January 21

Born in 1598 into the Matsudaira clan, Tadamasa became the daimyō of Fukui Domain under the Tokugawa shogunate. He was recognized for his loyalty to Tokugawa Ieyasu and for administering his domain with efficiency. Under his rule, Fukui prospered through agricultural reforms and improved castle defenses. Tadamasa supported local temples and the development of cultural activities. His tenure reflected the stability and rigid social order of the early Edo era. He died in 1645, leaving a legacy of governance that sustained his domain through subsequent generations.

Antonio María de Bucareli y Ursúa rose through the ranks of the Spanish Army during the 18th century and was appointed Governor of Cuba, where he oversaw the modernization of Havana's defenses and public works projects. He strengthened the island's fortifications, improved its administration, and promoted economic development. His tenure was noted for enlightened reforms that aimed to enhance colonial governance and public welfare. As a career officer, he balanced military command with diplomatic duties, earning respect at the Spanish court. His leadership in Cuba laid the groundwork for subsequent advancements in the colony's infrastructure and defense.

James Murray was a Scottish-English military officer who achieved distinction in the British Army during the mid-18th century. He was appointed Governor of Minorca after its capture by Britain, where he managed colonial affairs and defenses on the strategic Mediterranean island. Upon returning to Britain, he entered politics and served as a Member of Parliament, engaging in debates on military and colonial policy. His career bridged both military command and civil governance, exemplifying the close ties between armed service and political life in the Georgian era. Murray's administrative experience in Minorca influenced later military reforms in Britain.

Ethan Allen was a farmer-turned-soldier who became a celebrated figure in the American Revolution as the leader of the Green Mountain Boys. He led the bold capture of Fort Ticonderoga alongside Benedict Arnold in 1775, securing valuable artillery for the Continental Army. Allen advocated for the independence of the Vermont territory and served in its early government as well as in the Continental Congress. Captured by the British later in the war, he endured imprisonment before being exchanged and returning to American public life. An early proponent of American education, he also wrote on philosophy and theology. His legacy endures in Vermont, which honors him as a founding father.

William Henry Smyth had a distinguished career in the Royal Navy, serving during the Napoleonic Wars and commanding vessels in the Mediterranean. He conducted extensive hydrographic surveys, producing charts that improved naval navigation and safety. Smyth was also a founding member of the Royal Astronomical Society and made significant observations of double stars and nebulae, publishing his Catalog of 1300 Multiple and Double Stars. An avid numismatist, he compiled collections of ancient and medieval coins and contributed to early studies in the field. His multidisciplinary achievements earned him recognition in both maritime and scientific communities.

Born in Mézières, France, in 1810, de Failly began his military career in Algeria before distinguishing himself in the Crimean War. Promoted to general, he commanded the II Corps during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870. His cautious tactics at the battles of Mars-la-Tour and Gravelotte drew criticism for missed opportunities against the Prussian forces. After France’s defeat, he faced scrutiny but continued to be honored for earlier service. De Failly’s career reflects both the challenges and complexities of French military command during a transformative era.

Born in 1813 in Savannah, Georgia, Frémont graduated from the U.S. Military Academy and joined the Corps of Topographical Engineers. He led multiple expeditions mapping the American West, earning fame for his reports and maps that encouraged westward expansion. Frémont’s military service during the Mexican-American War and brief governance of California solidified his national profile. As the first Republican presidential candidate in 1856, he campaigned on an anti-slavery platform, gaining significant support. Later in life, he served as the territorial governor of Arizona and continued advocating for development before his death in 1890.

Born Thomas Jonathan Jackson in 1824, he earned the nickname 'Stonewall' at the First Battle of Bull Run for his steadfast defense. Jackson became one of General Robert E. Lee’s most trusted commanders, leading swift and decisive campaigns in the Shenandoah Valley. His innovative tactics and rapid movements disrupted Union forces and earned high praise from his peers. Jackson’s military career was cut short when he was accidentally wounded by his own men at Chancellorsville in 1863, leading to his death shortly after. He remains one of the most studied and admired figures in American military history.

Born in Paris in 1848, Henri Duparc began his career as an army officer before dedicating himself to music. He studied composition under César Franck and quickly earned praise for his harmonic inventiveness. Duparc composed seventeen mélodies, praised for their rich textures and deep emotional resonance. Influenced by Wagner and Berlioz, his songs blended Germanic depth with French clarity. Health issues forced Duparc to stop composing in 1885, yet his existing works became staples of the vocal repertoire. He died in 1933, celebrated as one of the great masters of French art song.

Born on January 21, 1867 in Brussels, Maxime Weygand was unofficially adopted and raised in France. He rose through military ranks to become Chief of Staff to Marshal Foch during World War I, contributing to the Allied victory. In the interwar years, he served in senior commands in Syria and Morocco, shaping French colonial policy. Called out of retirement in 1940, Weygand was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the French Army during the Battle of France. His leadership during France’s collapse remains a subject of debate, and he spent the later war years under house arrest before dying in 1965.

Albert Battel was born in Upper Silesia in 1891 and studied law before joining the German Army as a reserve lieutenant. Stationed in Przemyśl during World War II, he defied orders by blocking a Gestapo convoy and sheltering hundreds of Jews from deportation to death camps. His actions led to his dismissal from the Wehrmacht and postwar censorship of his story in Germany. After the war, he resumed his legal career and testified against war criminals before dying in 1952. In 1981, Israel recognized him among the Righteous Among the Nations for his humanitarian courage.

Born in 1918 in Pennsylvania, Richard Winters graduated from the University of Pennsylvania before enlisting in the U.S. Army. As a lieutenant in Easy Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, he led his men during the D-Day landings in Normandy. Winters demonstrated exceptional leadership during Operation Market Garden and the Battle of the Bulge. For his courage and tactical skill, he received multiple decorations, including the Distinguished Service Cross. After the war, he pursued a civilian career, writing memoirs to honor his comrades and sharing his experiences with future generations.