March 28

Francisco de Miranda (1750–1816) was a Venezuelan military officer and pivotal precursor to the Latin American independence movements. Serving in the Spanish army and later the French Revolutionary forces, he gained valuable military experience and revolutionary ideals. Miranda envisioned a liberated Americas, undertaking expeditions to incite revolution in Venezuela and forging connections with leaders like George Washington. Although his 1806 expedition failed and he was captured, his efforts inspired future figures such as Simón Bolívar. He spent his final years imprisoned in Cádiz, dying in 1816, but his vision of independence endured. Miranda is celebrated as the Forerunner of South American Independence for shaping the philosophical and strategic foundations of the liberation struggles.

Wade Hampton III, born in 1818, was a prominent South Carolina planter and Confederate cavalry commander known for his leadership in the Army of Northern Virginia. After the Civil War, he became a symbol of the Southern elite and led the Redeemer movement to end Republican Reconstruction in his state. Elected the 77th Governor of South Carolina in 1876, Hampton worked to restore white Democratic control and promote economic recovery. He later served as a U.S. Senator, advocating for states’ rights and agricultural interests. Noted for his political influence and complex legacy, he remains a controversial figure in American history.

Henry D. Washburn, born in 1832, served as an officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War and was brevetted brigadier general for his leadership in the field. After the war, he settled in Wisconsin, studied law, and entered politics. Washburn was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly, where he championed veterans’ rights and public education initiatives. He drew on his military experience to influence state militia reforms and infrastructure development. Remembered for his service both on the battlefield and in government, Washburn died in 1871, leaving a legacy of civic commitment.

Born in County Mayo, Tom Maguire joined the Irish Volunteers and quickly rose through the ranks during the War of Independence. He commanded IRA units in the West, demonstrating strategic acumen in guerrilla warfare against British forces. After the Anglo-Irish Treaty, he opposed partition and took the anti-Treaty side during the Irish Civil War. Disillusioned by the conflict's aftermath, he stepped back from active military service and became a respected community figure in Castlebar. In his later years, he recorded his memoirs and gave interviews that provided valuable first-hand accounts of Ireland's revolutionary period. Living to the age of 100, he was one of the last surviving veterans of the struggle for Irish independence. His legacy endures through his written testimonies and the respect he garnered for his dedication to the republican cause.

Born into a naval family, Ernst Lindemann graduated from the German Naval Academy and served in the Reichsmarine during the interwar years. In May 1941, he was appointed captain of the battleship Bismarck, one of Nazi Germany's most formidable warships. He led Bismarck into Operation Rheinübung, engaging British forces in the North Atlantic. Under his command, the Bismarck and the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen sank the HMS Hood, Britain's pride of the fleet. Lindemann was killed when the Bismarck was sunk on May 27, 1941, marking a dramatic end to his naval career. His leadership and seamanship during the mission have been studied by historians and naval strategists. Despite serving under the Nazi regime, his conduct in battle earned respect from both allies and adversaries. His story remains a significant chapter in naval history.

Marina Raskova was a pioneering Soviet aviator and the first woman to earn navigator wings in 1935. She set a world record for a solo flight around the Arctic in 1938. Raskova founded the Soviet female air regiments, known as the 'Night Witches,' which played a crucial role in WWII. She flew combat missions as a navigator and helped train dozens of women pilots for front-line service. In 1943, she tragically died in a plane crash while on a mission. Her legacy inspired generations of women in aviation and remains a symbol of courage and determination.

Bowe Bergdahl (born 1986) is a former United States Army soldier who was captured by the Taliban in Afghanistan in 2009 after leaving his post. He spent nearly five years in captivity before being released in 2014 in exchange for five Guantanamo Bay detainees, a deal that sparked intense debate. Upon his return, Bergdahl faced military charges for desertion and misbehavior before the enemy, leading to a court-martial and a sentence that included a reduction in rank and a dishonorable discharge. His case remains one of the most scrutinized military incidents of the Afghanistan conflict.