September 25

Born in 1358, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu became the third shōgun of the Muromachi shogunate at a young age. He strengthened the authority of the bakufu and ended rivalries among regional lords. Yoshimitsu established diplomatic relations with the Ming dynasty in China. He was a patron of the arts, fostering the Higashiyama culture that influenced Noh theater, tea ceremony, and ink painting. He commissioned the construction of the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji) in Kyoto, which remains a symbol of his era. His reign marked a high point of political stability and cultural achievement in medieval Japan. Yoshimitsu abdicated in 1394 but continued to wield power as a cloistered shōgun until his death in 1408.

Born in 1403 into the influential House of Anjou, Louis III inherited the duchy at a young age. He asserted his claim to the Kingdom of Naples during the dynastic conflicts of the early 15th century. His struggle for the Neapolitan throne reflected the broader power struggles among European monarchies. Although his military campaigns had limited success, he maintained his status through alliances and marriages. Louis III was known for his patronage of the arts and chivalric culture at his court in Provence. He died childless in 1434, ending his direct line of claims to Naples but leaving a legacy of courtly refinement.

Otto II was born in 1528 into the distinguished House of Welf, one of the oldest noble families in Germany. He inherited the Duchy of Brunswick-Harburg and governed it from the mid-16th century. His rule was marked by efforts to consolidate his territories and maintain stability amid religious conflicts. Otto II supported Lutheran reforms and oversaw the implementation of Protestant church structures in his lands. He engaged in regional alliances to strengthen his duchy's position within the Holy Roman Empire. Under his leadership, Harburg became a center of modest cultural and economic growth. He died in 1603, leaving his duchy to his heirs as a stable and reformed territory.

Günther XLI was born in 1529 into the Schwarzburg noble family in Thuringia, Germany. He became Count of Schwarzburg-Arnstadt and oversaw his German territory during the Reformation era. His administration focused on local governance, economic improvement, and legal reform. He navigated the religious tensions of the time by implementing moderate Protestant policies. Günther XLI maintained relationships with neighboring states through dynastic marriages and alliances. He was a patron of regional churches and the arts, supporting architectural projects in Arnstadt. He died in 1583, remembered for strengthening his county's institutions and infrastructure.

Ferdinand Joseph was born in 1636 into the noble Dietrichstein family of Austria. He became the Prince of Dietrichstein, inheriting vast estates in Moravia. As a high-ranking noble, he held important roles at the Habsburg imperial court in Vienna. Ferdinand Joseph supported educational and religious institutions on his lands. He fostered the arts and architecture by patronizing regional churches and monasteries. His diplomatic skills helped navigate the complex politics of the Holy Roman Empire. He died in 1698, leaving his principality stable and culturally enriched.

Henry Pelham was born into an aristocratic family and entered politics as a Member of Parliament. He became Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1743 and was appointed Prime Minister later that year. His administration was noted for fiscal reforms that stabilized the national debt and strengthened the government's credit. Pelham maintained a close relationship with King George II and skillfully managed the Whig party's factions. He oversaw British military engagements overseas and supported policies of moderate patriotism. Pelham died in office in 1754, leaving a legacy of administrative competence and political moderation.

Born Hongli, he was the fourth son of the Yongzheng Emperor and ascended the throne in 1735. During his 61-year reign he oversaw the height of Qing dynasty prosperity and territorial expansion into Tibet, Xinjiang, and Mongolia. He patronized arts and scholarship, commissioning the Siku Quanshu, the largest imperial library compilation in Chinese history. Under his rule, China enjoyed relative stability, but later years saw rising corruption and fiscal strain. In 1796 he voluntarily abdicated in favor of his son to honor his grandfather's memory but remained the de facto ruler until his death. His reign is remembered for its cultural achievements, military successes, and complex legacy.

Born in New Castle, Delaware, he studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1765. He represented Delaware in the Continental Congress and played a role in the framing of the Articles of Confederation. Van Dyke was elected Governor in 1782, focusing on post-war economic recovery and legal reforms. In 1789 he became one of the first U.S. Senators, advocating for commerce and infrastructure improvements. He died in office in 1789, remembered for his contributions to Delaware's early statehood and the young republic. His career bridged the Revolutionary era and the establishment of federal government institutions.

Frederick William II was born into the Hohenzollern dynasty and succeeded his uncle Frederick the Great in 1786. He supported religious tolerance and artistic endeavours, commissioning works from prominent composers and architects. Under his reign Prussia expanded its territories through the Third Partition of Poland in 1793. He attempted legal and administrative reforms but faced challenges from conservative nobles and court factions. His rule was marked by mixed military successes and diplomatic struggles against revolutionary France. Frederick William II's cultural patronage and political decisions shaped late 18th-century Prussia's legacy.

William Mullins inherited the title of 2nd Baron Ventry after his father's death in 1814 and managed the family estates. He served as a representative peer in the Irish House of Lords and took part in local governance and charitable works. Mullins was involved in agricultural improvements and supported schools and infrastructure projects on his lands. His tenure coincided with social and political changes in Ireland following the Act of Union. Though less prominent on the national stage, he was respected for his leadership in community affairs. Mullins died in 1827, remembered as a dedicated landowner and public servant in County Kerry.

Born into the illustrious Richelieu family, he pursued a military career and fought in the French Revolutionary Wars. After a period of exile during the Revolution and Napoleonic era, he returned to France in 1814. He served briefly as Prime Minister under Louis XVIII in 1815 and again from 1818 to 1820, overseeing post-war reconstruction. Richelieu implemented economic reforms, restored royal authority, and navigated tensions between ultraroyalists and liberals. He married Lady Frances Talbot and maintained close ties with European courts while promoting French interests abroad. His balanced leadership helped stabilize France after decades of upheaval before his death in 1822.

Born into an aristocratic family, Raevsky joined the Russian army and fought under General Suvorov in the Italian and Swiss campaigns. During the Patriotic War of 1812, he commanded a division at the Battle of Borodino and other crucial engagements. Praised for his bravery and leadership, he earned promotions and the respect of Tsar Alexander I. After the wars, Raevsky served as Governor-General of multiple provinces and worked on military reforms. He married Sofia Konstantinova and his descendants became prominent in Russian military and political circles. Raevsky died in 1829, remembered as one of Russia’s greatest 19th-century military commanders.