July 03

He was born Li Xian in 656 as the son of Emperor Gaozong and Empress Wu Zhou. He first ascended the throne in 684 but was deposed by his mother Wu Zetian the same year. After Wu Zetian's death in 705, he was restored to the throne and ruled until 710. His reign was marked by political factionalism and the growing power of Empress Wei. He patronized Buddhism and sponsored major construction projects. He died in 710 under mysterious circumstances, with some sources alleging poisoning.

He inherited the title of Margrave of Meissen from his father, Egbert I. As a powerful Saxon noble, he frequently clashed with King Henry IV over regional autonomy. He led several rebellions against imperial authority in defense of Saxon interests. Despite temporary victories, he was captured and imprisoned by the king's forces. He died in captivity in 1090, marking the decline of his family's regional power. His struggles exemplify the tensions between regional lords and royal centralization in medieval Germany.

He was born in England and rose through the ranks of the church to hold several bishoprics in Ireland. In 1284 he was appointed Archbishop of Tuam and later Lord Chancellor of Ireland. Stephen wielded both spiritual authority and political power, advising the English crown in Irish affairs. His reforms in church administration and land management were controversial among local nobles. He died in 1288 while on a mission for King Edward I, solidifying his reputation as a royal loyalist. His dual roles highlight the close ties between church and state in medieval Ireland.

Born in 1573 in Florence, she married King Henry IV of France in 1600. After his assassination in 1610, she served as regent for her young son Louis XIII. She appointed Cardinal Richelieu as chief minister, altering the course of French governance. Her patronage fostered the arts, including support for painters like Rubens. Facing court intrigues, she was eventually exiled and spent her final years abroad. She died in 1642, leaving a legacy of political influence and cultural patronage.

Antonio de Ulloa (1716–1795) was a Spanish naval officer, mathematician, and natural philosopher who participated in the famed French Geodesic Mission to South America. He made significant contributions to astronomy and natural history by documenting new species and measuring meridian arcs near the equator. In 1766, he was appointed the first Spanish governor of Louisiana, where he navigated complex political challenges during the brief transfer of power. Ulloa’s diplomatic skills were tested when local colonists rebelled against his administration, ultimately leading to his recall to Spain. His writings on meteorology, mineralogy, and naval engineering influenced scientific thought across Europe.

Little Crow (Taoyateduta) was born around 1810 and became chief of the Mdewakanton Dakota in present-day Minnesota. Frustrated by broken treaties and starvation among his people, he led the Dakota in the 1862 uprising against U.S. forces and settlers. Despite initial successes, his warriors were ultimately defeated, and he fled into the prairie. Little Crow was later killed by a settler in 1863 while attempting to negotiate peace. He remains a controversial figure remembered for his leadership and resistance to U.S. expansion.

Theodor Herzl was an Austrian journalist and playwright who became the founding father of modern political Zionism. Born in Budapest in 1860, he built a career in European journalism, reporting on cultural and political affairs. In 1896 he published Der Judenstaat, a pamphlet advocating for a Jewish homeland. Herzl convened the First Zionist Congress in Basel in 1897, uniting diverse Jewish communities under a political movement. He lobbied world leaders for support and laid the diplomatic foundations for the future state of Israel. His vision and leadership continue to inspire Jewish nationalism today.

Mehmed V Reşâd was the 35th Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, ruling from 1909 to 1918. Born in 1844 in Istanbul, he ascended the throne following the Young Turk Revolution. His reign was marked by the empire's entry into World War I on the side of the Central Powers, which led to significant military and territorial losses. Though largely a ceremonial figurehead, Mehmed V symbolized continuity in a time of profound upheaval. He presided over the empire's final years before its dissolution. Mehmed V's tenure reflects the challenges faced by the Ottoman monarchy in the early 20th century.

Hipólito Yrigoyen was an Argentine educator and political leader who served as President of Argentina from 1916 to 1922 and again from 1928 to 1930. Born in Buenos Aires in 1852, he co-founded the Radical Civic Union, championing electoral reform and universal male suffrage. Under his leadership, the Sáenz Peña Law was enacted, enabling fairer elections and expanding political participation. Yrigoyen's administrations implemented social and economic reforms aimed at supporting the working class. His second term ended with a military coup, reflecting political tensions of the era. Yrigoyen's legacy endures as a pioneer of Argentine democracy.

Friedrich Karl Akel was an Estonian physician and diplomat who held the office of State Elder (Head of State) from 1924 to 1925. Born in Tallinn in 1871, he graduated from the University of Tartu with a medical degree and practiced surgery. Transitioning to politics, he served as Foreign Minister and represented Estonia at the League of Nations. As State Elder, he promoted public health reforms and sought international recognition for his country. Following the Soviet occupation in 1940, he was arrested and died in Soviet custody in 1941. Akel's contributions to medicine and diplomacy were instrumental in shaping early Estonian independence.

Born into a British aristocratic family in 1867, Bathurst entered politics in his early twenties. He held various governmental posts before being appointed Governor-General of New Zealand in 1930. During his tenure, he promoted social welfare and supported Māori land rights. Bathurst is remembered for donating the Bledisloe Cup, fostering rugby rivalry between New Zealand and Australia. He was elevated to Viscount Bledisloe in recognition of his public service. After returning to England, he continued to advocate for imperial unity until his death in 1958.

Gaylord Nelson served as the 35th Governor of Wisconsin from 1959 to 1963, championing conservation and education initiatives. Elected to the U.S. Senate in 1963, he became a leading voice for environmental protection and authored legislation to safeguard natural resources. In 1970, he organized the first Earth Day, mobilizing millions of citizens and establishing a global environmental movement. Nelson chaired the Senate Committee on Health Education, Labor, and Pensions, and continued to advocate for sustainable policies throughout his career. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1995 for his contributions to environmental awareness. Nelson's legacy endures in ongoing efforts to address climate change and ecological preservation.