May 23

Born in Berlin in 1730, he was the seventh son of King Frederick William I of Prussia and Queen Sophia Dorothea. A career soldier, Augustus Ferdinand rose to the rank of general, leading hussar regiments in key battles of the Seven Years' War. His strategic acumen and bravery earned him the Order of the Black Eagle and respect among his peers. In addition to his military career, he served as Grand Master of the Order of Saint John and patron of the arts, fostering cultural growth in his court. He married Elisabeth Louise of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel-Bevern in 1755, though the couple had no surviving children. The prince's blend of military leadership and courtly influence made him a notable figure in 18th-century Prussia, where he died in 1813.

Born in Turnau, in the Kingdom of Hungary under Habsburg rule, in 1789, Franz Schlik entered the Austrian army as a cavalry officer and rose through the ranks over a long military career. During the 1848 revolutions, he commanded forces that helped suppress uprisings in Milan and revolts in Hungary, earning him acclaim and the title Count of Bassano. His decisive actions at battles such as Custoza and Pákozd reinforced Habsburg authority during a period of intense social and political upheaval. After the conflicts, Schlik served in administrative roles, including the governorship of Prague, and was awarded high imperial honors. A respected strategist, he also authored military treatises on cavalry tactics. Schlik died in Prague in 1862, remembered as a key figure in maintaining the stability of the Austrian Empire.

Born in Condé-sur-Noireau, France, in 1790, d'Urville entered the French navy and quickly distinguished himself in mapping voyages to Australia and the Pacific. He commanded the Astrolabe on a major expedition from 1826 to 1829, charting coastlines and collecting botanical specimens. His discovery of Adélie Land in 1840 earned him recognition as one of the first explorers to set foot on Antarctica. d'Urville's meticulous journals and scientific observations enriched European knowledge of geography, natural history, and ethnography. He also conducted diplomatic missions and surveys in South America, showcasing his versatility as an explorer. A tragic fire aboard the Astrolabe in 1842 claimed his life at sea, but his legacy endured through his published maps and writings that inspired future polar explorers.

Rómulo Díaz de la Vega was born in 1800 and rose through the ranks of the Mexican army. He played a key role in internal conflicts following the country’s independence. In December 1855 he assumed the presidency as interim leader after the Reform Revolution. His brief tenure was marked by efforts to stabilize the government and maintain order. Díaz de la Vega negotiated with various military factions and regional governors to prevent further fragmentation. After leaving office he returned to military service and continued to influence Mexican politics behind the scenes. He died in 1877, remembered as a figure who bridged military and civilian authority during a turbulent era.

Ambrose Burnside was born in 1824 in Indiana and graduated from West Point, launching a career as a U.S. Army officer. He served in the Mexican-American War and practiced engineering before rejoining the army during the Civil War. Burnside commanded the Army of the Potomac at the Battle of Fredericksburg, suffering a notable defeat. He later led Union forces to victory in the Battle of Petersburg. After the war he entered politics and was elected governor of Rhode Island in 1866. Burnside also served three terms as a U.S. Senator representing Rhode Island. His trademark sideburns gave rise to the term 'sideburns' in American English. He died in 1881, leaving a complex legacy as both soldier and statesman.

Born into a Baltic German family in 1896 in Vyazma, Russian Empire. He served in the German Army during World War I and rose through the ranks of the SS in the 1930s. Steiner commanded the SS-Totenkopf Division, leading it in brutal fighting on the Eastern Front in WWII. In April 1945, Hitler briefly ordered Steiner's 'Army Detachment Steiner' to relieve Berlin in a doomed counterattack. After the war, he was detained by Allied forces but never stood trial for war crimes. Steiner died in 1966, his military career emblematic of the SS elite's brutality.