September 22

Born in 1013 as a daughter of Duke Mieszko II Lambert of Poland, Richeza married King Béla I of Hungary in 1050. As Queen consort, she supported her husband’s reign and later played a crucial role in her sons’ bids for the Hungarian throne. After Béla’s death in 1063, she returned to Poland, where she continued to influence dynastic politics. Known for her piety, she founded and patronized churches and monasteries across Central Europe. Richeza died in 1075 and was later venerated for her charitable works and royal lineage.

Born in 1373, Thomas le Despenser inherited vast lands and titles as a member of the Despenser family. Created Earl of Gloucester in 1397 by King Richard II, he initially enjoyed royal favor. Following Richard’s deposition, he joined a conspiracy known as the Epiphany Rising aimed at restoring Richard to the throne. The failed rebellion led to his capture and execution for treason in January 1400. His brief rise and fall illustrate the turbulence of English politics at the turn of the 15th century.

Born in 1515 to the ducal house of Cleves in present-day Germany, Anne married Henry VIII in January 1540 as part of a political alliance. Despite meeting with the King shortly before the wedding, Henry famously claimed he found her unattractive, leading to the annulment of their union in July 1540. Anne retained her title as Queen and was granted a generous settlement, living comfortably in England thereafter. She cultivated friendships with Henry’s children and maintained a respected position at court. Anne died in 1557, remembered for her dignified response to one of history’s most infamous royal divorces.

Born in 1601 as a Spanish Infanta, Anne married King Louis XIII of France in 1615 to seal a Franco-Spanish alliance. After Louis XIII’s death in 1643, she governed France as regent for her five-year-old son, the future Louis XIV. Her regency navigated the turmoil of the Fronde civil wars and maintained royal authority. Known for her political acumen, she relied on Cardinal Mazarin as her chief minister. Anne’s patronage of the arts aided the development of French classical culture. She died in 1666, having shaped the early years of the Sun King’s reign.

Born in 1606 in Shaanxi province, Li Zicheng rose from peasant origins to lead a massive uprising against the corrupt Ming government. His forces captured Beijing in April 1644, prompting the last Ming emperor to commit suicide. Li proclaimed the Shun dynasty and took the title of Emperor, but his rule was undermined by internal strife and the advance of Qing Manchu armies. Defeated shortly after in September 1644, he fled and died under uncertain circumstances in 1645. His rebellion marked a pivotal transition between the Ming and Qing dynasties in Chinese history.

Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield (1694–1773), was an influential English statesman and diplomat. He served as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland from 1745 to 1746, playing a key role in Anglo-Irish governance. A man of refined taste and wit, he emphasized etiquette and education in both public and private life. His posthumously published "Letters to His Son" offered timeless advice on manners, politics, and personal conduct. Stanhope's literary style and political acumen earned him admiration across Europe. He left a lasting imprint on 18th-century society through both his administrative reforms and his celebrated writings.

Born Nguyễn Phúc Hồng Nhậm in 1829, he ascended the throne at age 19. Patron of literature and Confucian scholarship, he composed poetry and calligraphy. His reign faced increasing pressure from French colonial forces. He signed several unequal treaties ceding Vietnamese territories and sovereignty. He attempted administrative reforms to strengthen the monarchy. Despite resistance efforts, Vietnam became a French protectorate in 1883. He died that year, leaving a legacy of cultural achievement and tragic decline.

Born in 1862, Charalambis graduated from the Hellenic Military Academy. He served as a lieutenant in the Greek army during conflicts such as the Greco-Turkish War. In 1922, amid political upheaval following military defeat, he became interim Prime Minister. His short tenure oversaw initial efforts to stabilize the government and address army mutinies. Although his time in office lasted only days, he played a role in the 1922 Revolution. After politics, he returned to military service and contributed to defense reforms. He died in 1949, remembered for his dual roles in the army and government.

Born in 1868 in Moore Township, Canada West, she trained as a teacher before marriage. McKinney and Nellie McClung led the "Famous Five" campaign for women's suffrage in Canada. In 1917, she became one of the first two women elected to Alberta's Legislative Assembly and the British Empire. She championed temperance, education reform, and nurses' welfare during her tenure. After politics, she continued teaching and worked with social organizations promoting women's rights. Her advocacy contributed to the Persons Case, establishing women as "persons" under Canadian law. She died in 1931, celebrated as a trailblazer for women's political participation.

Born in 1876 in Bordeaux, France, Tardieu began his career as a journalist and essayist. He was editor of influential newspapers and advocated for moderate republican policies. Elected to the Chamber of Deputies in 1910, he championed economic modernization. Tardieu served three times as Prime Minister between 1929 and 1932 during the Great Depression. He implemented fiscal reforms and infrastructure projects to stabilize the economy. After leaving office, he continued writing on international relations and European unity. He died in 1945, remembered as a thoughtful statesman who bridged media and politics.

Born in 1878 in Tokyo, Shigeru Yoshida embarked on a diplomatic career that shaped modern Japan. He served as Japan's ambassador to the United Kingdom before and after World War II. As the 51st Prime Minister from 1946 to 1954, he spearheaded national rebuilding and economic recovery. He negotiated the San Francisco Peace Treaty, ending Allied occupation and restoring Japan's sovereignty. Yoshida's foreign policy, known as the Yoshida Doctrine, established the US-Japan Security Alliance. He is remembered for prioritizing economic growth and laying the foundations of Japan's post-war prosperity.

Ben Chifley was born in 1885 in Bathurst, New South Wales, and worked as a railway engine driver before entering politics. He rose through the Australian Labor Party to become Treasurer in 1941 and then Prime Minister in 1945 following John Curtin's death. Chifley led post-war reconstruction efforts, establishing the Commonwealth Bank and expanding the national welfare system. He championed infrastructure projects including the Snowy Mountains Scheme to boost the economy and create jobs. His attempt to nationalize private banks sparked intense debate over government power. Defeated in 1949, Chifley remained a respected opposition leader until his death in 1951. He is remembered for his vision of a fair and prosperous society.