November 20

Maximinus II, also known as Maximinus Daza, was born around 270 and became Caesar under Emperor Galerius. He was elevated to Augustus in 310 and ruled the eastern provinces of the Roman Empire until 313. His reign was marked by continued persecution of Christians following earlier policies. He engaged in a power struggle against Licinius which culminated in his defeat at the Battle of Tzirallum. After his loss, he fled and died of illness in 313.

Emperor Taizong of Song, born Zhao Jiong in 939, was the second ruler of the Song dynasty, reigning from 976 to 997. He succeeded his brother, Emperor Taizu, and focused on stabilizing the newly founded dynasty. He implemented military reforms to defend against northern invaders and strengthened central authority. Under his rule, literature and arts thrived, earning his era acclaim as a golden age. Known for his effective governance and patronage of scholars, he left a legacy of administrative efficiency and cultural prosperity.

Ernst Ludwig was born in 1545 into the ruling House of Griffins and became Duke of Pomerania in 1569. He governed the duchy through a period marked by the Reformation's aftermath and European power rivalries. He managed to retain ducal authority and promote economic stability in his territories. He supported Protestantism while maintaining diplomatic relations with neighboring principalities. His reign ended with his death in 1592, leaving a strengthened ducal succession.

Otto von Guericke was born in 1602 in Magdeburg and became a prominent physicist and engineer. His groundbreaking work on air pressure led him to invent the vacuum pump and demonstrate the power of vacuums in the famous Magdeburg hemispheres experiment. Beyond science, he served as the mayor of Magdeburg and navigated the city through the Thirty Years' War. His publications on pneumatics influenced generations of scientists in Europe. Von Guericke's combination of practical experimentation and civic leadership left a lasting impact on both science and public life.

Fasilides, born in 1603, ascended to the Ethiopian throne in 1632 after a civil war. He relocated the capital to Gondar, establishing it as a political and religious center that endured for centuries. Fasilides expelled Jesuit missionaries and reinstated the Ethiopian Orthodox Church as the state religion. He fortified diplomatic ties with the Ottoman Empire and Europe to safeguard his kingdom. Under his rule, architecture and education flourished, leaving a cultural legacy that shaped Ethiopian history until his death in 1667.

Avvakum Petrov was born in 1620 and became a leading defender of traditional Russian Orthodox practices. He vehemently opposed Patriarch Nikon's reforms, which aimed to align Russian rituals with Greek usage, sparking the Raskol schism in 1650s Russia. Avvakum's passionate sermons and writings galvanized the Old Believers, leading to his persecution and exile. He documented his experiences in one of the first autobiographies in Russian literature. Canonized as a saint by the Old Believers, his legacy endures in Russian religious history after his martyrdom in 1682.

Paulus Potter was born in 1625 in Enkhuizen, Netherlands, and became one of the most celebrated animal painters of the Dutch Golden Age. His works, like 'The Bull', showcased his skill in portraying livestock with remarkable realism and emotional depth. Potter often set his subjects against idyllic rural landscapes, emphasizing harmony between animals and nature. His innovative focus on animal scenes elevated a genre previously considered secondary. Although he died young at 29, his influence persisted through pupils and later landscape artists.

Ernest Augustus was born in 1629 into the ruling Welf dynasty and became Duke of Brunswick-Luneburg in 1679. He prioritized territorial consolidation and modernized his army, contributing to the political stability of his lands. As Prince-elector of the Holy Roman Empire from 1692, he gained significant influence among German princes. His marriage to Sophia of the Palatinate laid the groundwork for the Hanoverian succession in Britain. Ernest Augustus's dynastic policies and administrative reforms shaped the future of both his duchy and European politics.

Daniel Ernst Jablonski, born in 1660, was a key figure in the Protestant Church, known for his ecumenical efforts. He served as a professor and later as general superintendent in Brandenburg, promoting theological education. Jablonski authored influential works on Protestant doctrine and sought to reconcile Lutheran and Reformed traditions. He played a crucial role in inviting Huguenot refugees to Prussia, aiding the consolidation of religious communities. His advocacy for unity and tolerance left a lasting mark on European Protestantism until his death in 1741.

Gyeongjong of Joseon was born in 1688 and ascended the throne in 1720 following the death of his father, King Sukjong. His reign was dogged by severe health issues, limiting his ability to govern. The royal court became embroiled in intense factional disputes between the Noron and Soron parties. Despite his brief rule, he attempted to restore stability by balancing competing factions. Gyeongjong died in 1724 without an heir, passing the throne to his half-brother, Crown Prince Yeongjo, who ushered in a long and prosperous reign.

Pierre Charles Le Monnier was a prominent French astronomer in the 18th century. He made detailed observations of the moons of Jupiter and the phases of Venus. Le Monnier contributed to the creation of early star catalogs and refined astronomical tables. He conducted geodetic measurements and participated in the meridian measurement of France. Appointed as an astronomy professor at the Collège Royal, he influenced a generation of astronomers. His work laid foundations for more accurate celestial navigation and astronomical mapping. Le Monnier also published papers on comets and the equation of the sun's center.

George Konissky served as an Orthodox archbishop celebrated for his eloquent preaching. He authored numerous theological treatises exploring Christian ethics and moral philosophy. Konissky's sermons blended spiritual guidance with rational discourse, appealing to both clergy and laity. He played a key role in the intellectual life of the Orthodox Church in the 18th century. His philosophical writings addressed themes of virtue, free will, and the human soul. Konissky's influence persisted through his students, who carried his ideas into Eastern European academies. He remains remembered for bridging ecclesiastical traditions with Enlightenment thought.