February 18

Uesugi Kenshin was a powerful warlord born in 1530 in Echigo Province. Known as the 'Dragon of Echigo,' he forged a reputation for both military brilliance and chivalry. His celebrated rivalry with Takeda Shingen includes the legendary Battles of Kawanakajima. Kenshin demonstrated exceptional leadership and a deep devotion to Bishamonten, the god of war. He governed his domain with a blend of martial readiness and cultural patronage. His death in 1578 left a lasting imprint on the history of Japan's warring states.

Born into the noble Brahe family in 1602, Per Brahe the Younger distinguished himself as both a military leader and an influential statesman. He was appointed Governor-General of Finland in 1637, promoting education, commerce, and urban development. Brahe founded the Royal Academy of Turku, Finland's first university-level institution. His second term in 1654 saw further administrative reforms and infrastructure projects. Known for his enlightened governance, he balanced martial prowess with cultural patronage. He died in 1680, leaving a legacy of progressive leadership in the Swedish Empire.

Born in 1817 at Fort Monroe, Virginia, Lewis Armistead graduated from West Point and served with distinction in the Mexican-American War. At the start of the Civil War, he sided with his home state of Virginia and joined the Confederate forces. Armistead commanded a brigade in the Army of Northern Virginia and fought in major engagements like Antietam and Fredericksburg. He is best remembered for leading his men during Pickett's Charge at Gettysburg, where he briefly breached Union lines. Severely wounded in the assault, he died of his injuries days later. Armistead's courage and leadership have been studied by military historians ever since.