May 22

Born in 1392 in Manchester, Blanche was the daughter of King Henry IV and Mary de Bohun. She spent her early years at the English court during a period of dynastic tension and civil unrest. In 1402, she was married to Louis III, Elector Palatine, forging a political alliance with the Holy Roman Empire. Blanche bore several children who continued the ties between England and the Palatinate. Despite her royal birth, relatively few contemporary records survive of her personal life and influence at court. She died in 1409, leaving behind a legacy as a diplomatic bridge between England and Germany. Blanche's brief life reflects the dynastic strategies of medieval European monarchies.

Martha Washington, born Martha Dandridge in 1731, became the first First Lady of the United States when her husband, George Washington, assumed the presidency in 1789. She hosted social events and set enduring precedents for the role, emphasizing hospitality and civic virtue. Martha managed the Mount Vernon estate for many years, overseeing its operations and finances. Her steadfast support during the Revolutionary War and presidency symbolized the unity of the young nation. After retiring from public life, she remained a revered figure until her death in 1802. Her legacy endures in the traditions and responsibilities of modern First Ladies.

Active in the early 19th century, Mordecai Manuel Noah became one of America's pioneering Jewish newspaper editors. He founded and edited The National Advocate, using journalism to shape public discourse on politics and society. President Monroe appointed him as a diplomat to Argentina, where he served American interests abroad. Driven by a vision of religious freedom, he attempted to establish a Jewish refuge called Ararat on Grand Island, New York. Noah's writings and activism significantly influenced Jewish emancipation and the development of American journalism. He died in 1851, leaving a lasting legacy in both political and religious history of the United States.

Gaetano Bresci, born in 1869, embraced anarchist ideals after emigrating from Italy to the United States. Moved by reports of violent repression during the Milan bread riots, he returned to Italy to take decisive action. On July 29, 1900, Bresci shot King Umberto I in Monza, denouncing the monarchy's oppressive policies. He was imprisoned on the island fortress of Santo Stefano, where he died under mysterious circumstances in 1901. Bresci's assassination of a reigning monarch shocked Europe and sparked debates on political violence. His legacy remains controversial, viewed as both an extremist act and a protest against state injustice.

Born in 1893, she was among the first women to study law at German universities. After World War II, she was appointed to help rebuild Germany's legal system. In 1951, she became one of the inaugural judges of the Federal Constitutional Court. She shaped landmark decisions on constitutional law and civil rights. Her tenure advanced the rule of law during Germany's post-war recovery. She remains a pioneering figure in German legal history.