March 31, 1567 Death of Philip, Landgraf of Hesse, in Kassel, Germany. Philip became convinced that freedom for Protestantism could also be linked to greater independence for rulers such as he. He also realized that alliances would be needed. He formed the first alliance in 1526 with the Elector of Saxony and others followed. Philip thus … [Read more...]

March 30, 1858 Birth of Lassa Francis Lawrence Oppenheim in Windecken, Germany. Oppenheim, a jurist, immigrated to London in 1895 to teach at the London School of Economics. In 1908 he became a professor at Cambridge University. He specialized in international law. He based his concept of international law on adherence to specific agreements and … [Read more...]

March 29, 1735 Birth of Johann Karl August Musäus (1735-1787) in Jena, Germany. Musäus was a writer known for his satire and his fairy tales. His Volksmärchen der Deutschen (5 vols. 1782-86) was a vehicle for his satirical bent. March 29, 1824 Birth of Ludwig Büchner (1824-1899) in Darmstadt, Germany. Ludwig Büchner was the younger … [Read more...]

March 28, 1727 Birth of Maximilian III Joseph in Munich, Germany. Maximilian was the son of the Holy Roman emperor, Karl VII. He was the elector (Holy Roman Empire) of Bavaria. He gained his position in Bavaria by the peace of Füssen of April 22, 1745, and reigned till his death in 1777. He fostered science and industry in Bavaria. He … [Read more...]

March 27, 1178 Death of Bl. Frowin (? - 1178) Frowin has never been formally canonized but is referred to as "blessed" by the medieval chroniclers. They also state his feast day as March 7 and attribute many miracles to him. Frowin was likely born in the Black Forest of Germany. In 1146 he was made the second abbot of the Benedictine … [Read more...]

March 26, 809 Death of St. Liudger (742-809) St. Liudger was born near Utrecht (Modern Holland) in about 742. He was a missionary to the Friesians and Saxons. His vocation was occasioned by the Martyrdom of St. Boniface whose work he wished to continue. He studied under Alquin and retained a lifelong association with him. He was ordained a … [Read more...]

March 25, 1252 Birth of Konradin (Konrad der jüngere) in Wolfstein, Germany. The Swabian, Konradin, who held the title "king of the Romans" was the last of the Hohenstaufen dynasty. His downfall came in a conflict with the Frenchman, Charles of Anjou. After losing the battle and being captured, he was beheaded in the marketplace in Naples in … [Read more...]

March 24, 1494 Birth of Georgius Agricola (1494-1555) (original name, Georg Bauer) in Clauchau, Germany. Agricola was a humanist, physician and scientist who is often called "the father of mineralogy". He was one of the first to base his science on the observation of nature rather than speculation. The American president Herbert Hoover … [Read more...]

March 23, 1819 Assassination of August Kotzebue in Mannheim, Germany. Kotzebue was a dramatist who wrote over 200 plays. Among his plays are Spanier in Peru (1796), Der Wildfang (1798), and Die deutschen Kleinstädter (1803). In addition to his plays, Kotzebue was engaged in politics during his entire life which caused him much trouble. He was … [Read more...]

March 22, 1459 Birth of Maximilian I in Wiener Neustadt. Maximilian was the archduke of Austria, the German king and the Holy Roman emperor. He did much to expand and consolidate the Habsburg holdings. He nearly became Pope. The Pope Julius was very ill and a schismatic Council of Pisa offered him the position as an anti-Pope. After much … [Read more...]