May 14

Born in Prague in 1316 as the eldest son of John of Bohemia. He was elected King of Bohemia in 1346 and became Holy Roman Emperor in 1355. He issued the Golden Bull of 1356, which established the constitutional framework of the Holy Roman Empire. In 1348 he founded Charles University in Prague, the first university in Central Europe. Under his rule, imperial authority was consolidated and Prague emerged as a cultural center. He died in 1378, leaving a legacy as one of the most influential medieval European rulers.

Born in 1553 to King Henry II of France and Catherine de' Medici, Margaret of Valois was a French princess of the Valois dynasty. In 1572 she married Henry of Navarre in an attempt to reconcile Catholics and Huguenots. The marriage triggered the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre, one of the bloodiest episodes of the French Wars of Religion. Her union with Henry IV was annulled in 1599, but she retained her royal title and influence at court. Margaret is celebrated for her candid and witty memoirs, which provide valuable insight into 16th-century French politics and culture. She died in 1615, leaving behind a reputation as a cultured and politically astute figure.

Francesco Rasi was born in Arezzo in 1574 and became one of the leading performers of early Baroque music. He served in the courts of Tuscany and Mantua, collaborating with Claudio Monteverdi on pioneering operatic productions. Renowned for his virtuosity on the theorbo, Rasi also composed madrigals and sacred works. In addition to his musical talents, he wrote poetry that was published in several collections. His innovative performances helped shape the development of early opera. Rasi died in 1621, leaving behind a multifaceted legacy as a musician and poet.

Alice Barnham was born in 1592 as the daughter of Benedict Barnham, a wealthy London alderman. At the age of fourteen, she married Francis Bacon, later Lord Verulam and Lord Chancellor of England. As Bacon's wife, she was present at the Jacobean court during his rise to political prominence. Their marriage produced four children but ended amid controversy when Bacon faced impeachment over alleged corruption. After Bacon's death in 1626, Alice remarried Sir John Underhill and continued to manage her family affairs. She died in 1650, and her correspondence offers a rare glimpse into the personal life of one of England's most famous philosophers.

Katakura Kagenaga was born in 1630 as a member of the esteemed Katakura family, hereditary retainers of the Date clan in Sendai. Known by the title Kojūrō, he served as a senior karō and played a key role in domain administration during a time of relative peace. Kagenaga was respected for his skill in military training and governance. He implemented policies that strengthened the domain's fiscal stability and social order. In 1681 he retired and passed his title to his heir. He died later that year, leaving a reputation as a capable and honorable samurai administrator.

Johann Philipp Förtsch was born in 1652 in Frankfurt and studied medicine at the University of Jena. While practicing as a physician, he pursued his passion for music and became a noted composer of cantatas, Singspiele, and sacred works. His compositions were performed at imperial courts and contributed to the flourishing German Baroque tradition. Förtsch collaborated with leading librettists of his time and helped develop early German opera. Later in life, he served as a tax collector in Hamburg but continued to compose music. He died in 1732, leaving behind a respected but modest body of Baroque compositions.

Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was born in 1657 and succeeded his father Shivaji as the second ruler of the Maratha Empire in 1681. He led aggressive campaigns against the Mughal forces of Emperor Aurangzeb and defended Maratha territory with tenacity. Sambhaji's reign was marked by rapid military engagements and efforts to consolidate Maratha power in western India. In 1689, he was captured by the Mughals and executed, becoming a martyr and symbol of resistance. His brief but impactful rule inspired future generations of Maratha leaders. Sambhaji's legacy endures in regional folklore, monuments, and the continued prominence of the Maratha Confederacy.

Born in 1666, Victor Amadeus II inherited the Duchy of Savoy and skillfully navigated the War of the Spanish Succession. He allied with the Habsburgs, securing the Kingdom of Sicily in 1713 and later exchanging it for Sardinia in 1720. As King of Sardinia, he introduced administrative and financial reforms that strengthened his territories. He modernized the army and promoted trade and infrastructure projects, laying the foundation for his state's growth. Victor Amadeus abdicated in 1730 in favor of his son but remained influential in European politics. He died in 1732, remembered as a shrewd diplomat and builder of the Savoyard state.

Peder Horrebow was born in 1679 in Denmark and studied astronomy under the guidance of Ole Rømer at the University of Copenhagen. He succeeded Rømer as royal astronomer and continued important work on determining the solar parallax using observations of Jupiter's satellites. Horrebow published his findings in a landmark treatise that improved the precision of astronomical measurements. He also contributed to mathematical methods in spherical trigonometry and instrument design. His work laid groundwork for future astronomers to refine planetary distance measurements. Horrebow remained active in scientific circles until his death in 1764.

Hans Joachim von Zieten was born in 1699 and joined the Prussian cavalry at a young age, rising to fame under King Frederick the Great. He led the Zieten Hussars, executing daring reconnaissance missions and raids during the War of the Austrian Succession. Zieten's tactical skill contributed to Prussian victories at battles such as Kolin and Leuthen during the Seven Years' War. He was promoted to General of Cavalry and honored with the Order of the Black Eagle for his service. Known for his aggressive cavalry tactics and loyalty, Zieten became one of Frederick's most trusted commanders. He retired in 1786 and died shortly thereafter, leaving a lasting impact on cavalry doctrine.

William Emerson (1701–1782) was an influential English mathematician and academic. He studied at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he later became a professor of mathematics. Emerson made notable advances in calculus and analytical methods during the Enlightenment. His textbooks, such as 'Elements of Mathematics', were widely used to teach students across Europe. He was known for his clear exposition and dedication to mathematical education.

Adolf Frederick (1710–1771) served as King of Sweden during the Age of Liberty. His reign was characterized by the rise of parliamentary governance and limited royal power. He was popular among his subjects for his gracious and indulgent lifestyle. Adolf Frederick's monarchy experienced cultural growth alongside political tensions among the estates. Though his authority was constrained, his tenure symbolized the evolving role of European monarchs.