July 31

Hugh of Montgomery succeeded his father as the 2nd Earl of Shrewsbury in the late 11th century. A member of the powerful Montgomery family, he held extensive lands in Wales and England. Hugh joined Norman campaigns across the British Isles, maintaining his family's military reputation. His lordship played a role in the ongoing struggles against Welsh princes. He died in 1098 during military operations in Normandy, likely at the siege of Mantes. His death marked a turning point in the fortunes of the Montgomery earldom.

Étienne Marcel was the provost of the merchants of Paris during the Hundred Years' War. He emerged as a vocal critic of royal authority and champion of the Third Estate. In 1358, he led a popular uprising demanding political reforms and fiscal accountability. Marcel negotiated the Great Ordinance to limit King John II's power. His radical tactics eventually alienated supporters, leading to his assassination. He remains a symbol of early French urban protest and civic activism.

William Courtenay served as Archbishop of Canterbury from 1381 and later became Lord Chancellor. Born into the noble Courtenay family in 1342, he combined ecclesiastical leadership with political influence. He played a key role in mediating conflicts between King Richard II and the English nobility. Courtenay was known for his administrative reforms within the Church and his legal expertise. His dual roles made him one of the most powerful figures in late 14th-century England. He died in 1396, leaving a legacy of church-state collaboration.

Na'od was Emperor of Ethiopia from 1494 until his death in 1508. A member of the Solomonic dynasty, he sought to strengthen the Christian kingdom amid regional challenges. He commissioned the construction of churches and fortified cities to defend against raids. Despite efforts at religious and administrative reforms, his reign faced internal revolts. Na'od died in battle against the Adal Sultanate, marking a turbulent period in Ethiopian history. His rule is remembered for attempts to preserve Ethiopia's independence and faith.

Roger Wilbraham served as Solicitor-General for Ireland from 1586 to 1603. Born into a Cheshire gentry family in 1553, he was educated at Oxford and Gray's Inn. He advised Lord Deputy Sir William Fitzwilliam during tumultuous periods of Irish governance. Wilbraham's legal expertise helped shape early Tudor administration in Ireland. After returning to England, he continued his legal practice and held various commissions. He died in 1616, remembered for his service in extending English law in Ireland.

Born in Northamptonshire in 1576, Thomas Dudley served as an English soldier before emigrating to New England in 1630. As the 3rd Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, he guided the fledgling settlement through legal reforms and administrative organization. Dudley’s dedication to Puritan principles influenced the colony’s religious and civic life, leading him to draft the Massachusetts Body of Liberties. He also played a key role in founding Harvard College and promoting education in the colony. Known for his strict moral stance, Dudley was respected for his firm leadership and commitment to community order. His legacy remains in the institutional foundations he helped establish, shaping the future of New England society.

Born in Lisbon in 1689, John V ascended the Portuguese throne in 1706 and ruled until his death in 1750. His reign is often called the ‘Golden Age’ of Portugal, fueled by the influx of gold from Brazil. A passionate patron of the arts and sciences, John V commissioned the lavish Mafra National Palace and supported composers like Domenico Scarlatti. He strengthened diplomatic ties with the Vatican, earning the title ‘Most Faithful Majesty’ from Pope Benedict XIV. Under his rule, Lisbon became a center of Baroque culture, with significant advancements in architecture, learning, and religious institutions. John V’s policies left a lasting legacy on Portugal’s artistic and cultural heritage.

Born into the Bligh family in 1719, John Bligh inherited the title of 3rd Earl of Darnley in 1747. Before inheriting the earldom, he represented Maidstone in the House of Commons, later taking his seat in the House of Lords. Darnley also served as Lord-Lieutenant of Kent, overseeing local militia and civic affairs. Known for his patronage of agricultural improvements, he managed his estates with progressive reforms that benefited tenant farmers. He supported local arts and education initiatives, earning respect among his peers and constituents. Bligh died in 1781, remembered for his dedication to public service and regional leadership.

Andrew Johnson was the 17th President of the United States, serving from 1865 to 1869 after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Born into poverty in North Carolina, he rose from a tailor’s apprentice to become a senator and military governor. As President, he led the tumultuous early Reconstruction era and clashed repeatedly with the Radical Republican Congress. He was the first U.S. President to face impeachment, surviving removal from office by a single Senate vote. Johnson’s lenient policies toward the defeated Confederate states made him a controversial figure. Despite his political struggles, he advocated for the restoration of the Union and spoke against the economic elite. His presidency profoundly shaped the post-Civil War United States and set precedents for executive-congressional relations.

Born Nguyễn Phúc Ung Đăng in 1869, he ascended the throne as Emperor Kiến Phúc of Vietnam at the age of just 14. His reign began in September 1883 amid political turmoil and French colonial pressure. Despite his youth, he attempted to navigate the complexities of court factions and colonial encroachment. His brief tenure was overshadowed by regent Tôn Thất Thuyết and the rivalry between royal court members. In July 1884, Emperor Kiến Phúc died under mysterious circumstances at only 15 years old. His untimely death led to a rapid succession crisis within the Nguyễn dynasty. Kiến Phúc’s reign remains a poignant example of the struggles faced by Vietnamese monarchs under colonial rule.

Jean Jaurès was a leading figure in the French socialist movement and a passionate advocate for workers’ rights. As the founder of the newspaper L'Humanité, he used journalism to campaign for social justice and political reform. Elected to the Chamber of Deputies, Jaurès championed universal suffrage, labor protections, and the arbitration of international disputes. A committed pacifist, he fiercely opposed the rush to war in 1914, calling on European powers to seek diplomatic solutions. His assassination on July 31, 1914, marked a tragic turning point on the eve of World War I. Jaurès’s writings and speeches inspired generations of social reformers and anti-war activists. His legacy endures through institutions and political movements that continue to uphold his vision for equity and peace.

Ion Dragoumis was a Greek diplomat, writer, and philosophical thinker who emerged as a leading intellectual figure in the early 20th century. Educated in Switzerland and France, he developed a vision of Hellenic identity that blended classical heritage with modern nationalism. Serving in various diplomatic posts, Dragoumis sought to promote Greek interests in the Balkans during the turbulent years preceding World War I. He authored essays and novels that critiqued political corruption and championed moral renewal in Greek society. Disillusioned with the monarchy and foreign intervention, he became an outspoken critic of the Venizelist government. In 1920, Dragoumis was assassinated in Athens, a death that fueled political instability in Greece. His writings continue to be studied for their insights into nationalism, ethics, and the challenges of state-building.