September 20

He ascended the throne at a young age in 1168 and ruled until his abdication in 1180. His reign saw the growing power of Taira no Kiyomori, which shaped court politics and set the stage for the Genpei War. Born as Prince Norihito, he was the son of Emperor Go-Shirakawa. Though his authority was largely ceremonial, his era name reflects significant cultural developments in the late Heian court. Struggles between rival clans and court factions defined much of his time as emperor. He was forced to abdicate under the pressure of the Taira clan and died shortly thereafter. His reign is viewed as a pivotal moment in the transition from aristocratic to samurai-dominated governance.

He succeeded his father in 1458 and governed Hanau-Münzenberg until his death in 1500. Under his leadership, the county strengthened its political alliances through strategic marriages. He oversaw economic growth by promoting local trade and market rights. Philipp I navigated the complex imperial politics of Maximilian I's reign. He contributed to cultural patronage, supporting churches and local artisans. His descendants continued to play significant roles in regional affairs. His tenure marked a period of stability and consolidation for his territories.

Born in 1486, Arthur was groomed to unite England with Spain through his marriage to Catherine of Aragon. He received an education fit for a future king, studying languages, theology, and chivalric ideals. His marriage in 1501 created high hopes for a lasting Anglo-Spanish alliance. Tragically, he died just months after his wedding, likely from an unknown illness. His untimely death led to his brother Henry VIII's succession and altered the course of English history. Arthur's brief life has inspired countless works of literature and scholarship. He remains a poignant figure in the Tudor dynasty's early narrative.

He was born in 1504 and assumed the title in 1511, ruling until 1559. Philip III balanced the pressures of the Protestant Reformation and imperial politics. He maintained peace in his territories through careful diplomacy and limited religious reforms. Under his rule, Nassau-Weilburg saw improvements in agriculture and local administration. He founded charitable institutions and patronized religious buildings. Philip's alliances helped secure his family's position within the Holy Roman Empire. His leadership paved the way for the prosperity of later Nassau branches.

Born into the Hanau dynasty in 1514, he became count in 1540 and ruled until 1590. Philipp IV managed his lands during the tumult of the Reformation and Counter-Reformation. He fostered economic recovery by supporting trade routes and market expansion. His patronage extended to religious institutions, balancing Protestant and Catholic interests. He arranged advantageous marriages for his children to strengthen dynastic ties. Philipp commissioned architectural projects that shaped the county's towns. His long rule provided continuity and growth for Hanau-Lichtenberg.

Mateo de Toro Zambrano was born in Santiago, Chile, in 1685 into a prominent aristocratic family. He held the title 1st Count of La Conquista and managed vast estates. In 1810, amidst growing independence movements, he was appointed President of Chile's First Government Junta, marking the beginning of Chilean self-governance. His leadership helped lay the groundwork for Chile's struggle for independence. He died in 1811, but his role in Chilean history endures as a symbol of early autonomy efforts.

Jean-Jacques Dessalines was born into slavery in Saint-Domingue (now Haiti) in 1758 and rose to become a key leader of the Haitian Revolution. A trusted lieutenant of Toussaint Louverture, he commanded forces that defeated French colonial armies. After declaring independence in 1804, Dessalines crowned himself Emperor Jacques I of Haiti. His rule was marked by efforts to rebuild the nation and protect it from foreign powers, but also by harsh reprisals against former colonists. Assassinated in 1806, Dessalines is remembered as a founding father of Haiti and a symbol of anti-colonial resistance.

Richard Dry was born in Tasmania in 1815 to a family of Irish convict descent that rose to local prominence. He entered colonial politics, advocating for land reform and responsible self-government. In 1866, Dry became the seventh Premier of Tasmania, leading a ministry focused on infrastructure and education. Under his leadership, the colony advanced towards greater autonomy within the British Empire. His integrity and reformist stance made him a respected figure among colonists. Dry died in office in 1869, remembered for strengthening Tasmania's parliamentary institutions.

King Chulalongkorn ascended the Siamese throne at age 15 and guided his nation through a period of rapid change. He implemented major reforms in government, education, and the legal system, laying the foundations of modern Thailand. Chulalongkorn traveled abroad to study Western governments, using those insights to centralize administration and abolish slavery. He established modern infrastructure, including railways and postal systems, fostering economic development. His diplomatic skill preserved Siam's independence amid colonial pressures from Britain and France. Chulalongkorn remains a beloved figure in Thai history, honored for his visionary leadership until his death in 1910.

Born in 1875, Matthias Erzberger shaped post-World War I Germany as a leader of the Centre Party and a negotiator of the armistice that ended the war. Serving as Minister of Finance in the Weimar Republic, he introduced progressive tax policies and championed social welfare programs. A passionate advocate for democratic governance, Erzberger faced intense backlash from nationalist and conservative groups. His deeds made him a target for right-wing extremists, leading to his assassination in 1921. Despite his tragic death, his efforts toward peace and reform left a lasting mark on Germany's political landscape.

Born in 1878, Francisco Lagos Cházaro was a Mexican political leader who briefly served as acting president during the upheaval of the Mexican Revolution. A supporter of Venustiano Carranza’s constitutionalist movement, he assumed the interim presidency in 1915. During his short tenure, he faced challenges including political fragmentation and military conflicts. After leaving office, Lagos Cházaro continued his public service in various governmental roles. His presidency, though brief, reflected the complex struggles for power and reform in early-20th-century Mexico.

Born in 1885, Enrico Mizzi was a prominent Maltese lawyer and ardent advocate for Maltese nationalism. He co-founded the Democratic Nationalist Party, opposing Italian fascist influence on the island. Mizzi was interned by Italian authorities during World War II for his political activities. After the war, he became Prime Minister of Malta in 1950, championing self-government and national identity. His tenure was short-lived due to his untimely death later that year, but he is remembered as a passionate defender of Maltese sovereignty.