May 22

Dong Zhuo rose to prominence as a military general during the decline of the Han dynasty. He leveraged his military strength to depose the ruling emperor and place a puppet monarch on the throne. His brutal suppression of rivals and lavish lifestyle provoked widespread resentment among nobles and the populace. In 190 AD, a coalition of warlords formed to oust him from power, leading to his assassination by his adopted son. Although his rule was short-lived, it sparked the fragmentation of central authority that precipitated the Three Kingdoms period. Dong Zhuo's legacy endures in Chinese history and fiction, often depicted as a symbol of tyranny and chaos.

Born around 1406, Edmund Beaufort succeeded his father as Duke of Somerset and became a leading Lancastrian nobleman. He commanded forces in France during the Hundred Years' War, where he faced defeats at Cherbourg and Caen. Upon his return to England, he emerged as a key figure in the political conflicts between the Lancastrian and Yorkist factions. His leadership at the First Battle of St Albans in 1455 ended in his death on the battlefield. Contemporary chroniclers criticized his military failures, but supporters lauded his loyalty to King Henry VI. His death marked a turning point in the Wars of the Roses and intensified the struggle for the English throne. Edmund Beaufort's life illustrates the intertwining of noble ambition and civil strife in 15th-century England.

Born in 1414, Thomas Clifford inherited the barony and estates of the Clifford family in northern England. He staunchly supported the Lancastrian cause against the rival Yorkists. Clifford led troops in several skirmishes during the early stages of the Wars of the Roses. He fought alongside Edmund Beaufort at the First Battle of St Albans, where he was killed in 1455. Clifford's family suffered significant losses of land and influence following the Yorkist victory. He is remembered for his loyalty to King Henry VI and his role in the era's dynastic conflicts. Thomas Clifford's fate exemplifies the perils faced by the English nobility during civil war.

Born in 1393, Henry Percy inherited the earldom and became a key Lancastrian noble. He served as a commander in northern England and held the king's commissions to defend the realm. Percy joined forces with other Lancastrian lords at the First Battle of St Albans in 1455. He died on the battlefield during that engagement, marking one of the first noble casualties of the conflict. His death dealt a blow to the Percy family's power in the north. Contemporary historians note his military acumen and steadfast support for King Henry VI. Henry Percy's life and death highlight the brutal nature of the Wars of the Roses.

Pieter Willemsz. Verhoeff was born in 1573 and became a captain for the Dutch East India Company (VOC). He led voyages to the East Indies, charting trade routes and securing Dutch interests in the spice trade. Verhoeff commanded armed expeditions during conflicts with regional rulers and rival European powers. In 1609, he was killed in an ambush on the Banda Islands while negotiating with local inhabitants. His voyages contributed valuable geographic knowledge and facilitated the VOC's expansion in Southeast Asia. Verhoeff is remembered for his intrepid leadership and the risks of early colonial exploration.

François-Marie was born in 1671 and entered the French Army at a young age, quickly distinguishing himself through tactical skill. He served with distinction in the War of the Spanish Succession, commanding troops in key battles and sieges. In recognition of his service, he was elevated by Louis XV to become the 1st duc de Broglie. His leadership and reforms in troop organization enhanced the effectiveness of French forces during his tenure. Broglie maintained close relations with the royal court, contributing to military and political discussions of his era. He died in 1745, remembered as one of France's most respected generals of the early Enlightenment period.

Thornsbury Bailey Brown, born in 1829, served in the Union militia during the early stages of the American Civil War. On July 21, 1861, he was killed in a skirmish in the Wheeling area, marking one of the conflict's earliest casualties. His death illustrated the war's sudden descent into armed violence and its human cost. Though his name is less remembered today, his sacrifice symbolizes the bravery of ordinary soldiers on both sides. Brown's story is commemorated among historians as a poignant example of the war's opening struggles. He remains a symbol of the profound personal losses that defined the era.

Born in St. Johns, Michigan, in 1946, Robert Lynn Asprin served in the U.S. Army Chemical Corps during the Vietnam War. He embarked on a writing career in the 1970s, debuting with humorous fantasy and science fiction novels. Asprin achieved fame with the MythAdventures series, chronicling the misadventures of wizard-in-training Skeeve and his mentor Aahz. He also created the Phule's Company and co-authored the Time Scout series, collaborating with Linda Evans and others. His playful tone and inventive worlds earned him a dedicated global fanbase and influenced the comedic fantasy genre. In addition to his novels, Asprin was active in the science fiction community, organizing conventions and supporting emerging authors. He passed away on May 22, 2008, leaving a legacy as one of fantasy’s most entertaining storytellers.

Born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1927, Wesley Allison Brown became the first African-American admitted to the U.S. Naval Academy in 1945 and graduated in 1949. He served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, specializing in engineering and ship design, and held various assignments both at sea and ashore. Brown participated in research and development projects, contributing to naval systems engineering and later working at the Naval Research Laboratory. He dedicated his post-military career to mentoring minorities in STEM, advocating for diversity in the armed forces and engineering fields. In recognition of his pioneering achievements, several scholarships and awards have been established in his honor. Brown passed away on May 22, 2012, leaving a legacy as a trailblazer for African-Americans in military service and engineering.

Born in Ukraine in 1921, Vladimir Katriuk served as an SS police deputy in Nazi-occupied Belarus during World War II. After the war, he emigrated to Canada and built a career as an agricultural manager and community leader. In the 1990s, he faced allegations by Holocaust survivors of participating in mass executions, leading to civil lawsuits and criminal investigations. Canadian prosecutors ultimately abandoned war crime charges due to challenges in evidence and witnesses. His case highlighted complexities in post-war justice and restitution for Holocaust victims. Katriuk died on May 22, 2015, without ever being convicted in court.