May 17

Empress Dowager Hu (died 17 May 528) was the mother of Emperor Xiaoming and served as regent of the Northern Wei dynasty. She skillfully managed court politics during her son’s minority, balancing the influence of powerful nobles and generals. Her tenure saw both consolidation of imperial authority and accusations of corruption amidst court intrigues. In 528, her alliance with the eunuch Zheng Yan led to widespread unrest, prompting General Erzhu Rong's intervention. She was ultimately deposed and executed on 17 May 528, marking a dramatic end to her regency.

Yuan Yong (died 17 May 528) was an imperial prince of the Northern Wei dynasty. As a member of the ruling Tuoba clan, he held ceremonial titles and participated in court rituals. His lifetime coincided with the lavish displays and political factionalism of the Northern Wei court. He witnessed the struggles between regents and powerful generals that characterized the era. Yuan Yong died amidst the upheaval of 528, a period that saw the fall of Empress Dowager Hu.

Yuan Zhao (526–528) was enthroned as emperor of Northern Wei at just two years old. Installed by his mother, Empress Dowager Hu, his reign was dominated by court regents and eunuchs. His brief rule lasted only a few weeks during a time of intense political turmoil. Rival general Erzhu Rong opposed his accession and seized control of the capital. Yuan Zhao was deposed and killed on 17 May 528, ending the child emperor's tragic reign.

Liu Jianfeng (died 17 May 896) was a Tang dynasty general turned warlord in late 9th-century China. Originally serving under the rebel Qin Zongquan, he later broke away to carve out his own power base. He captured Wu'an Circuit (modern Hunan) and established virtually independent rule there. His leadership brought administrative reforms and bolstered local defenses against rival factions. In 896, Liu Jianfeng was assassinated by his subordinate, ending his brief but impactful rule in southern China.

Li Maozhen (856–924) was a military governor and warlord during the collapse of the Tang dynasty. As jiedushi of Fengxiang Circuit, he wielded considerable autonomy in modern Shaanxi. Following the Tang fall, he adopted the title King of Qi and maintained his realm through alliances and warfare. He nurtured cultural activities at his court and oversaw economic recovery in his territories. In 924, after decades of contentious rule, Li Maozhen died, and his dominion was absorbed by successors.

Al-Qa'im bi-Amr Allah (893–946) was the second Fatimid caliph, ruling from 934 until his death. Born to the dynasty's founder, he inherited a realm spanning Ifriqiya (modern Tunisia and eastern Algeria). He consolidated Fatimid authority, suppressing rebellions and expanding influence into Sicily and the Mediterranean. His reign saw the establishment of new administrative structures and the promotion of Isma'ili Shi'a Islam. Al-Qa'im died on 17 May 946, leaving a strengthened state that would become a major medieval power.

Daumantas of Pskov (died 17 May 1299), also known as Dovmont, was a Lithuanian prince in exile. After a dynastic feud in Lithuania, he sought refuge in the Republic of Pskov and converted to Orthodoxy. Elected prince of Pskov, he defended the city against both Teutonic Knights and Novgorod. His leadership brought stability, and he founded the Dovmontova district in the city. Daumantas was canonized as a saint in the Orthodox Church, revered for his piety and firm rule.

Emperor Go-Fushimi (1288–1336) was the 93rd emperor of Japan, ruling from 1298 to 1301. His reign occurred under the influence of the Kamakura shogunate, limiting imperial authority. After abdicating, he took Buddhist vows and continued to influence court politics. He patronized poetry and religious institutions, reflecting the cultural currents of his era. Go-Fushimi died on 17 May 1336, remembered for his literary interests and monastic devotion.

Louis II (1328–1365) was Elector of Brandenburg from 1323 to 1365 and a member of the House of Wittelsbach. His tenure saw efforts to stabilize the electorate amid regional conflicts in the Holy Roman Empire. He supported imperial policies and engaged in treaties to secure territorial claims. Known as Louis the Roman, he patronized church constructions and boosted trade in Brandenburg. He died on 17 May 1365, leaving a legacy of diplomatic and economic initiatives.

Konstantin Dejanović, also known as Constantine Dragaš (c. 1355–1395), was a Serbian magnate of the Dejanović family. He governed territories in eastern Macedonia and Thrace under the suzerainty of the Ottoman Empire. He allied with Byzantine and Serbian princes to resist Ottoman advances but ultimately faced Ottoman pressure. In 1395, he was killed at the Battle of Rovine fighting Wallachian forces allied with the Ottomans. His daughter, Helena Dragaš, later became Byzantine empress, linking his lineage to Byzantine royalty.

Born into one of England's oldest baronial families in 1427, Thomas de Ros inherited the title of 9th Baron de Ros as a child. He took his seat in the House of Lords and participated in the political life of the realm during the turbulent Wars of the Roses. Known for his regional influence in northern England, he served as a local administrator and advisor. Throughout his tenure, he navigated shifting allegiances and maintained his family's stature. He died in 1464 at the age of 37, leaving his title to his heir.

Born in Florence around 1445, Botticelli was trained under the painter Fra Filippo Lippi and became a leading artist of his time. He produced frescoes for the Sistine Chapel and created iconic works like The Birth of Venus and Primavera. His graceful figures and use of line influenced the aesthetic of the Florentine Renaissance. Despite declining patronage late in life, his work gained renewed admiration centuries later. He died in Florence in 1510, leaving a legacy as one of the era's most poetic painters.