June 10

Born in 867, Emperor Uda ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne in 887 at the age of 20. He championed literary and religious scholarship, inviting poets, scholars, and Buddhist monks to court. Uda enacted reforms to curb the power of dominant aristocratic families and strengthen imperial authority. In an unusual move for the era, he abdicated voluntarily in 897 to pursue a life of study and devotion. During retirement in Heian-kyō, he remained an influential figure, guiding court politics and cultural life. He died in 931, leaving a legacy of learned governance and spiritual dedication.

Born in 1465 in Gattinara, Italy, he studied law at the University of Pavia and Padua. As Grand Chancellor from 1518, Gattinara shaped the foreign policy of Charles V, promoting Christian unity against Ottoman expansion. He championed imperial authority and legal reform, drafting key edicts to strengthen governance. A humanist scholar, he corresponded with leading thinkers and supported artistic patronage at the imperial court. His diplomatic missions to Pope Leo X and other European rulers were crucial in forging alliances. He died in 1530, remembered as a model of principled statesmanship and legal expertise.

Born in 1513, Louis was a prince of the House of Bourbon and held the title Duke of Montpensier. He commanded troops during the Italian Wars and later in internal conflicts of France. During the French Wars of Religion, he navigated shifting alliances between royal and Huguenot factions. A patron of the arts, he maintained a court renowned for its poets and musicians. His correspondence reveals political acumen in balancing loyalty to the crown with regional interests. He died in 1582, leaving a legacy as a skilled commander and influential nobleman of 16th-century France.

Born in 1688, he was the son of King James II of England and VII of Scotland and Mary of Modena. After his father’s deposition in the Glorious Revolution, he led the Jacobite cause from exile in France. In 1701, he was proclaimed James III of England and VIII of Scotland by his supporters. He attempted invasions and uprisings, including the 1715 Rising, to restore the Stuart monarchy. Living mostly in Rome under papal protection, he maintained a court-in-exile and asserted dynastic rights. He died in 1766, leaving a contested legacy and a divided Jacobite movement led by his descendants.

William Eustis was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and studied medicine at Harvard College. He served as a surgeon in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. After practicing medicine, he entered politics and represented Massachusetts in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1801 to 1805. President James Madison appointed him Secretary of War, where he oversaw military operations during the War of 1812. In 1823, he was elected the 12th Governor of Massachusetts and served until his death in 1825. He is remembered for his leadership during turbulent times and his lifelong dedication to public service.

Stephen Mosher Wood was born in 1832 and commissioned as a lieutenant in the Union Army during the American Civil War. After the conflict, he transitioned to civilian life and became active in local governance. Wood held various public offices, where he advocated for veterans’ benefits and community development. He was respected for his leadership skills and commitment to civic service. Throughout his career, he remained engaged in veteran organizations and public affairs. Wood’s dedication to both military duty and political life spanned nearly seven decades until his death in 1920.

Rebecca Latimer Felton was born in 1835 in Georgia and began her career as a teacher and journalist. She became a leading voice for women’s rights, education reform, and prison reform through her lectures and newspaper columns. In 1922, at the age of 87, she was appointed to the U.S. Senate, making her the first woman to serve in Congress, even though her term lasted only 24 hours. Felton’s outspokenness and tireless advocacy challenged societal norms and opened doors for future generations of women in politics. She authored biographies and works on Southern history, and was honored by educational institutions during her lifetime. Felton’s pioneering role remains a milestone in American political history.

Ludvig Holstein-Ledreborg was born in 1839 into the Holstein-Ledreborg noble family and studied law at the University of Copenhagen. He held various legal and administrative positions before entering national politics. In 1909, he was appointed the 19th Prime Minister of Denmark, leading a coalition government focused on social and fiscal reforms. His tenure addressed pressing issues such as defense spending and the balance of parliamentary power. After leaving office in 1910, he served as a landowner and patron of cultural institutions. Holstein-Ledreborg is remembered for his moderate leadership and efforts to modernize Denmark’s governance.

Jean Lesage was born in 1912 in Algiers, Quebec, and trained as a lawyer at Laval University. Elected to the Legislative Assembly in 1956, he became Premier of Quebec in 1960, initiating the Quiet Revolution—a period of rapid secularization and modernization. Lesage nationalized hydroelectric power, reformed the education system, and expanded social services, laying the foundation for Quebec's contemporary identity. His government promoted economic development and greater autonomy within Canada. Lesage's reforms profoundly reshaped Quebec society and politics, earning him a revered place in Canadian history.

Haidar Abdel-Shafi was born in Gaza in 1919 and trained as a physician in Jerusalem and Beirut. He founded one of the first Palestinian Red Crescent medical clinics, providing essential care amid regional conflicts. Abdel-Shafi balanced his medical career with political activism, becoming a key negotiator for the Palestinian delegation at the 1991 Madrid Conference. He served as mayor of Gaza and advocated for public health reforms and peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Known for his integrity and dedication to his people, he earned broad respect across communities. Abdel-Shafi continued serving as a civic leader until his death in 2007.

Prince Philip was born on June 10, 1921, on the Greek island of Corfu. He served with distinction in the Royal Navy during World War II before marrying Princess Elizabeth in 1947. As Duke of Edinburgh, he accompanied the Queen on official duties and championed a wide range of charitable organizations. In 1956, he established the Duke of Edinburgh's Award to encourage youth development through challenge and community service. Philip was known for his forthright manner and commitment to environmental and technological causes. He remained active in public life for over seven decades until his death in 2021.

Born Jan Hoch in 1923, Robert Maxwell served as a captain in the Royal Air Force during World War II. He later established a publishing empire that included newspapers, magazines, and book imprints around the world. Maxwell entered politics as a Labour Member of Parliament in the 1960s before focusing on his media ventures. Under his leadership, Maxwell Communications Group acquired numerous high-profile titles, expanding his influence. After his death in 1991, investigations revealed massive fraud involving company pension funds. His life story, marked by dramatic rises and falls, remains one of the most sensational in 20th-century media history. Maxwell’s legacy continues to fascinate historians and journalists alike.