October 27

Born Li Zuo in 892, he became emperor at the age of two following his father's death. His reign was dominated by powerful warlords, leaving him with little real authority. In 907, he was deposed by the warlord Zhu Wen, marking the end of the Tang dynasty. He was reduced to a duke and died the following year under house arrest. Despite his short and powerless rule, his reign signified the close of one of China's greatest dynastic ages.

Born in 921, he ascended the throne in 954 as the second emperor of the Later Zhou dynasty. He implemented significant fiscal and administrative reforms to centralize authority. A capable general, he led campaigns that consolidated northern China during the Five Dynasties period. His reign brought relative stability after years of turmoil and civil strife. He died in 959 from injuries sustained in a fall from his horse, ending a brief but impactful rule.

Born in 1156, Raymond VI ruled Toulouse from 1194 until his death in 1222. He was a notable patron of troubadours and championed the Occitan language and culture. When Pope Innocent III declared the Albigensian Crusade against Cathar heresy, Raymond faced excommunication and military campaigns against his lands. Despite attempts at negotiation, his territories were ravaged by Crusader forces from northern France. He spent his later years resisting external control and seeking to restore his domain. He died in 1222, remembered for both his cultural patronage and his role in the religious conflicts of his era.

Born Yi Seong-gye in 1335, he rose to prominence as a Goryeo general renowned for his victories against invaders. In 1392, he overthrew the Goryeo dynasty and established Joseon, taking the temple name King Taejo. He implemented land and administration reforms, promoted Neo-Confucianism, and relocated the capital to Hanyang (modern-day Seoul). His reign laid the foundations for over five centuries of Joseon rule. He abdicated in 1398 but remained an influential figure until his death in 1408. His legacy endures as a transformative leader in Korean history.

Born in 1401 to King Charles VI of France, Catherine married Henry V under the Treaty of Troyes, symbolizing a temporary Anglo-French alliance. As queen consort, she bore the future Henry VI before being widowed in 1422 at the age of 21. She later entered a secret marriage with Welsh courtier Owen Tudor, a union that gave rise to the Tudor dynasty. Her life spanned the tumultuous period of the Hundred Years' War, marking her as a key figure in both French and English royal politics. She died in 1437, leaving behind a legacy intertwined with dynastic transformations in England. Her descendants would shape the course of British history in the centuries to follow.

Born in 1561 as the sister of poet Sir Philip Sidney, Mary Sidney gained acclaim for her translations of classical texts, including the Psalms. After her husband's death in 1586, she managed the Wilton estate and transformed it into a prominent literary salon. She composed original poetry, plays, and masques, earning respect throughout Europe. Her patronage supported poets and scholars, fostering artistic and intellectual exchange. Known as a learned and influential figure, she corresponded with leading writers of her time. She continued her literary work until her death in 1621, leaving a lasting impact on English Renaissance literature.

Born in 1572 to King Henry III and Queen Louise of Lorraine, Marie Elisabeth was the royal couple's first child. Her birth represented hope for the Valois dynasty amid the conflicts of the French Wars of Religion. She lived through a period marked by political and sectarian tension but died in 1578 at just six years old. Her early death was mourned by the court and underscored the fragility of royal succession. Though her life was brief, her memory remained part of the turbulent narrative of late 16th-century France.

Born in 1615 as a younger son of John George I, Elector of Saxony, Christian inherited the newly created duchy of Saxe-Merseburg in 1657. He founded his ducal court at Merseburg and oversaw the construction of buildings such as Moritzburg Palace. His reign focused on economic recovery and administrative reform in the aftermath of the Thirty Years' War. He maintained alliances with other Saxon branches and the imperial court, balancing regional autonomy with broader political dynamics. He married Christiana of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg, fathering a large family that continued the ducal line. He died in 1691, leaving a stable foundation for his successors.

Born in 1661, Apraksin began his career in the Preobrazhensky regiment and became a trusted advisor to Peter the Great. He commanded naval forces during the Azov campaigns, capturing the fortress of Azov in 1696. As admiral-in-chief, he organized shipbuilding programs and developed the administrative structures of the Russian navy. He played a key role in the Great Northern War, securing victories against Sweden and expanding Russia's access to the Baltic Sea. Later, he served as Governor-General of St. Petersburg, overseeing the growth of the nascent capital. He died in 1728, remembered as a foundational figure in Russia's emergence as a maritime empire.

Born in 1703, Graun studied violin and composition under prominent masters before entering service at the Prussian court. He became Konzertmeister and chamber composer to Frederick the Great, producing numerous concertos, sonatas, and sinfonias. His music combines Baroque expressiveness with early Classical clarity, influencing the empfindsamer Stil. He collaborated with his brother Carl Heinrich Graun and performed throughout Europe, gaining renown as a virtuoso violinist. His surviving works display innovative structures and melodic charm, bridging Baroque and Classical styles. He died in 1771, leaving an important oeuvre that contributed to the evolution of Western art music.

Mary Moser (1744–1819) was a pioneering English painter and one of the first female members of the Royal Academy of Arts. She specialized in floral still lifes and portraiture, showcasing remarkable technical skill and sensitivity. In 1768, Moser became one of only two women admitted as founding members of the Academy. She exhibited her work regularly and taught drawing to students and members of the royal family. Her career challenged the gender norms of 18th-century Britain, leaving a lasting legacy for women artists. Her works are held in collections including the National Portrait Gallery and Yale Center for British Art.

August Neidhardt von Gneisenau (1760–1831) was a Prussian field marshal instrumental in reforming the kingdom's military. He served alongside Gerhard von Scharnhorst in the aftermath of the Battle of Jena–Auerstedt. Gneisenau implemented training and organizational reforms that strengthened the Prussian army for the Wars of Liberation. He led forces in several coalition campaigns against Napoleonic France, earning distinction for strategic insight. His efforts laid the foundation for the modern Prussian military system and influenced European warfare. In retirement, he was honored for his lifelong service to Prussia.