeffords began his political career in the Vermont state legislature before representing his state in the U.S. House of Representatives and later the Senate from 1989 to 2007. In 2001, he famously left the Republican Party to become an independent, shifting the balance of power in the Senate. Jeffords was a strong advocate for education funding, environmental protection, and healthcare reform. He chaired key committees, including the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. His pragmatic leadership style earned him respect across party lines until his death in 2014.

Born in Rossland, British Columbia, Greene rose to fame with two medals at the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, including gold in giant slalom. She captured the World Cup overall title in 1967–68 and dominated women's alpine skiing before retiring in 1968. After her competitive career, Greene became a sports commentator and advocate for youth skiing programs in Canada. In 2009, she was appointed to the Senate of Canada, where she championed health, fitness, and indigenous sports initiatives. She was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame and remains a celebrated figure in winter sports and Canadian public life.

Born in Colombo, Deva moved to the UK for education and entered politics with the Conservative Party. He was elected to the European Parliament for South East England in 1999 and served until 2014. During his tenure, he sat on committees for development and budgets, advocating for disaster relief and economic reform. In 2010, he was appointed to the House of Lords as Baron Deva of Waltham Forest. He remains active in international development issues and UK politics.

Raised on a family farm in Lamont County, Stelmach entered provincial politics in 2001 as a Progressive Conservative MLA. He succeeded Ralph Klein to become Premier in December 2006, focusing on fiscal responsibility and expanding provincial savings. Under his leadership, Alberta introduced the Heritage Savings Trust Fund for non-renewable resource revenue. Stelmach promoted rural development and launched infrastructure projects across the province. He retired from politics in 2011, leaving a legacy of balanced budgets and strengthened fiscal policies.

Born in 1957, Mike Nesbitt began his career in journalism as a broadcaster with BBC Northern Ireland. He transitioned into politics, serving as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Strangford from 2011 to 2017. In 2012, he was elected leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, advocating for centrist policies and community reconciliation. Under his leadership, the party gained renewed support in Northern Ireland’s evolving political landscape. Beyond politics, Nesbitt is recognized for his media presence and contributions to public discourse in the region.

Born in 1970 in Memphis, Tennessee, Harold Ford Jr. earned his law degree from Harvard University in 1996. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives at age 26, serving Tennessee's 9th district from 1997 to 2007. Ford became vice chairman of the Senate Democratic Campaign Committee and was considered a rising star in the party. After leaving Congress, he transitioned to finance and media, serving as a managing director and political commentator. Ford remains influential through his writing, speaking engagements, and advocacy on civic engagement.