August 08

Trajan was born in Italica in 53 AD and became emperor after the death of Nerva in 98 AD. He embarked on successful military campaigns, notably the Dacian Wars, which secured vast new provinces for Rome. His reign saw the construction of Trajan’s Forum and Trajan’s Column, monumentalizing his victories. He implemented social welfare programs and expanded infrastructure across the empire. Regarded as one of the Five Good Emperors, his rule is marked by prosperity and stability until his death in 117 AD.

Lothair II was born in 835 as the second son of Emperor Lothair I and inherited the kingdom of Lotharingia in 855. His rule was defined by conflicts with his uncles and brothers over the division of Middle Francia. He sought an annulment of his marriage to Theutberga, sparking political and ecclesiastical controversy. The Treaty of Meerssen in 870, negotiated shortly after his death, further reshaped the Carolingian territories he once ruled. Lothair’s court in Aachen became a center of Carolingian politics until his sudden death at age 33.

Sŏ Hŭi was born in 942 and rose to become one of Goryeo’s most respected statesmen. In 993, as envoy to the Liao dynasty, he successfully defended Goryeo’s northern borders through skillful diplomacy. His memorial to the Khitan emperor blended historical argument and political acumen, securing peace without warfare. Sŏ Hŭi held high office as a chancellor and adviser to King Seongjong. His legacy endures as a model of negotiation and statecraft in Korean history.

Almanzor, born Muhammad ibn Abī ʿĀmir in the mid-10th century, became hajib and the real power behind Caliph Hisham II in 978. He led numerous expeditions against the Christian kingdoms of northern Iberia, including the sack of Barcelona and León, expanding Córdoba’s influence. Almanzor reformed the administrative and military structures of the emirate, consolidating centralized authority. He also patronized arts and architecture in Córdoba, commissioning palaces and mosques. He died in 1002 while returning from a campaign, leaving a mixed legacy of military prowess and political domination.

Henry of Castile, known as The Senator, was born in 1230 as an infante of Castile and León. He initially governed territories in Andalusia but faced conflicts with his brother Alfonso X, leading to his exile to the Papal States. In 1284, Pope Martin IV appointed him Senator of Rome, granting him authority over the city’s affairs. Henry’s tenure in Italy involved both political leadership and patronage of religious institutions. He died in 1303, remembered for his cross-cultural role between Castilian and Italian politics.

George Booth, 1st Baron Delamer (1622–1684), was a prominent Cheshire landowner and staunch Royalist during the English Civil War. He raised and commanded Royalist forces in local campaigns, defending his family estates against Parliamentary armies. In 1659, he led Booth's Uprising, an unsuccessful insurrection aiming to restore Charles II to the throne. Following the Restoration in 1660, he was ennobled as Baron Delamer and served in the House of Lords. Booth also held regional offices such as Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire, exercising significant influence in northwest England. He died in 1684, remembered for his loyalty and leadership during a turbulent period in British history.

George Canning (1770–1827) was a British Tory politician renowned for his wit and eloquence in Parliament. He held key offices including Foreign Secretary and Chancellor of the Exchequer, shaping Britain's policies during the Napoleonic era. Canning championed Catholic emancipation and free trade, provoking both support and opposition. In April 1827, he became Prime Minister, but his government was cut short by his untimely death after only four months in office. His speeches and writings are remembered for their rhetorical brilliance and forward-looking vision. Canning's diplomatic skill and reformist stance left a lasting mark on 19th-century British politics.

Born in 1758, Marie-Claire Heureuse Félicité Bonheur rose from humble beginnings to become Empress of Haiti upon her marriage to Jean-Jacques Dessalines. As Empress, she championed the welfare of the Haitian people during the turbulent years following independence. She organized hospitals, provided food and comfort to soldiers and civilians, and maintained diplomatic relations with foreign powers. After her husband's assassination in 1806, she continued her philanthropic efforts throughout her later life. Madame Bonheur's compassionate leadership left a lasting legacy in Haiti's early history.

Born in 1808 in Kentucky, Alexander William Doniphan was a skilled lawyer who also served as a colonel in the Mexican-American War. He is celebrated for leading a daring expedition that safeguarded thousands of settlers during the New Mexico campaign. After the war, Doniphan represented Missouri in the state legislature and served as a U.S. Congressman, championing legal reforms and westward expansion. His legal acumen and principled stand during the Missouri Mormon War earned him widespread respect. Doniphan's life blended military valor with civic service until his passing in 1887.

William Pierce Frye was born in 1830 in Lewiston, Maine, and rose to prominence as a lawyer and dedicated public servant. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, ultimately becoming President pro tempore of the Senate. Frye was known for his skillful legislative leadership and influence on key tariff and naval policies. He championed Maine's commercial interests and national maritime strength during his long tenure. Frye's career exemplified statesmanship and commitment to federal governance until his death in 1911.

Born in 1871, Stjepan Radić studied law before dedicating his life to advocating for Croatian peasants and national rights. In 1904, he founded the Croatian Peasant Party, promoting agrarian reform and parliamentary democracy. Radić was known for his powerful speeches and willingness to challenge the authorities of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and later the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. On June 20, 1928, he survived an initial attack in the Yugoslav parliament but succumbed to wounds on August 8. His death marked a critical turning point, deepening political divisions and contributing to the rise of authoritarian rule.

Ma Lik began his career as a journalist, rising to prominent positions at a major pro-Beijing newspaper in Hong Kong. He entered politics in the 1980s with the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB). He served on the Hong Kong Legislative Council and was elected chairman of the DAB in 2003. Known for his staunch pro-Beijing stance and outspoken style, he led his party through debates on Hong Kong's democratic development. Under his leadership, the DAB expanded its influence in local elections and legislative affairs. Ma's sudden death in 2007 cut short a career that had significant impact on Hong Kong's political landscape.