May 13

Emperor Ling of Han ascended the throne in 168 at age 13.\nDuring his reign, powerful eunuchs dominated court politics and fostered corruption.\nThe Yellow Turban Rebellion broke out in 184, marking a major peasant uprising.\nLing's attempts at reform were undermined by factional struggles.\nHis death in 189 led to the collapse of central authority and the eventual Three Kingdoms era.\nHistorians view his reign as a critical turning point in Han decline.

Ulric II of the House of Andechs governed Carniola until his death in 1112.\nHe oversaw frontier defenses along key Alpine passes.\nHis alliances through marriage strengthened ties with neighboring duchies.\nHe managed feudal obligations to the Holy Roman Emperor.\nHis rule helped shape the early medieval identity of Carniola.

Matthias I succeeded his father in 1138 and ruled until his death in 1176.\nHe fortified defenses along Lorraine's borders with Champagne and Alsace.\nHe navigated feudal loyalties between the Holy Roman Empire and the French crown.\nHe supported monastic foundations and mediated disputes among local lords.\nHis leadership laid the groundwork for Lorraine's medieval autonomy.\nMatthias's rule brought relative stability to his duchy.

Robert de Ros was summoned to Simon de Montfort's Parliament in 1264.\nHe inherited lands in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.\nHe participated in the Barons' Wars against King Henry III.\nAfter the rebellion, he was fined but later restored to royal favor.\nHe supported local churches and town charters on his estates.\nRobert's political maneuvering marked the complexities of feudal England.

Theobald II inherited the duchy in 1303 amid succession disputes.\nHe reinforced fortifications along Lorraine's eastern frontier.\nHe maintained alliances with neighboring principalities and the French crown.\nHe resolved internal conflicts among Lorraine's nobility through diplomacy.\nHis sudden death in 1312 led to the accession of Frederick IV.\nTheobald's reign was marked by a period of relative stability.

Born in 1521 as Takeda Harunobu, he later took the name Shingen.\nHe implemented legal reforms and boosted agricultural productivity in Kai Province.\nShingen led successful campaigns against rival clans, notably at Kawanakajima against Uesugi Kenshin.\nHis cavalry tactics and strategic governance earned him a formidable reputation.\nHe managed his domain with a merit-based administration and network of castles.\nShingen died in 1573, leaving a legacy as a master strategist of samurai warfare.

Born in 1547, Oldenbarnevelt served as Advocate of the States of Holland from 1586.\nHe negotiated the Twelve Years' Truce with Spain, securing a temporary peace.\nHe defended provincial rights against the centralizing ambitions of Prince Maurice.\nIn 1618, he was arrested after a political conflict and tried for treason.\nHe was executed in 1619, becoming a symbol of republican ideals.\nHis leadership shaped the early constitutional structure of the Netherlands.

Eliphalet Dyer was born in Connecticut in 1721 and studied law before entering public service. He served as a colonel in the French and Indian War, leading Connecticut militia troops. After the war, Dyer became a prominent lawyer and was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court of Connecticut. He represented Connecticut as a delegate to the Continental Congress during the American Revolution. Dyer played a key role in shaping early American legal and political institutions and influenced Connecticut politics until his death in 1807.

Born in 1864, Apolinario Mabini emerged as a leading intellectual and political figure during the Philippine Revolution. A member of the Malolos Congress, he was instrumental in drafting the first Philippine Constitution and served as the republic's first Prime Minister. Paralyzed by polio at a young age, he earned the moniker 'the Sublime Paralytic' for his remarkable mind and dedication to his country. Mabini championed constitutional government, civil liberties, and national unity amid the struggle against colonial powers. He continued his advocacy in exile before returning to die in poverty at age 38 in 1903. His writings and statesmanship have cemented his status as one of the founding fathers of the Filipino nation.

Zara DuPont (1869–1946) was a key figure in the American women's suffrage movement. She served in leadership roles within the National American Woman Suffrage Association, organizing state campaigns and rallies. DuPont delivered powerful speeches and authored articles advocating the 19th Amendment. She worked tirelessly to secure voting rights for women across the United States. After the passage of the amendment in 1920, she continued to champion social welfare and philanthropic causes. Her dedication and oratory inspired a generation of activists fighting for equality.

Jaime Torres Bodet (1902–1974) was a key figure in Mexico's cultural and political life. As a member of the literary group Los Contemporáneos, he produced influential poetry and essays. He served as Mexico's Secretary of Education, implementing reforms to expand access and quality. Torres Bodet held diplomatic posts in France and the United States, representing Mexican interests abroad. From 1948 to 1952, he was Director-General of UNESCO, promoting international cultural cooperation. His contributions left a lasting mark on education, literature, and global cultural dialogue.

Born in 1925 in Windsor, Ontario, John Swainson became the youngest governor in Michigan history at age 35. A decorated World War II veteran who lost a leg in combat, he built a career in public service as a Democrat. Elected governor in 1960, Swainson championed education reform and civil rights legislation. After his term, he practiced law and served on the Michigan Supreme Court, influencing state jurisprudence. Swainson’s life combined military sacrifice with a dedication to law and governance. He passed away in 1994, leaving a legacy of leadership and resilience in Michigan politics.