September 13

Born in AD 678, he ascended the throne of Palenque in his adolescence and ruled until 730. Under his guidance, the city witnessed the construction of grand temples, including the famed Temple of the Inscriptions. He secured his legacy through hieroglyphic inscriptions that chronicle his reign and diplomatic alliances. His leadership extended Palenque’s influence across the region, strengthening Maya political networks. Archaeologists today rely on his monuments to understand Maya civilization’s cultural and architectural advancements.

Born in 1087, John II succeeded his father Alexios I Komnenos as emperor in 1118. Known as John the Good, he led successful campaigns against the Pechenegs and Seljuk Turks. He reformed the empire’s finances and strengthened provincial governance to ensure stability. A patron of the Orthodox Church and the arts, he commissioned churches and supported scholars. His reign marked a period of relative peace and economic growth in the 12th-century Byzantine world.

Born in 1373, Minkhaung I ascended the throne of Ava in 1400 and reigned for over two decades. He led four major wars against the Hanthawaddy Kingdom in southern Burma, seeking territorial expansion. His rule saw both significant victories and strategic retreats, shaping the region’s political landscape. A devotee of Theravada Buddhism, he funded monasteries and promoted religious scholarship. His legacy endures in Burmese chronicles as a king who balanced power, piety, and perseverance.

Born in 1521 and educated at Cambridge, William Cecil entered royal service as a skilled administrator. Under Elizabeth I, he served as Secretary of State and later as Lord High Treasurer, guiding domestic and foreign policy. He orchestrated the Elizabethan Religious Settlement, balancing Protestant and Catholic interests. A patron of exploration, he supported voyages that expanded England’s maritime presence. His financial stewardship and diplomatic acumen laid the groundwork for England’s Golden Age.

Born in 1604, Brereton was created a baronet in 1627 and served as MP for Cheshire. He became a key military commander for Parliament against King Charles I in the English Civil War. Brereton’s disciplined leadership secured crucial victories in northwest England and disrupted Royalist supply lines. After the conflict, he retired from public life, remembered for his strategic acumen and civic commitment. He died in 1698, his efforts contributing to the transformation of British governance.

Born in Alabama in 1842, Bankhead served as a lieutenant in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. After the war, he studied law and entered state politics, winning election to the U.S. House in 1887. He later represented Alabama in the U.S. Senate from 1907 until his death in 1920. Bankhead championed agricultural and infrastructure improvements, notably supporting federal road funding. His legislative efforts influenced national highway development and rural electrification.

Born in 1872 in Uwajima, Kōchi Prefecture, Kijūrō Shidehara graduated from the Tokyo Imperial University and embarked on a diplomatic career, serving in key posts including ambassador to the United States. He became Foreign Minister under multiple administrations, promoting pacific diplomacy known as Shidehara Diplomacy. In 1945, he was appointed Prime Minister and guided Japan's initial postwar reconstruction, advocating democratic reforms and laying the groundwork for the 1947 Constitution. Shidehara retired in 1946 and continued to influence Japanese foreign policy until his death in 1951.

Born in 1874 in Winnemucca, Nevada, Henry F. Ashurst moved to Arizona and became a prominent attorney. When Arizona achieved statehood in 1912, he was elected to the U.S. Senate, where he served until 1941. Ashurst was known for championing Western water rights, progressive legislation, and New Deal policies. He chaired the Senate Committee on Public Lands and was respected for his oratory skills. After leaving the Senate, he continued practicing law until his death in 1962.

Born in La Palma, Cuba in 1882, Ramón Grau San Martín trained as a medical doctor before entering politics. He first became provisional President after the 1933 revolution that ousted Gerardo Machado, initiating reform efforts. Exiled shortly after, he returned and was democratically elected in 1944. Grau's administrations focused on educational expansion, labor rights, and public health, though his tenure faced economic and political challenges. He stepped down in 1948 and remained an influential figure until his death in 1969.

Petros Voulgaris was a distinguished admiral in the Hellenic Navy who rose to the position of 136th Prime Minister of Greece. Born in 1883, he commanded naval forces through the Balkan Wars and World War I, earning a reputation for strategic acumen. In the aftermath of World War II, Voulgaris led a transitional government from 1945 to 1946, overseeing free elections and the restoration of civil order. He played a key role in modernizing the Greek naval fleet and strengthening maritime defenses. Revered for his integrity and dedication, Voulgaris remains a respected figure in both military and political history.

C. Sittampalam began his professional life as a respected attorney in Sri Lanka, building a reputation for integrity and legal acumen. He later transitioned into politics, securing a seat in the national legislature where he advocated for judicial reforms and community development. His tenure saw efforts to modernize legal frameworks in post-independence Sri Lanka, helping to establish institutions that supported the rule of law. Sittampalam was recognized by colleagues for his thoughtful approach to governance and dedication to public service. He remained active in both legal and civic affairs until his passing in 1964.

Born in Bessarabia (now Moldova), Corneliu Zelea Codreanu emerged as a charismatic orator advocating for militant nationalism and Orthodox Christian values. In 1927, he founded the Legion of the Archangel Michael, later known as the Iron Guard, which combined political activism with religious mysticism. His movement gained significant support by promoting anti-corruption and anti-Semitic policies during Romania’s turbulent interwar years. Codreanu’s followers carried out street violence and rallies, forcing the government to view the Guard as a major threat. In 1938, he was arrested and executed under orders from King Carol II’s regime, leaving behind a legacy that remains deeply divisive in Romanian history.