Honório Hermeto Carneiro Leão, Marquis of Paraná (1801–56) was a politician of the Empire of Brazil, widely regarded by historians as one of the most influential statesmen of his time. He was elected in 1830 to represent Minas Gerais in the Chamber of Deputies. After Pedro I abdicated in 1831, the regency created to govern Brazil during the minority of Pedro II soon dissolved into chaos. Paraná formed a political party in 1837, and he and his party provided a stalwart defence of constitutional order. As president of Rio de Janeiro Province, he helped put down a rebellion headed by the opposition Liberal Party. In 1843, he became the de facto first president of the Council of Ministers, but resigned after a quarrel with the Emperor. After years in opposition, in 1849, Paraná was appointed as president of Pernambuco Province and then helped to forge a successful alliance in 1851 with Uruguay against the Argentine Confederation. In 1853 Paraná was again appointed president of the Council of Ministers. His electoral reforms caused severe harm to the system of parliamentary government and led to a virtual split in his party. He died unexpectedly while still in office. ( Full article...)

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January 11: Eugenio María de Hostos Day in Puerto Rico ( 1839); Proclamation of Independence in Morocco ( 1944)

• 1055 – Theodora (pictured on coin), the daughter of Constantine VIII and Helena, daughter of Alypius, became Byzantine Empress.
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