July 21

K'an II was born in 588 and ascended to the throne of Copán in 618. During his 40-year reign, he commissioned numerous stelae and altars that celebrated royal lineage and religious practices. Under his leadership, architectural expansions included impressive temples and plazas that became hallmarks of Maya city planning. His inscriptions provide valuable insights into Maya history, religion, and governance. K'an II fostered cultural prosperity, leaving a legacy of craftsmanship and recorded hieroglyphs that scholars study to this day. He died in 658, marking the end of a golden age for Copán.

Li Guo'er was a daughter of Emperor Zhongzong of Tang, born into the heart of the imperial court. She gained the favor of her mother, Empress Wei, and was granted unprecedented titles and wealth for a princess. Her close involvement in state affairs stirred resentment among other court factions and officials. Renowned for her extravagance and political maneuvering, Li Guo'er symbolized the excesses of late Tang aristocracy. In 710, she supported Empress Wei’s bid for power after Emperor Zhongzong’s death. A coup led by Princess Taiping and Li Longji ended her life and removed her family from power. Her story illustrates the intense rivalries and intrigues of the Tang imperial court.

Born into the powerful Wei clan, Empress Wei became the wife of Emperor Zhongzong of Tang. She exercised significant influence over imperial succession and court appointments. Following the emperor’s death, she acted as regent for her young daughter, Li Guo'er. Empress Wei aspired to emulate her predecessor Wu Zetian by claiming the throne herself. Her autocratic rule and scandalous alliances provoked widespread discontent. In 710, a palace coup led by Princess Taiping and Li Longji toppled her regime. Empress Wei was executed, ending her bold attempt to establish a female dynasty.

Born around 938 to the powerful Ingelger family, Geoffrey I inherited the countship in 960. Known as Greymantle for his distinctive cloak, he secured Anjou’s borders against Norman and Breton incursions. He expanded his influence through strategic marriages and alliances with neighboring lords. Geoffrey championed monastic reform, founding and supporting several abbeys in his domain. His effective rule stabilized the region and enhanced the prestige of the Angevins. He fathered Fulk III Nerra, who continued his legacy of military and political acumen. Geoffrey died on July 21, 987, leaving a stronger and more united countship.

Born in 1192, Gojong ascended the Goryeo throne in 1213 at a young age. His reign was dominated by the Mongol invasions, which began in 1231. He moved the capital to Ganghwa Island to strengthen defenses and safeguard the royal family. Gojong negotiated peace treaties with the Mongol Empire, balancing resistance with diplomacy. He supported cultural and religious institutions, particularly Buddhism, to maintain internal unity. His policies laid the foundation for Goryeo’s eventual incorporation into the Yuan dynasty. King Gojong died on July 21, 1259, after a reign of resilience and statecraft.

Born in 1350 to Emperor John V, Manuel II assumed the throne in 1391 amidst Ottoman threats. He secured temporary peace by negotiating with Sultan Bayezid I and later managed defensive alliances. Between 1400 and 1403, Manuel traveled to Western European courts, including Paris and London, seeking military aid. His eloquence and scholarship earned him respect among Western monarchs and scholars. At home, he patronized the arts and initiated theological writings, leaving behind important literary works. His reign extended Byzantine survival for several decades, despite diminishing territorial control. Emperor Manuel II died on July 21, 1425, remembered for his statesmanship and cultural legacy.

Antonio de Mendoza (1495–1552) was appointed the inaugural Viceroy of New Spain in 1535 and governed the colony until his death. Born into a noble Castilian family, he served at the court of Charles V and gained the monarch's trust. He established the first municipal councils, promoted education by founding the Royal and Pontifical University of Mexico, and supported missionary efforts. Mendoza implemented fiscal reforms that improved colonial revenues and oversaw the expansion of silver mining, boosting Spain's imperial wealth. His policies and administrative precedents shaped the governance of Spanish America for centuries.

James Butler, 1st Duke of Ormonde (1610–1688), was a leading royalist commander during the English Civil War and later became Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. He distinguished himself in battles such as the Battle of Edgehill and played a central role in the Restoration of Charles II. As a statesman, he negotiated delicate peace settlements and administered Irish affairs during a volatile period. Elevated to the dukedom in 1682, he balanced military duties with political leadership. His legacy endures in both Irish and English histories for his loyalty, strategic skill, and diplomatic acumen.

Antoine Bruni d'Entrecasteaux (1739–1793) was a French rear admiral and pioneering explorer who led a major expedition to locate the missing voyage of Jean-François de La Pérouse. His voyage charted parts of the Australian coast and the islands of the Pacific, significantly advancing European knowledge of the region. D'Entrecasteaux combined scientific inquiry with naval discipline, carrying naturalists and artists on board to document flora, fauna, and indigenous cultures. Despite his efforts, the fate of La Pérouse remained a mystery, and D'Entrecasteaux died suddenly on Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania). His journals and maps remained valuable resources for later navigators and cartographers.

Anthony Perry (died 1798) was a leading figure in the United Irishmen rebellion, rallying insurgents in County Wexford during the tumultuous uprising against British authority. Little is known of his early life, but he emerged as a skilled organizer and commander, directing rebel forces at key engagements. Perry's leadership during the battles of Oulart Hill and Enniscorthy demonstrated both courage and tactical insight. Captured by government troops, he was executed in Wexford, becoming a martyr for Irish independence. His commitment to republican ideals and local legacy endure in the folklore of the 1798 rebellion.

William Bland (1789–1868) was a British naval surgeon transported to Australia for dueling but went on to shape medical and political life in New South Wales. After establishing a successful medical practice in Sydney, he helped found the New South Wales Medical Board and advocated for public health reforms. Bland later entered politics, serving in the Legislative Council and championing infrastructure projects, education, and social welfare. His dual legacy as a pioneering physician and dedicated legislator contributed significantly to the colony's development. Bland's papers and philanthropic efforts left an enduring mark on Australian society.

Hiram Walden (1800–1880) was a New York attorney, militia officer, and politician who represented the state's 19th district in Congress during the Civil War era. Before his political career, he achieved the rank of general in the New York State Militia, overseeing training and local defense. Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1861, Walden supported Unionist policies and infrastructure improvements. After declining re-election, he returned to law practice and engaged in business ventures. His combined military and legislative service reflected the civic spirit of his generation.