June 10

Liu Bei was born in AD 161 and rose from modest origins to become a key warlord in the late Eastern Han dynasty. He declared himself emperor of the Shu Han Kingdom in 221 and sought to restore the Han dynasty’s glory. Known for his virtue and loyalty to oath brothers Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, he became a symbol of righteous leadership. Liu Bei’s campaigns and alliances shaped the power dynamics of the Three Kingdoms era. Although he faced military setbacks, his legacy endured in Chinese history and literature, including the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. He died on June 10, 223, leaving behind a kingdom that continued under his son’s rule.

Born in 727, Emperor Daizong ascended the throne during a period of recovery following the An Lushan Rebellion. He worked to restore stability to the empire by reforming the bureaucracy and supporting Confucian scholars. Daizong faced ongoing military threats but managed to negotiate peace and reorganize frontier defenses. He also patronized Buddhist institutions and promoted cultural revival in the capital, Chang’an. His reign saw both achievements in governance and challenges from regional military governors. He died on June 10, 779, leaving an empire that had regained much of its former strength.

Abul Abbas al-Saffah was born in 721 into the Abbasid family and became the first Abbasid caliph in 750. He led a successful revolt against the Umayyad Caliphate, marking a major shift in Islamic history. As caliph, he established Baghdad as the new capital, laying the groundwork for a golden age of Islamic culture. He implemented administrative reforms and patronized scholars, helping to stabilize and legitimize Abbasid rule. His short reign was characterized by consolidation of power and suppression of opposition. He died on June 10, 754, but his foundation endured, shaping the medieval Islamic world.

Liu Yan was born in 889 and emerged as a prominent warlord in southern China as the Tang dynasty collapsed. In 917, he declared himself emperor of the Southern Han Kingdom, ruling from the city of Guangzhou. Under his leadership, the kingdom thrived through maritime trade and cultural exchange with neighboring regions. Liu Yan patronized Confucian scholars and Buddhist temples, fostering a center of learning and religion. His reign established one of the most stable and prosperous states of the Ten Kingdoms era. He died on June 10, 942, leaving a legacy of economic and cultural growth in the Pearl River Delta.

Ernest I was the Margrave of the Eastern March, an early medieval frontier region that later became Austria. Born in 1027, he assumed the title in 1055 and oversaw the defense and administration of the borderlands of the Holy Roman Empire. He strengthened fortifications against Magyar incursions and fostered settlement in the region. Ernest supported the Salian emperors in imperial politics and maintained relative autonomy for his margraviate. His rule contributed to the gradual development of Austrian identity and institutions. He died on June 10, 1075, and was succeeded by his son Leopold II.

Born into the powerful Northeim family in 1087, Richenza married Lothair III in 1108 and became Holy Roman Empress. She wielded significant influence at court, patronizing monastic reform and supporting her husband’s imperial policies. Richenza played a diplomatic role in securing alliances with Italian states and German princes. After Lothair’s death in 1137, she acted as regent for her son and maintained the position of her family within imperial politics. Her patronage extended to religious institutions, and she supported the founding of abbeys in Saxony. Richenza died on June 10, 1141, remembered as a powerful empress and noblewoman.

Frederick I (1122–1190), known as Frederick Barbarossa, was elected King of Germany in 1152 and crowned Holy Roman Emperor in 1155. He led several military campaigns to assert imperial control over the Italian city-states, notably fighting the Lombard League. A skilled diplomat and charismatic ruler, he maintained relative peace across the Empire for decades. Frederick joined the Third Crusade in 1189, aiming to secure Christian access to the Holy Land. He tragically drowned in the Saleph River in Anatolia, cementing his legacy as one of the most powerful medieval emperors.

Born into the House of Brandenburg, Matilda married Otto the Child, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg, strengthening ties between two powerful dynasties. As duchess, she managed estates and played a role in regional governance during her husband's absences. Matilda acted as a regent for her children, ensuring a stable succession for the ducal house. Her patronage extended to religious institutions, and she founded several monasteries in her territories. She died in 1261, remembered for her skillful diplomacy and support of the arts and the Church.

Born to Albert I of Germany and Elisabeth of Tyrol, Agnes married Henry VII, becoming Holy Roman Empress and Queen of Germany. Following her first husband's death, she married Otto of Brunswick, Duke of Carinthia, furthering Habsburg influence. As duchess, she oversaw administration of Carinthia and engaged in diplomatic negotiations with neighboring realms. Agnes was a notable patron of monastic communities, supporting architecture and religious art. She died in 1364, remembered for her political acumen and lasting contributions to the Habsburg dynasty.

A son of Duke Leopold III, Ernest inherited Inner Austria and co-ruled with his brother Frederick IV, focusing on economic reforms. He implemented measures to stabilize currency and promoted trade within his domains to boost prosperity. Ernest arranged key marriages for his children, forging alliances with other European dynasties. He was a patron of the arts and oversaw the construction of churches and civic buildings in Graz. Ernest died in 1424, leaving a more unified and prosperous territory for his successors.

Daughter of King Charles II of Navarre, Joan first married John IV, Duke of Brittany, playing a vital role in Breton politics. As duchess, she managed court affairs and patronized religious houses, enhancing her reputation for piety. Widowed in 1399, she returned to Navarre before marrying King Henry IV of England in 1403. In England, she acted as regent during Henry’s absences and navigated court intrigues with skill. After Henry’s death, she retired to her own estates, where she continued her charitable and patronage activities until her death.

John Popham was a prominent lawyer and statesman in Elizabethan England. He served as Attorney General for England and Wales and later became Chief Justice of the King's Bench. Popham played a key role in developing English common law and presided over high-profile trials. He also sponsored early colonial ventures in North America, including the Popham Colony. His legal reforms and decisions had a lasting influence on the English judicial system.