May 12

Born into a noble family in France in 1622, Louis de Buade de Frontenac pursued a military career before his appointment to New France in 1672. He implemented fortifications and negotiated with Indigenous allies to secure the colony’s borders. After returning to France and then being reappointed in 1689, he strengthened Quebec’s defenses during King William’s War. Frontenac’s shrewd leadership and tenacity stabilized the settlement and expanded fur trade routes. His tenure was marked by both conflicts with the clergy and efforts to develop the colony’s infrastructure until his death in 1698.

Rising from a minor noble family, Godoy became favorite of King Charles IV and rose rapidly through the ranks. As Prime Minister of Spain from 1792 to 1798, he negotiated the Peace of Basel and aligned Spain with Napoleonic France. He was appointed Field Marshal and later Prince of Peace, gaining vast political power and wealth. His controversial treaties and close ties to France earned him both admiration and fierce opposition at home. After the abdication of Charles IV in 1808, Godoy lived in exile, dying in Paris in 1851.

José de La Mar was a key figure in Peru's fight for independence, rising to the rank of general. In 1827 he was elected President of Peru, leading a nation grappling with post-independence challenges. His presidency focused on stabilizing the economy and establishing national institutions. He faced internal revolts and external pressures, ultimately stepping down in favor of political unity. La Mar spent his later years in exile and died in 1830, remembered as a founding father of Peru.

Tôn Thất Thuyết (1839-1913) was a high-ranking mandarin of Vietnam's Nguyễn dynasty. Opposed to French colonial encroachment, he orchestrated the Cần Vương movement to restore imperial authority. In 1885, he launched the Huế ambush and forced Emperor Hàm Nghi to issue the Cần Vương edict. After the fall of Huế, Thuyết and Hàm Nghi fled to China, continuing resistance efforts from exile. His dedication to national sovereignty made him a symbol of Vietnamese anti-colonial struggle.

Alejandro Gorostiaga (1840-1912) was a Chilean military officer who served in the War of the Pacific against Peru and Bolivia. He commanded a small garrison of Chilean troops at the Battle of La Concepción in 1882, where they fought to the last man. Gorostiaga's defense became a celebrated example of Chilean bravery and sacrifice. After the war, he held various administrative roles and was honored for his military service. His memoirs and reports provide valuable insights into 19th-century military strategy in South America.