May 02

Liu Zong served as a military commander during the early 9th century under Emperor Xianzong of Tang. He is credited with quelling uprisings in the northwest frontier and restoring imperial authority in contested regions. As governor of several circuits, he implemented reforms to improve local defenses and supply lines. His leadership maintained stability during a period of internal strife and external threats. Liu Zong’s administrative acumen helped secure the empire’s borders before his death in 821.

William de la Pole built and commanded England’s fleet, securing key naval victories against French privateers. Elevated to the dukedom and serving as a royal counselor, he played a central role in Henry VI’s government. His political influence grew as he negotiated treaties and managed royal finances. Criticism mounted after military setbacks in France, and he was blamed for territorial losses. In 1450, he was assassinated by a mob while being sent into exile, marking a turbulent end to his career.

Herman Willem Daendels was a Dutch general and politician born in 1762. He served as Governor-General of the Dutch Gold Coast, overseeing the colony’s administration and defense until his death. A career military commander, he introduced reforms to fortify trading posts, improve garrison discipline, and regulate commerce along the West African coast. His leadership aimed to secure Dutch interests amid European competition for colonial territories. Daendels died on May 2, 1802, noted for his efforts to modernize colonial governance.

Born in 1879, Charalambos Tseroulis rose through the Hellenic Army ranks to become a general noted for his leadership in the Balkan Wars. After his military career, he transitioned to politics, serving as Greece's Minister for Military Affairs, where he focused on modernizing the armed forces. His reforms strengthened Greece's military structure during a turbulent interwar period. He was also active in parliamentary debates on defense policy, bridging military and civilian spheres. His legacy reflects a blend of strategic command and public service.

Born in 1872, William Joseph Denny served as a decorated soldier in the Boer War before embarking on a career as a journalist and lawyer. He entered politics as a member of the South Australian House of Assembly, where he was noted for his advocacy of workers' rights and social welfare legislation. Denny held ministerial portfolios including Attorney General and Minister of Education, promoting reforms in public education and legal processes. His diverse background in media, military service, and law informed his progressive approach to governance. He died in 1946, leaving a legacy of public service and reform.

Born in 1920, Dorothea Binz joined the SS Totenkopfverbände in 1942. She served as an Aufseherin (female overseer) at Ravensbrück, overseeing forced labor and camp discipline. Witnesses described her as brutal and merciless, inflicting severe punishment on inmates. After the war, she was tried in the Hamburg Ravensbrück trials in 1947. Convicted of war crimes, Binz was sentenced to death and executed by hanging that same year. Her case became emblematic of the atrocities committed by SS camp guards.

Born into a noble family in 1879, von Papen served as a cavalry officer in World War I. He entered politics in the Weimar Republic and became Chancellor in 1932. Von Papen played a key role in appointing Adolf Hitler as Chancellor in 1933. He served as Vice-Chancellor in Hitler’s cabinet but was marginalized soon after. Accused at Nuremberg but acquitted, he lived quietly until his death in 1969.

Born in 1878, Richardson graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and served in multiple sea commands. In 1939 he became Commander Battle Force of the Pacific Fleet. He repeatedly cautioned that basing ships at Pearl Harbor was vulnerable to attack. His public opposition led to his relief from command and early retirement in 1940. Richardson’s warnings were later seen as prescient after the 1941 Pearl Harbor attack. He died in 1974, remembered for his principled stance on naval strategy.

Colonel Stuart Archer GC (1915–2015) was a British Army officer celebrated for his courage as a bomb disposal expert in World War II, earning the George Cross in 1940. Born in Birmingham, he joined the Royal Engineers and safely defused hundreds of unexploded ordnances across war-torn Britain. After the war, Archer studied architecture at the Birmingham School of Architecture and established his own practice. He contributed to the post-war reconstruction of British cities, designing civic buildings and residential projects. Archer also documented his wartime experiences in lectures and publications, inspiring future generations of military engineers. His dual legacy as a war hero and visionary architect remains a testament to resilience and creativity.