July 27

Born in 1452 as the second son of Francesco I Sforza, Ludovico Sforza rose to power as Duke of Milan. He fostered the arts and sciences, inviting luminaries like Leonardo da Vinci and Bramante to his court. Under his patronage, Leonardo painted 'The Last Supper' on the walls of Santa Maria delle Grazie. His political ambitions led to conflicts with France, resulting in his capture and death in exile in 1508. His legacy endures through the cultural treasures of the Italian Renaissance.

Born in 1612 in Istanbul, Murad IV ascended the Ottoman throne as a minor and initially ruled under regency. As an adult, he personally led military campaigns to retake Baghdad in 1638 and quell internal dissent. He famously banned alcohol, tobacco, and coffee to enforce public order. His reign marked a temporary resurgence of imperial power before his sudden death in 1640. Murad IV's legacy is remembered for both his military achievements and austere reforms.

Born in Pennsylvania in 1752, Samuel Smith moved to Maryland and began a career in law before the American Revolution. He served as a colonel in the Continental Army and later commanded Maryland militia during the War of 1812, earning acclaim for his defense of Baltimore. His leadership at the Battle of North Point helped repel British forces in 1814. After the war, Smith transitioned to politics, serving multiple terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1803, where he advocated for naval defenses and infrastructure improvements. Smith's dual legacy as a soldier and statesman made him a significant figure in early American history.

Born in 1773 at the Nes Iron Works, Jacob Aall was educated in Germany and returned to manage his family's industrial enterprises. He wrote influential works on Norwegian history and politics, advocating for constitutional governance. Aall represented Schleswig at the Norwegian Constituent Assembly in 1814, helping draft the nation's constitution. He served in the Norwegian Parliament, promoting economic development and educational reforms. His dual contributions to industry and political thought left a lasting legacy in Norway's path to independence.

Born in 1812 in North Carolina, Clingman studied law and began a political career in the state legislature. Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in the 1840s, he later won a seat in the U.S. Senate. Although initially opposing secession, he joined the Confederacy and was commissioned as a brigadier general during the Civil War. Clingman's military tenure was brief, and he returned to North Carolina politics after the conflict. He spent his later years practicing law and advocating for reconciliation in the post-war South.

Born in 1848 into a noble Hungarian family, Loránd Eötvös earned his doctorate in physics and studied under Lord Kelvin in Britain. He later became a professor at the University of Budapest, where he developed the torsion balance experiment to measure differences in gravitational acceleration with unprecedented precision. His work confirmed key aspects of the equivalence principle and laid the groundwork for modern geophysics. In 1901, Eötvös was appointed Minister of Education of Hungary, promoting scientific research and educational reform. He also presided over the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, fostering international collaboration. Eötvös died in 1919, leaving a profound impact on both science and public service.

Born in 1854, Takahashi Korekiyo graduated from the Imperial University and joined the Ministry of Finance. He served multiple terms as Minister of Finance, guiding Japan through the Russo-Japanese War and post-World War I economic challenges. Appointed Prime Minister in 1921, he advocated fiscal prudence, banking regulation, and maintained the gold standard. Returning to leadership in 1931 amid the Great Depression, he devalued the yen and launched public works projects to stimulate growth. His policies helped stabilize the Japanese economy but eventually led to conflict with militarist factions. Takahashi was assassinated during the February 26 Incident in 1936. His contributions to Japan's modern financial system are still recognized today.

José Celso Barbosa (1857–1921) was the first Puerto Rican to earn a medical degree in the United States, graduating from the University of Michigan in 1880. A dedicated sociologist, he conducted studies on social conditions and championed civil rights and education reform in Puerto Rico. In 1899, he founded the Partido Federal, advocating for greater political autonomy and laying the groundwork for the modern statehood movement. Often called the 'Father of the Puerto Rican Statehood Movement,' Barbosa served in various public offices and promoted public health initiatives. His efforts helped shape early 20th-century Puerto Rican society across medicine, sociology, and politics.

António José de Almeida (1866–1929) trained as a physician before turning to politics during the early years of the Portuguese Republic. He was a leading republican activist, co-founding the Evolutionist Party and advocating for civil liberties and educational reform. Almeida served briefly as Prime Minister in 1916–1917 before being elected President in 1919. His presidency oversaw efforts to stabilize the young republic and address social issues following World War I. A skilled orator and reformer, he left a lasting impact on Portuguese political life before his death in 1929.

Robert George was born in 1896 in Scotland and joined the Royal Flying Corps during World War I. He rose through the ranks to become an Air Marshal in the Royal Air Force after World War II. In 1953, he was appointed the 24th Governor of South Australia, serving until 1960. Governor George supported post-war development and fostered cultural and educational initiatives. He was honored with knighthoods in both the United Kingdom and Australia. His leadership bridged military service and civic governance, leaving a lasting impact in both realms.

Born in 1896, Longchambon studied law and established a reputable legal practice in France. He entered politics in the 1930s, serving in both local and national capacities. He championed legal and social reforms through his articulate speeches and legislative work. Throughout his career, he was respected for his commitment to justice and public service. He left a lasting legacy in French legal and political circles until his death in 1969.

Born in 1903, Stasinopoulos graduated in law and built a distinguished career as a judge and academic before entering politics. He held senior judicial positions and taught constitutional law, earning respect as a leading legal scholar. He played a pivotal role in Greece's transition to democracy following the fall of the military junta, being elected President in December 1974. During his tenure, he oversaw key constitutional reforms and helped stabilize the new democratic framework. Stasinopoulos remained a respected elder statesman until his passing in 2002.