April 07

Born into the distinguished Neufville family, François rose to prominence at the court of Louis XIV. He served in the Franco-Dutch War and later in the War of the Spanish Succession. As governor of Provence and Dauphiné, he managed regional defenses and administration. Elevated to Marshal of France, he was esteemed for his leadership and loyalty. During the Regency of Philippe II, he advised on military reforms. He died in 1730, leaving a legacy of service to the French crown.

Kurt von Schleicher was a German general and politician who rose through the Reichswehr to become the 23rd Chancellor of Germany. As a key figure in the late Weimar Republic, he orchestrated political alliances and served as a military advisor under President Paul von Hindenburg. His short chancellorship from December 1932 to January 1933 was marked by attempts to stabilize the government in the face of economic turmoil and political extremism. Schleicher played a pivotal role in the negotiations that ultimately led to Adolf Hitler's appointment as Chancellor of Germany in 1933. Accused of betraying conservative elites, he fell out of favor and was assassinated during the Night of the Long Knives in June 1934. His death symbolized the final collapse of parliamentary democracy in Germany.

Étienne Ed Lafitte was a left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball from 1909 to 1911, playing for the Detroit Tigers and the Brooklyn Superbas. Known for his distinctive delivery, he recorded 11 wins and 11 losses with a solid earned run average. After his baseball career, Lafitte enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War I and served honorably overseas. Upon returning, he remained active in local sports communities and worked in business, bridging his passion for athletics with civic duty. His dual roles as an athlete and a soldier highlight the spirit of early 20th-century American sportsmen. Lafitte is remembered for his competitive drive both on the mound and the battlefield.

Born in 1895, Flannagan served in the U.S. Army during World War I before turning to art. He became the first American sculptor to champion direct carving, carving stone and wood without models or maquettes. His animal and natural motifs, rendered in raw materials, broke from academic traditions and influenced modern sculpture. Despite personal struggles, his work found recognition in public art programs during the Great Depression. Flannagan's innovative approach left a lasting impact on 20th-century American sculpture.

Born in 1897, Löwenhardt joined the German air service in 1916 and rose quickly through the ranks. He flew with Jagdstaffel 11 and other elite units, earning multiple wounds and decorations for bravery. Löwenhardt's agile tactics and leadership made him one of Germany's top aces, engaging in over 300 combat missions. He received the Pour le Mérite, Germany's highest military honor, shortly before his death in a flying accident in 1918. His legacy as a daring pilot endures among aviation historians and enthusiasts.

Born in 1903, Edwin T. Layton joined the U.S. Navy and specialized in intelligence. He served as the chief intelligence officer for the U.S. Pacific Fleet under Admiral Chester Nimitz during World War II. Layton played a crucial role in deciphering Japanese naval codes, contributing to Allied successes in the Pacific. After the war, he continued to influence naval intelligence practices and wrote a memoir of his experiences. He died in 1984, leaving a legacy as one of America's most effective intelligence officers.

Born in 1913, Charles Vanik served in the U.S. Army during World War II before studying law. He practiced as a judge in Ohio and later was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1954. Vanik co-sponsored the Jackson–Vanik Amendment, linking U.S. trade policy to human rights in the Soviet bloc. He served more than two decades in Congress, focusing on civil rights, labor law, and international affairs. He died in 2007, remembered for his legislative impact on human rights and trade policy.

Born Robert Denard in 1929, he served in the French Navy before becoming a mercenary. He led operations in Katanga, Biafra, Rhodesia, the Congo, and the Comoros, often supporting secessionist movements and engaging in political intrigue. Nicknamed 'Colonel' by African allies, his forces intervened in numerous coups, most notably in the Comoros archipelago where he installed and deposed several presidents. Denard's actions raised controversies over neocolonialism and illicit arms dealings, drawing international scrutiny and legal charges in France. Despite arrests and prison sentences, he repeatedly returned to Africa to resume his ventures. He died in 2007 in Paris, leaving a legacy as one of the most infamous and enigmatic figures of the Cold War era.