September 10

Born in 259 BC as Ying Zheng, he ascended the throne of Qin at age 13 and later unified the warring states in 221 BC. He established the Qin dynasty and adopted the title Shi Huangdi, meaning "First Emperor." He standardized weights, measures, currency, and the writing script across China. He commissioned massive infrastructure projects, including the initial construction of the Great Wall and a vast road network. His tomb is guarded by the famous Terracotta Army, discovered in 1974. Though his rule was harsh and short-lived, his reforms laid the foundations of imperial China for over two millennia.

Born in 544 into the prominent Dugu family, she married Yang Jian, who later founded the Sui dynasty as Emperor Wen. As Empress consort, she wielded significant political influence at court and was known for her partnership with the emperor in state affairs. She advocated for legal reforms and the promotion of meritocratic governance. Historical accounts praise her for frugality, moral integrity, and devotion to her family. She died in 602, leaving a legacy as one of the most powerful women in early medieval China.

Historical records on Guo Zhengyi are limited. He held positions in the Tang government during the reign of Emperor Gaozong and contributed to administrative duties at the central court. While details of his career are sparse, he was part of the civil service that helped consolidate early Tang rule. His work exemplifies the efforts of scholar-officials who maintained governmental stability. He died in 689 amid the political dynamics of Empress Wu’s ascent.

Li Chongfu was born into the royal Li family of the Tang dynasty, son of Emperor Zhongzong. His life unfolded amid intense court rivalries and factional conflicts. Limited historical sources record his involvement in power struggles following the death of his father and brother. As an imperial prince, he held nominal titles but lacked independent authority. He was executed in 710, a victim of the volatile politics that characterized the late Tang court.

Born in the late 9th century, Baldwin II succeeded his father as Margrave of Flanders and ruled from around 879 until his death in 918. He fortified coastal defenses to repel frequent Viking incursions and secured trade routes for burgeoning Flemish towns. He fostered the growth of monastic communities, contributing to the region’s cultural and economic development. His leadership helped establish Flanders as a distinct political entity within the Carolingian sphere. He died on September 10, 918, leaving a more stable and prosperous territory to his successors.

Born in 920 to Charles the Simple, Louis spent his early years exiled in England before returning to be crowned king at Reims in 936. His reign was dominated by powerful nobles like Hugh the Great, who sought to control royal authority. Louis worked to navigate alliances and maintain the fragile unity of West Francia amid feudal rivalries. He married Gerberga of Saxony, strengthening ties with German nobility. He died in a hunting accident on September 10, 954, bringing an abrupt end to his troubled but pivotal rule.

Born in 1102 to Henry I of England, Matilda was betrothed to Emperor Henry V and crowned Empress in 1114. Her marriage symbolized a significant alliance between England and the Holy Roman Empire. After Henry V’s death in 1125, she returned to Normandy and eventually took the veil at Fontevraud Abbey. She managed ducal affairs for her family and supported monastic reforms. She died in 1167, remembered for her diplomatic role and contributions to religious life.

Born in 1166 to Count Henry I of Champagne, he inherited the county in 1181 and became one of France’s most powerful nobles. He joined the Third Crusade in 1189, earning distinction at Acre and in campaigns across the Levant. In 1192 he married Queen Isabella I of Jerusalem and was crowned King of Jerusalem, though his authority was contested by local barons. He returned to Europe, balancing his responsibilities between Champagne and his Crusader kingdom. He died on September 10, 1197, at the age of 31, leaving a legacy of cross-cultural dynastic ties.

William de Redvers, born into the Anglo-Norman aristocracy, became the 5th Earl of Devon and held significant estates in southwestern England. He served the Angevin kings Richard I and John, providing military and political support during their reigns. He administered regional justice, managed feudal obligations, and oversaw local councils. He also founded and patronized religious houses, contributing to the spiritual and economic life of Devon. He died on September 10, 1217, and was succeeded by his heirs, cementing his family’s influence in English nobility.

John II (c. 1237–1281) was the Margrave of Brandenburg-Stendal and a member of the influential House of Ascania. He co-ruled the Stendal line with his brothers after the death of their father, strengthening the territory's eastern frontier. He oversaw the construction of new fortifications and promoted settlement in sparsely populated areas. An ally of the Hohenstaufen emperors, he navigated imperial politics and local disputes with neighboring principalities. He was also a patron of Cistercian monasteries and supported church reform initiatives. John II died on 9 September 1281, leaving a more consolidated margraviate to his successors.

Emperor Go-Nijō (1285–1308), personal name Morohito, was the 94th sovereign of Japan, ascending the throne in 1301. As the second son of Emperor Fushimi, his reign was marked by the ceremonial role of the imperial court under the Kamakura bakufu's real power. During his rule, he navigated court factionalism between the Jimyōin and Daikakuji lines while upholding court rituals. Though his authority was restricted, he maintained the dignity of the Chrysanthemum Throne and patronized cultural events. Emperor Go-Nijō died of illness on 10 September 1308 and was succeeded by his cousin Emperor Hanazono. His posthumous name means ‘Later Nijō,’ distinguishing him from an earlier emperor.

Robert of Taranto (d. 1364) was a scion of the Angevin dynasty, son of Prince Philip of Taranto. He inherited the Principality of Taranto and claimed the title of Latin Emperor of Constantinople. In 1331, he was crowned King of Albania, seeking to extend Angevin influence across the Balkans. His rule was contested by local lords and rival claimants, leading to ongoing military and diplomatic struggles. Robert also styled himself Prince of Achaea and maintained claims to various Mediterranean lands. He died on 10 September 1364, leaving his titles and ambitions subject to dispute among his successors.