April 21

Bajkam rose from slave soldier to commander-in-chief under Caliph al-Muttaqi, becoming the most powerful figure in the Abbasid court by 938. He quelled rebellions and secured Baghdad against rival factions, restoring a measure of central authority. As de facto regent, he managed both the caliphate's military campaigns and administrative affairs. He supported the caliph's religious policies while balancing the ambitions of provincial governors. His sudden death in 941 after a hunting accident abruptly ended his rule, leading to renewed instability in the caliphate. Bajkam's tenure is remembered for his ability to wield both military and political power.

Yagyū Jūbei Mitsuyoshi, born in 1607, was one of Japan’s most legendary samurai, serving the Tokugawa shogunate. As the son of the famed instructor Yagyū Munenori, he mastered the Yagyū Shinkage-ryū school of swordsmanship. His exceptional dueling skills and contributions to swordsmanship manuals cemented his reputation among martial artists. Jūbei’s life inspired countless tales and legends, though historical records of his exploits are scarce. His legacy endures in martial traditions and popular culture, symbolizing the archetype of the master swordsman.

Born in 1646, Antoine Hamilton served as a soldier in the French army before forging a reputation as a gifted memoirist. Writing under the pseudonym the Comte de Grammont, he immortalized the intrigues and personalities of King Charles II’s court in his celebrated Mémoires. His witty and vivid storytelling has made his works enduring classics of Restoration literature. Hamilton’s unique blend of military experience and literary flair continues to charm readers interested in 17th-century court life.

Born in 1663, Prince Eugene of Savoy rose to prominence as one of Europe’s greatest military commanders. Serving the Habsburg Monarchy, he achieved landmark victories at battles such as Zenta and Blenheim, securing Austrian interests against Ottoman and French forces. His innovative tactics and strategic acumen reshaped military practice in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Beyond the battlefield, Eugene served as governor of Milan and was a key advisor in imperial court politics, leaving a legacy as both a warrior and statesman.

Born in 1746 in Virginia, Joseph Winston moved to North Carolina where he became a prominent militia officer during the American Revolution. He served with distinction at the Battle of Guilford Court House and later entered politics, representing North Carolina in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1793 to 1797. As a planter and public servant, Winston contributed to frontier defense and the early governance of the young republic. His dedication to both military and civic duty left an enduring mark on his state.

Born in 1787 into a noble Russian family, Ivan Nabokov began his military career under Tsar Alexander I. He saw action at major engagements including Austerlitz, Borodino, and Leipzig, earning promotions for bravery and leadership. After the wars, Nabokov held several high-ranking commands within the Imperial Russian Army and contributed to peacetime military administration. His service exemplified the professionalization of Russia’s officer corps in the 19th century.

Manfred von Richthofen was born in 1892 into a Prussian aristocratic family. He gained fame as the most successful fighter ace of WWI with 80 confirmed air combat victories. He led the elite Flying Circus squadron and flew a distinct red Fokker Dr.I triplane. His tactical prowess, courage, and leadership made him a national hero in Germany. Richthofen's pilots idolized him for his skill and chivalry in the skies. He was killed in action in 1918, and his legacy endures as the archetype of the combat ace.

Walter Model was born in 1891 in Genthin, Germany, and served on multiple fronts during World Wars I and II. He earned a reputation as a tenacious defensive commander, earning the nickname "Hitler's Fireman". Model stabilized collapsing German lines at battles such as Kursk and the Ardennes counteroffensive. Despite strategic setbacks, he was respected by both allies and enemies for his tactical acumen. In 1945, with Germany's defeat imminent, Model took command of Army Group B in the Ruhr. Facing encirclement and despair over Germany's fate, he ended his life in April 1945.