May 22

Itzam K'an Ahk I ascended the throne in 652 and ruled until his death in 686. During his reign, he commissioned major building projects including temples and palaces that demonstrated Ucanal's architectural prowess. He strengthened alliances with neighboring city-states through strategic marriages and tribute networks. Inscriptions from his rule celebrate both his military achievements and religious ceremonies dedicated to the Maya pantheon. His legacy provides key insights into the political and cultural life of the Late Classic Period in the Maya region.

Born in 1539, Edward Seymour was the son of the Lord Protector of England, Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset. He held key diplomatic roles under Queen Elizabeth I, including ambassador to France and Spain. Seymour navigated complex international politics during the Anglo-French Wars and the threat of Spanish invasion. He also managed extensive estates and contributed to the architectural development of his properties. His correspondence offers valuable insights into Elizabethan statecraft and courtly life.

Louis Legendre (1752–1797) was a butcher by trade who became a prominent revolutionary politician during the French Revolution. He served as a member of the Paris Commune and was known for his fiery oratory in the National Convention. A staunch Montagnard, he supported radical republican measures and the execution of King Louis XVI. Despite his initial influence, he fell from favor during the Thermidorian Reaction and was briefly imprisoned. His life reflects the turbulent shifts of power in revolutionary France.

Henry Bathurst, 3rd Earl Bathurst (1762–1834) was a British politician and nobleman who held the office of Home Secretary from 1812 to 1827. During his tenure, he oversaw domestic policy in the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars, including the suppression of civil unrest and the passage of key criminal legislation. He also played a role in the early development of public education and prison reform. A member of the House of Lords, Bathurst was influential in shaping Tory policy during a critical period of British history. His moderate approach and administrative experience earned him respect across party lines.

Born Henry Pelham Fiennes Pelham-Clinton in 1811, he inherited the dukedom in 1851 and sat in the House of Lords. He served twice as Secretary of State for the Colonies, influencing British imperial policy during the mid-19th century. A prominent member of the Conservative Party, he oversaw colonial affairs during events such as the Crimean War and the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Educated at Eton College and Christ Church, Oxford, he was known for his diplomatic skills and leadership within the aristocracy. He also held the position of Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in the early 1860s. He died in 1864, leaving a legacy as a key figure in Victorian British politics.

Born in 1833 in El Burgo de Osma, Zorrilla rose to prominence as a liberal statesman under King Amadeo I. He served as Minister of Justice and later as Prime Minister of Spain from 1871 to 1872. A staunch advocate for civil liberties, he pushed for secular education and legal reforms. After the fall of the First Spanish Republic, he lived in exile in France but remained active in Republican politics. Zorrilla led resistance efforts against the Bourbon monarchy and influenced later Spanish liberal movements. He died in 1895, remembered as a fervent champion of democracy in 19th-century Spain.

Augusto Pestana (1868–1934) was a Brazilian engineer and politician instrumental in the development of Rio Grande do Sul. As a skilled railway engineer, he oversaw the expansion and modernization of the state's transportation network. Pestana served multiple terms as governor, implementing administrative reforms and promoting technical education. Committed to public service, he championed infrastructure projects that boosted economic growth and connectivity. His pragmatic leadership set standards for efficient governance in early 20th-century Brazil.

Daniel François Malan (1874–1959) was a South African clergyman turned politician who became the country’s fifth Prime Minister. As leader of the National Party, he implemented apartheid, codifying racial segregation into law. Malan's government enforced strict policies on residency, education, and employment, reshaping South African society. He held office from 1948 to 1954, laying the foundation for decades of institutionalized discrimination. His controversial legacy continues to influence discussions on human rights and reconciliation in South Africa.

As Head of the Directorate of Ukraine, he sought to establish a unified Ukrainian state following the collapse of the Russian Empire. Petliura organized military defenses against Bolshevik and White forces, striving for sovereignty amid turmoil. He also supported cultural revival, promoting the Ukrainian language and press. After his government's fall, he lived in exile, continuing to advocate for Ukrainian independence. In 1926, he was assassinated in Paris, and his controversial legacy remains central to Ukraine's national history.

As a member of the Italian Parliament, Matteotti spoke out against Mussolini's regime and electoral fraud. In 1924, he delivered a famous speech condemning Fascist violence, exposing the regime's intimidation tactics. Shortly after, he was kidnapped and murdered, an event that shocked Italy and Europe. Matteotti's death became a symbol of resistance, inspiring opposition to authoritarianism. His unwavering commitment to democracy and social justice cemented his legacy as a martyr of Italian politics.

He was an early member of the Communist Party of Germany and contributed to leftist literary journals. Becher wrote novels and poems that addressed social inequality and revolutionary themes. After World War II, he helped establish the German Democratic Republic's cultural infrastructure. As Minister of Culture, he promoted socialist realism and supported arts education. He is best remembered for penning the lyrics to 'Auferstanden aus Ruinen', which became the GDR's national anthem.

Born in 1901 in Boston, Maurice J. Tobin entered politics through the Democratic Party in Massachusetts. He served as Mayor of Boston before becoming Governor of Massachusetts from 1945 to 1947. In 1948, President Harry S. Truman appointed him as the U.S. Secretary of Labor, a position he held until 1953. Tobin focused on post-war labor policies, advocating for workers' rights and economic recovery. His tenure was marked by efforts to balance labor demands with industrial growth. He died in 1953, leaving behind a legacy in both state and federal government.