February 29

Louis-François Lejeune was a French general and artist born in 1775. He served with distinction in the Napoleonic Wars, rising to the rank of general. Alongside his military career, Lejeune excelled as a lithographer, capturing vivid battle scenes. His firsthand experience lent authenticity and detail to his artistic works. Lejeune's lithographs helped bring military events to a wider audience. He left a lasting legacy in both military history and the arts.

Yigal Allon was born in 1918 and became a founding leader of the Palmach, the elite strike force of the Haganah. He commanded key operations during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, including the capture of the Galilee. Later, Allon held ministerial posts such as Minister of Labor and Foreign Affairs and served briefly as acting Prime Minister in 1969. He proposed the Allon Plan, a strategic outline for Israel's territorial security after the Six-Day War. Allon's pragmatic approach balanced military strength with diplomatic negotiations. He played a significant role in shaping Israel's early state institutions and defense policies. Apart from politics, he supported social and educational programs for new immigrants. Allon died in 1980, remembered as one of Israel's foremost military strategists and statesmen.