November 22

Born in 926 as the son of Hugh of Provence and Alda of Lorraine. He became King of Italy in 947 and was crowned by Pope Agapetus II. His reign was marked by conflicts with local nobles and struggles to maintain royal authority. Lothair's rule ended with his sudden death in 950 under mysterious circumstances. He was succeeded by Berengar II, leading to further fragmentation of Italy.

As-Salih Ayyub was the son of Sultan Al-Kamil who became ruler of Egypt in 1240. He navigated the complex politics of the Ayyubid territories and faced the emerging Crusader threat. He strengthened the administrative structures of Egypt and supported cultural patronage. His reign witnessed tensions with Crusader states and internal family rivalries over succession. He died in 1249, leaving Egypt to his successors and shaping the medieval history of the region.

Born in 1249 as the son of King Christopher I and Margaret Sambiria. Eric ascended the throne as a minor and initially ruled under the regency of his mother. He earned the nickname 'Klipping' (meaning coin edge) possibly referring to clipped currency. His reign was challenged by powerful noble factions and internal unrest. Eric V's rule ended when he was murdered in 1286, a crime that remains unsolved.

Born in 1271, Mikhail inherited the principality of Tver and sought supremacy over the lands of Rus. He engaged in a fierce rivalry with Yaroslav of Moscow for the title of Grand Prince. In an attempt to outmaneuver his rival, he traveled to the Golden Horde's court in Sarai. Accused of treason by his enemies, he was executed by the Mongol khan in 1318. Mikhail became a martyr-like figure in Tver's regional history.

Born in 1590, Ahmed I ascended the throne following the death of his father, Mehmed III. He brought an end to the long war with the Habsburgs and negotiated peace with the Safavids. Ahmed commissioned the construction of the famous Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque) in Istanbul. His reign is noted for attempts at administrative reform and stabilization of the empire. He died in 1617, leaving behind a legacy of cultural and architectural achievements.

Richard Edgcumbe, 1st Baron Edgcumbe, was born in 1680 to a prominent Cornish family. He entered public service and was elevated to the peerage in 1742. As Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, he acted as the Crown's chief representative in the county, overseeing local militias and administrative affairs. A skilled politician, he balanced local interests with national policies during the reigns of George I and George II. He managed extensive estates at Mount Edgcumbe, developing the gardens that remain to this day. Known for his diplomatic skills and commitment to regional development, he fostered trade and infrastructure improvements in Cornwall. His legacy endures in the landmarks and institutions he supported, reflecting his role in shaping 18th century British governance.

Robert Clive, known as Clive of India, was born in 1725 in Shropshire, England. Beginning his career with the East India Company as a clerk, he quickly rose through the ranks due to his military prowess. He led Company forces to victory at the Battle of Plassey in 1757, laying the foundations for British rule in Bengal and beyond. Appointed the first British governor of Bengal in 1765, he reorganized administration and finances to strengthen Company control. His tenure saw dramatic expansion of British influence, though it was marred by accusations of corruption and private gain. Clive faced a parliamentary inquiry upon his return to England, ultimately retaining his reputation but showing signs of strain. Despite his achievements, his final years were troubled by ill health and political attacks. He died on November 22, 1774, leaving a complex legacy as both a founding figure of the British Raj and a controversial imperialist.

Oscar James Dunn was born in New Orleans in 1826 to free people of color and became a successful caulker before entering politics. A dedicated activist, he emerged as a leader within Louisiana's Republican Party during the Reconstruction era. In 1868, he was elected Lieutenant Governor, becoming the first African American in U.S. history to hold that office. Dunn worked tirelessly to promote civil rights, education, and economic opportunity for freedmen across Louisiana. He championed public schooling and land ownership initiatives aimed at empowering former slaves. Despite facing intense opposition and racial violence, he maintained his commitment to justice and equality. His sudden death in 1871 sparked widespread mourning and underscored the fragility of progress in the post-Civil War South. Dunn's career remains a testament to the resilience and aspirations of America's newly emancipated citizens.

Henry Wilson, born Jeremiah Jones Colbath in 1812 in Massachusetts, changed his name as he pursued a career in public service. Rising from humble beginnings as a shoemaker, he became a prominent abolitionist and voice against slavery in Congress. Wilson served multiple terms as a U.S. Senator, where he fought for the rights of freedmen and supported the passage of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments. In 1872, he was elected Vice President under President Ulysses S. Grant, making him the nation's 18th vice president. Known for his fiery speeches and uncompromising stance on civil rights, he sought to enforce Reconstruction policies in the South. Health issues plagued his vice presidency, and he died in office in 1875. Wilson's legacy lives on through his legislation that helped redefine American citizenship and equality. His commitment to justice cemented his place among the key political figures of the Reconstruction era.

Born in 1837, Tokugawa Yoshinobu became the fifteenth shōgun of the Tokugawa shogunate in 1866. Faced with internal unrest and external pressure, he implemented reforms to modernize Japan. In 1867, he abdicated power to Emperor Meiji, effectively dissolving the shogunate and ushering in the Meiji Restoration. His leadership marked the transition from centuries of feudal governance to a centralized, modern state. After stepping down, he lived quietly until his death in 1913, witnessing the rapid transformation of the nation he helped initiate.

Otto Georg Thierack was born in 1889 in Wurzen, Germany and pursued a legal career that led to his appointment as Reich Minister of Justice from 1942 to 1945. A staunch Nazi, he orchestrated the alignment of the judiciary with the totalitarian state, expediting executions and stripping civil rights from targeted groups. Thierack’s policies facilitated the persecution of political dissidents, Jews, and other victims of the regime’s oppression. Following Germany’s defeat, he was arrested by Allied forces but took his own life in 1946 before facing trial. His tenure remains a grim example of the legal profession’s role in enabling state-sanctioned atrocities.

Born in 1917 in Brookline, Massachusetts, John F. Kennedy rose through political ranks as a Congressman and Senator before winning the presidency in 1960. As the youngest elected U.S. president, he navigated Cold War tensions, most notably during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. Kennedy championed civil rights, establishing the Peace Corps and promoting space exploration with the goal of landing a man on the Moon. His charismatic leadership and stirring rhetoric, epitomized in his inaugural address 'Ask not...', left a lasting impact. He married Jacqueline Bouvier and was father to Caroline and John Jr. His presidency was tragically cut short by assassination in Dallas on November 22, 1963.