March 15

Born into the patrician Julii family around 100 BC, Julius Caesar rose to prominence through his early alliances and military achievements. He led the Gallic Wars, extending Rome's territory to the Atlantic and Rhine. In 49 BC, he famously crossed the Rubicon, igniting a civil war against Pompey. Emerging victorious, he centralized power and was appointed dictator for life. Caesar enacted a series of reforms, including the Julian calendar, land redistribution to veterans, and expansion of the Senate. His concentration of power and reforms alarmed many senators. On the Ides of March 44 BC, he was assassinated by a group of conspirators, an event that plunged Rome into further civil wars and led to the rise of his adopted heir, Octavian.

Born in 155 AD in Qiao, Cao Cao began his career as a low-ranking official before rising through the Han court. He established a strong base in northern China, unifying many provinces under his control. Known for his ruthless yet effective leadership, he triumphed at the Battle of Guandu against the powerful warlord Yuan Shao. As Chancellor, he implemented administrative reforms to stabilize the war-torn empire and encouraged agricultural development. A patron of the arts, Cao Cao cultivated poets like his son Cao Zhi and fostered a cultural renaissance. He died in 220 AD, and his son Cao Pi succeeded him, officially ending the Han dynasty and founding the Cao Wei state.

Sam Dreben (1878–1925) was an American soldier and mercenary famed for his combat exploits. He served in the U.S. Army during the Philippine–American War and fought in the Boxer Rebellion. Later, he joined Pancho Villa’s forces in the Mexican Revolution, earning a reputation as a fearless fighter. Dreben was nicknamed “The Fighting Jew” for his frontline heroics and marksmanship. After his military career, he worked as a security consultant and wrote memoirs recounting his adventures. His life inspired newspapers and pulp magazines, cementing his legend in early 20th-century warfare. Dreben’s tombstone in El Paso, Texas, bears tribute to his service under multiple flags.

Dmitri Polyakov was born in Ukraine in 1921 and rose to the rank of Major General in Soviet military intelligence (GRU). In 1962, disillusioned with the Soviet regime, he offered his services to the CIA and became one of its most valuable assets. Over nearly two decades, Polyakov passed thousands of pages of top-secret documents, including details on nuclear strategy and Soviet leadership plans. His intelligence contributions informed key U.S. policies during the Cuban Missile Crisis and other Cold War flashpoints. In 1986, the notorious spy Aldrich Ames betrayed him, leading to his arrest by the KGB. Polyakov was tried in a closed military court and executed in 1988. His courage and sacrifice exemplify the high stakes of espionage in the 20th century.

Bo Callaway was an American politician and decorated World War II veteran who served as the first U.S. Secretary of the Army and as a U.S. Representative from Georgia. Born in 1927 in LaGrange, Georgia, he enlisted in the 101st Airborne Division and earned a Bronze Star for his service during World War II. After graduating from the University of Georgia, Callaway embarked on a political career, winning election to Congress in 1964 as a Republican. In 1973, President Nixon appointed him Secretary of the Army, where he oversaw modernization efforts and championed racial integration within the ranks. He later ran for governor of Georgia and remained active in public affairs and business ventures. Callaway died in 2014, noted for his military service and political achievements.