Today in 1422, Charles VII of France was proclaimed King of France by those still loyal to him. However the succession was in question, because his father, Charles VI had promised the throne of France to the English Henry V after the Battle of Agincourt. Charles would be crowned in 1429 after the French forces successfully rallied behind the young Joan of Arc. And in 1922 today, Benito Mussolini would be appointed to the office of Prime Minister of Italy by King Victor Emmanuel III. One birthday of note, and it belongs to Marie, Queen consort of Romania in 1875. Marie was born in England to Prince Alfred, second son of Queen Victoria and his wife. She would marry the heir to the Romanian crown, Ferdinand in 1893 at age 17. Our first death today isn’t royal but is definitely noteworthy. Today in 1618, Sir Walter Raleigh was executed under order of King James I and VI. He was beheaded for his believed involvement in a plot to remove James from the English throne. Raleigh had been a favourite in the court of Elizabeth I and was famed for his exploration of the New World. And in 1950 today, King Gustav V of Sweden died at age 92 from complications from the flu after a 43 year reign. He was notable for being a devoted tennis player. He actually played tennis professionally under a psuedonym and was inducted to the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1980. Have a great day!!