November 11

Yazid I was born in 647 as the son of the first Umayyad caliph, Muawiyah I. He succeeded his father in 680 and became the second caliph of the Umayyad dynasty. His reign saw significant internal conflicts, including the tragic Battle of Karbala in 680. These events deepened divisions within the early Muslim community. Yazid I died in 683 and was succeeded by his son, Muawiyah II.

Teutberga’s exact birth date is uncertain, but she became queen consort of Lotharingia through her marriage to Lothar II. Her marriage was later embroiled in controversy when Lothar sought to divorce her to marry his mistress. The ensuing dispute involved both secular and ecclesiastical authorities, highlighting tensions over marriage laws. Teutberga successfully appealed to the Pope, and her case set precedents for church involvement in royal marriages. She died in 875, remembered as a steadfast queen who defended her position and royal dignity.

Born in 960, Constantine VIII was crowned co-emperor alongside his brother Basil II in infancy. He spent decades as a junior partner until he became sole emperor at age 65 in 1025. His brief three-year reign was largely peaceful but criticized for administrative neglect. He struggled to secure a male heir and relied on alliances through his daughters. He died in 1028, marking the end of his dynasty’s male line and paving the way for new rulers.

Born around 1080, Teresa was the illegitimate daughter of King Alfonso VI of León. She married Henry of Burgundy and became Countess of Portugal by marriage. After her husband’s death in 1112, Teresa ruled the county as regent for their young son, Afonso Henriques. Her governance laid the foundations for Portugal’s eventual independence from León. She died in 1130, remembered for her political acumen and role in Portugal’s early history.

William II was born in 1153 and ascended to the Sicilian throne in 1166 at age 13. His reign was marked by internal peace, economic prosperity, and religious tolerance. He patronized the arts and oversaw construction projects, including the Cathedral of Monreale. William earned the epithet "the Good" for his fair administration and protection of minorities. He died childless in 1189, and his death led to a succession crisis in the Kingdom of Sicily.

Peter III of Aragon, also known as Peter the Great, ruled as King of Aragon from 1276 until his death in 1285. He was born in 1239 to James I of Aragon and Eleanor of Castile. Early in his reign, he forged strong alliances with the Papacy and other European powers to secure his position. Peter led a successful military campaign in Sicily, which expanded his realm and influence across the Mediterranean. He reorganized the royal administration and promoted trade, contributing to the prosperity of his territories. His patronage of Catalan culture helped the region flourish artistically and intellectually. Peter died in 1285, leaving a legacy as a determined warrior king who reshaped medieval politics in southern Europe.

Born around 1285, Stefan Uroš III inherited the Serbian throne in 1321 after years of exile. He reformed the legal code to strengthen royal authority and improve justice. Stefan led Serbian forces to a decisive victory at the Battle of Velbazhd in 1330, which enhanced Serbia's standing in the Balkans. His reign saw the expansion of Serbian influence and increased prosperity through trade. He maintained close relations with the Orthodox Church, supporting the construction of monasteries and churches. Stefan’s rule laid the groundwork for the eventual rise of the Serbian empire under his successors. He died in 1331 under mysterious circumstances, leaving behind a more unified and powerful Serbia.

Gerald FitzGerald succeeded as the 14th Earl of Desmond in 1565 and became a prominent force in Munster. He opposed the Tudor conquest of Ireland and led a series of rebellions against English authorities. Using guerrilla tactics and leveraging local support, he resisted the imposition of English law and customs. FitzGerald joined forces with other Irish chieftains and foreign allies in an attempt to secure Irish independence. His resistance culminated in the Desmond Rebellions, marked by brutal campaigns on both sides. Despite initial successes, he was ultimately betrayed, captured, and executed in 1583. His defiance made him a symbol of Irish resistance and inspired future generations in their struggle for autonomy.

Nathaniel 'Nat' Turner was born into slavery in Southampton County, Virginia, in 1800 and became a preacher among his fellow enslaved people. He claimed to have visions from God that inspired him to plan an uprising against slavery. In August 1831, Turner led a small group of rebels in a violent revolt that resulted in the deaths of approximately sixty white residents. The rebellion was suppressed within days, leading to a harsh crackdown on enslaved and free African Americans. Turner escaped capture for several weeks before being apprehended, tried, and executed by hanging. His 1831 revolt became a symbol of resistance and fueled national debates on slavery. Nat Turner's rebellion had a lasting impact on American history, influencing abolitionist movements and slave laws.

Born in Lisbon in 1837, he succeeded to the throne at age 16. He implemented public health and infrastructure improvements, including railway expansion and telegraph lines. Pedro V advocated for educational reforms and the establishment of cultural institutions. He supported scientific research during multiple cholera outbreaks. His reign ushered in democratic change and progress in Portugal. He died prematurely of cholera in 1861, leaving a legacy of modernization.

James Madison Porter was born in Pennsylvania in 1793 and studied law at Dickinson College. He served in the Pennsylvania legislature and practiced law before co-founding Lafayette College in 1826. Under President John Tyler, he was appointed the 18th United States Secretary of War from 1843 to 1844. He oversaw frontier defense and military affairs during a period of national expansion. Porter championed internal improvements and the advancement of public education. After leaving public office, he returned to legal practice and education until his death in 1862.

Born in 1838, Liliuokalani ascended to the Hawaiian throne in 1891 as the kingdom's first and only queen. She sought to restore political power to native Hawaiians and strengthen the monarchy against foreign influence. In 1893, her government was overthrown by a group of American and European residents, leading to the annexation of Hawaii by the United States. Even after her deposition, she remained a respected figure and continued writing songs and memoirs. Liliuokalani's legacy endures in Hawaiian culture and music, especially through her composition 'Aloha ʻOe'. She died in 1917, remembered as a symbol of Hawaiian sovereignty.