Lentorama 2007: The Non-Canonized Catholic Person of the Day

Staying with the world leaders, today we look at Benito Juarez, who was born on this day in 1806. The only indigenous person to serve as president of Mexico (he was Zatopec), he is widely recognized for his role in La Reforma, the liberalization of Mexican government and move towards a more capitalistic economy. He also served as president during the French intervention that saw the breif reign of Emperor Maximillian, and was (not surprisingly, as president) deeply involved in defeating Maximillian's forces.

Part of the liberalization involved ending the hold that two groups specifically held in influencing previous governments - the military and the church. And to think we were happy to have them stop saying the Mass in Latin.

Plenty of people to choose from today - Charles Martel defeated Ragenfrid at the Battle of Vincy, Henry V took the throne of England, Pius VII became Pope and had to be crowned with a tiara made of papier-mache because the French had taken the real one. Lots of good stories, and it was hard to pass up The Hammer or getting to quote the St. Crispin's Day speech from Henry V, I will say.