August 17

Carloman (c. 706–754) was a member of the Carolingian dynasty and served as Mayor of the Palace of Austrasia after the death of Charles Martel in 741. Alongside his brother Pepin the Short, he played a pivotal role in strengthening the administration of the Frankish kingdoms and securing military victories. In 747, he renounced his position and entered the monastery at Lérins, clearing the path for Pepin to become King of the Franks. He spent his remaining years in religious contemplation and died in 754. Carloman's decision to retire contributed significantly to the rise of the Carolingian monarchy.

Li Shouzhen (died 949) served as military governor of Huguo and Bingzhou circuits during the Five Dynasties era. After the fall of Later Jin in 947, he refused to submit to the new Later Han regime and declared himself Prince of Qi. His rebellion initially secured territory but was ultimately crushed by forces led by Guo Wei. Facing defeat, Li Shouzhen committed suicide in 949. His uprising exemplified the political fragmentation and turmoil of northern China in the mid-10th century.

Eustace IV (c. 1130–1153) was the eldest son of King Stephen of England and Queen Matilda of Boulogne. Crowned as his father's heir, he led military campaigns to defend his family's claim during the conflict against Empress Matilda. His control of Boulogne and Mortain solidified Stephen’s position but also fueled ongoing hostilities. Eustace died suddenly in 1153, shortly before the Treaty of Wallingford ended The Anarchy and paved the way for Henry Plantagenet’s accession. His unexpected death removed a key figure from the royal succession and shaped the future of the English crown.

Born in 1243 as the first son of Emperor Go-Saga, Go-Fukakusa ascended the throne at age three with the political backing of the retired emperors. His reign occurred under the shadow of the Kamakura shogunate’s military government, which held real power. In 1260, he abdicated in favor of his younger brother but continued to influence court politics through the cloistered government system. The rivalry between his Jimyoin line and his brother's Daikakuji line led to the split of the imperial family for decades. Go-Fukakusa died in 1304, leaving a legacy of succession disputes that shaped the imperial institution.

Born around 1462, Edmund Dudley rose to prominence as a lawyer and financier in the Tudor court. He served as Speaker of the House of Commons in 1504 and became one of King Henry VII’s chief advisors on revenue. Dudley, together with Richard Empson, enforced strict fiscal measures that filled the royal coffers but earned widespread resentment. After Henry VII’s death in 1509, he was arrested by the new king, Henry VIII, on charges of treason. He was convicted and executed in 1510, marking one of the first high-profile reversals of a Tudor minister’s fortunes. Dudley’s career exemplifies the dangers faced by those who enforced unpopular policies in a changing political landscape.

Richard Empson first gained royal favor as a skilled lawyer before joining the council of King Henry VII. He became notorious for his work with Edmund Dudley in the Council Learned in the Law, using legal writs to extract revenue from landowners. The duo’s aggressive approach to tax collection generated significant public animosity. Upon Henry VII’s death, Empson was arrested by Henry VIII and charged with corruption and treason. He was tried, convicted, and executed in 1510, serving as an early example of how new monarchs distanced themselves from their predecessors’ policies. Empson’s downfall highlighted the precarious position of royal advisors and the volatile nature of Tudor politics.

Jonathan Trumbull Sr. (1710–1785) was a prominent colonial merchant and politician who governed Connecticut from 1769 to 1784. As governor during the American Revolution, he was the only colonial governor to side openly with the Patriots, earning the trust of General George Washington. Trumbull ensured supplies and financing for the Continental Army and oversaw Connecticut's militia forces. His dual experience in commerce and politics enabled him to manage wartime economics effectively. A skilled negotiator, he maintained unity among Connecticut's leaders and citizens. After the war, his leadership helped transition the state government from colony to statehood.

Frederick II of Prussia (1712–1786), known as Frederick the Great, reigned from 1740 until his death in 1786. He transformed Prussia into a major European power through victories in the War of Austrian Succession and the Seven Years' War. An enlightened monarch, he modernized the administration, reformed the legal system, and promoted religious tolerance. A patron of the arts and philosophy, he corresponded with Voltaire and fostered a vibrant cultural scene at his court in Potsdam. Frederick's military innovations and statecraft shaped modern European politics and influenced the concept of enlightened absolutism.

Born in Yapeyú in the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata, he became a key leader in the wars for independence against Spanish rule. He crossed the Andes with his Army of the Andes in 1817 to liberate Chile and secured victory at the Battle of Chacabuco. Proclaimed the independence of Peru in 1821 and took the title Protector before resigning in favor of Simón Bolívar. Known as the 'Liberator of Argentina, Chile and Peru,' his military strategy and vision for a united South America earned him widespread respect. After weakening health and political exile, he spent his final years in France, refusing further power. He died in Boulogne-sur-Mer in 1850, venerated as a founding father of three nations. His legacy continues to inspire independence movements worldwide.

Born in Louisiana, he served three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1831 to 1838. A member of the Democratic Party, he was appointed by President John Tyler as the first U.S. minister to the independent Republic of Texas in 1842. During his tenure, he navigated complex relations between Texas and the United States, advocating for Texas's eventual annexation. He returned to Louisiana, where he remained active in state politics before the Civil War. La Branche's diplomatic efforts laid the groundwork for Texas's admission to the Union in 1845. He died in 1861, remembered for his role in shaping early U.S.-Texas relations.

Born in London, he trained as an engineer in the Royal Military Academy and joined the Royal Engineers. Jervois specialized in fortification design and served as Inspector-General of Fortifications for the British Army. In 1877, he was appointed Governor of South Australia, where he guided infrastructure development and defense planning. His tenure saw the expansion of railways, ports, and modern fortresses along the colony's coastline. After returning to England, he was later appointed Governor of the Straits Settlements in 1883. He died in 1897, remembered for his contributions to colonial governance and military engineering.

Moisei Uritsky was a key Bolshevik revolutionary who served as the head of the Cheka (secret police) in Petrograd in 1918. Born in 1873, he was influential in consolidating Bolshevik power after the October Revolution. Uritsky played a central role in suppressing counter-revolutionary activities and organizing Red Terror campaigns. He survived an assassination attempt in June 1918 but was fatally shot by a Socialist Revolutionary on August 17. His death intensified the Bolsheviks' campaign of political repression and had a lasting impact on the early Soviet state.