September 20

Born in 1049 into the influential Ezzonen dynasty, Hermann II inherited the title of Count Palatine of Lotharingia. As a senior imperial official, he managed extensive estates along the Rhine and administered justice on behalf of the emperor. His close alliance with Emperor Henry IV helped stabilize Salian authority in the region. Hermann II was also a patron of monastic foundations, contributing to cultural and religious growth. His death in 1085 marked the end of a pivotal chapter for the Ezzonen family's influence in imperial politics.

Conrad II was born into the influential Salzwedel family and took holy orders to become a bishop in northern Germany. He governed his diocese with both spiritual authority and noble prestige, mediating between local lords and the church hierarchy. Conrad supported missionary efforts and the expansion of church lands in the region. His dual status enabled him to influence imperial politics as well as ecclesiastical reform. His leadership strengthened both regional church institutions and his family’s political standing until his death in 1241.

Born in 1185 into the ruling dynasty of Chernigov, Michael rose to prominence in the face of the Mongol invasion of Kievan Rus'. He served as prince of Chernigov and briefly as Grand Prince of Kiev. Michael is remembered for refusing to perform pagan rituals demanded by the Mongol authorities, leading to his execution in 1246. His steadfast faith and political leadership made him a symbol of resistance against foreign domination. The Orthodox Church later commemorated him as a martyr, cementing his legacy in Eastern Slavic history.

Born in 1339 as the second son of King John II of France, Louis I received the duchy of Anjou in 1360. He participated in military campaigns during the Hundred Years’ War and acted as an envoy for his brother, King Charles V. Louis held claims to the thrones of Naples and Sicily, launching expeditions to assert his rights. A patron of the arts, he supported the founding of hospitals and religious institutions. His political and cultural activities enhanced the prestige of the Valois dynasty until his death in 1384.

Born in 1371, Frederick I gained the Margraviate of Brandenburg in 1415 through the support of Emperor Sigismund. As Elector, he strengthened territorial administration and reformed the judicial system. He invited merchants and artisans to improve the economy and issued laws that promoted trade. Frederick secured dynastic alliances through marriage, bolstering the Hohenzollern position within the Holy Roman Empire. His leadership marked the rise of Brandenburg as a major principality until his death in 1440.

Born into a distinguished Venetian patrician family, Barbarigo held various civic offices before his election as Doge. During his 15-year reign, he oversaw notable architectural projects, including expansions to the Doge’s Palace and fortifications along the lagoon. He maintained Venice’s fragile balance of power amid rivalries with the Ottoman Empire and the Italian states. A patron of the arts, he supported musicians, painters, and scholars, contributing to the city’s Renaissance golden age. His tenure strengthened Venice’s maritime dominance and civic institutions. He died in 1501, remembered as a leader who combined political acumen with cultural patronage.

Born in 1457 to Elizabeth Woodville and her first husband, Thomas Grey rose to prominence after his mother’s marriage to Edward IV. In 1475, he was elevated to Marquess of Dorset, reflecting his family’s growing influence. He served in various military and diplomatic roles under the Yorkist regime. Following the king’s death, Grey navigated the turbulent transition to Tudor rule, even participating in the 1497 Cornish rebellion. Although pardoned by Henry VII, he remained a figure of interest at court. He died in 1501, his life emblematic of the shifting alliances and fortunes of England’s noble houses.

A member of the Serbian nobility, Bakić served as a commander under King Louis II of Hungary before being named Despot of Serbia in 1537. He led a coalition of Serbian and Hungarian forces in a last-ditch effort to resist Ottoman expansion. Despite initial successes, his army was overwhelmed and Bakić was killed in battle later that year. His death symbolized the end of the medieval Serbian Despotate and the absorption of Serbian lands into the Ottoman Empire. Remembered for his courage and leadership, Bakić’s stand became emblematic of the struggle for national survival.

Born in 1561 to a prominent Catholic family, Babington served briefly at Elizabeth I’s court before embracing his faith in opposition to Protestant rule. In 1586, he organized a high-stakes conspiracy to liberate Mary, Queen of Scots, and place her on the English throne. His secret correspondence with Catholic exiles was intercepted by Sir Francis Walsingham’s spy network. Arrested and tried for treason, Babington was executed in September 1586. The plot’s collapse led directly to Mary Stuart’s execution and intensified the persecution of Catholics in England. Babington’s name remains synonymous with Elizabethan espionage and political intrigue.

Lucius Cary, 2nd Viscount Falkland, was an English soldier and politician during the reign of Charles I. He held the office of Secretary of State and was known for his moderation amid rising tensions that led to civil war. Educated at Oxford, Falkland engaged in philosophical writing and was respected for his counsel to the king. He joined the royalist forces in the English Civil War and was mortally wounded at the Battle of Newbury in 1643. Falkland's legacy includes his epistolary and treatise writings, reflecting his thoughtful approach to politics and faith.

Kim Seok-ju was a prominent scholar and government minister in Korea's Joseon Dynasty. He passed the highest civil service examination and served in key administrative posts, advising the king on state affairs. A devoted Neo-Confucian, he wrote extensively on ethics, governance, and Korean history. Kim played a role in diplomatic correspondence and internal reforms, influencing the intellectual currents of his time. His writings and official records remain valuable sources for understanding 17th-century Joseon politics and culture.

Robert Emmet was an Irish nationalist and orator inspired by the ideals of the American and French Revolutions. In July 1803, he led a failed uprising in Dublin aiming to end British rule in Ireland. Emmet's eloquent speech from the dock, proclaiming dedication to Irish freedom, cemented his place in history. He was arrested, tried for high treason, and executed by hanging at the age of 26. Emmet's legacy endures in Irish folklore, poetry, and the ongoing struggle for independence.