May 30

Joan of Arc (1412-1431) claimed divine visions instructing her to support Charles VII and expel English forces from France. At age 17, she led the French army to lift the siege of Orléans in 1429, boosting French morale and altering the war's trajectory. Captured by Burgundian allies of the English, she was tried for heresy and burned at the stake at 19. Posthumously exonerated in 1456, she was canonized in 1920 and became a symbol of French unity and faith. Joan's extraordinary courage and conviction continue to inspire worldwide admiration.

Prokop the Great (c. 1380–1434) was a Czech general and one of the most prominent leaders of the Hussite movement. He rose to prominence after the death of Jan Žižka, leading the Hussite armies in several key battles. Known for his innovative tactics and deep commitment to the reformist cause, he defended Bohemian Protestants against royalist forces. He played a central role at the Battle of Lipany in 1434, although it ended in defeat for the radical Hussites. After the battle he was captured and killed, becoming a martyr figure for the Hussite cause. His military leadership and dedication left a lasting impact on Czech national and religious history.

Arnold van Keppel, 1st Earl of Albemarle (1670–1718), was a Dutch nobleman who rose to prominence as a favorite of King William III of England. He accompanied William III during the Glorious Revolution and earned rapid promotions within the English army. Elevated to the peerage as Earl of Albemarle, he commanded troops in campaigns across Ireland and Flanders. Van Keppel also served in diplomatic roles, representing English interests at European courts. His close relationship with the king and his military leadership left a lasting imprint on early 18th-century Anglo-Dutch relations. After William III's death, Van Keppel continued to manage his estates and maintain a prominent role in British society.

Philibert Jean-Baptiste Curial (1774–1829) was a French military officer who rose through the ranks during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. He fought in key battles including Austerlitz, Jena, and Wagram, earning recognition for his leadership and bravery. Curial was appointed general of division and became a trusted commander in the Grande Armée. After Napoleon's fall, he swore allegiance to the restored Bourbon monarchy and was honored with the title of count. Curial continued to serve in high-level military and court positions until his death in 1829. His career exemplified the fluid allegiances and professional soldiering that characterized early 19th-century France.

Mariano Ignacio Ramón Castilla y Marquesado (1797–1867) was a Peruvian army officer and politician who served as President of Peru in two nonconsecutive terms. Rising to prominence in the wars of independence, he led campaigns against royalist forces across the Andes. As president from 1845 to 1851 and again from 1855 to 1862, Castilla fostered economic growth through the guano trade and improved infrastructure. He enacted groundbreaking reforms, including the abolition of slavery in 1854 and the establishment of free public education. Castilla also reorganized the military and implemented administrative changes that strengthened central government. His leadership helped stabilize Peru during a tumultuous post-independence era. Castilla is remembered as a reformer who laid foundations for Peru's modernization.

Born in 1848, Tōgō Heihachirō joined the Imperial Japanese Navy and quickly earned a reputation for tactical brilliance. As Commander-in-Chief during the Russo-Japanese War, he achieved a decisive victory at the Battle of Tsushima in 1905, establishing Japan as a major naval power. He introduced innovative ship designs and training doctrines, earning the title “Nelson of the East.” After retiring, he remained an influential advisor on naval strategy and policy, shaping Japan’s maritime development until his death in 1934.

Born in 1880 in Zara, Georg von Trapp served as a U-boat commander in the Austro-Hungarian Navy during World War I, earning several decorations. After the war, financial hardship led him to teach singing, eventually forming a family choir with his wife Agatha. Following her death, he remarried Maria Augusta and together they established the Trapp Family Singers, touring Europe and America. Their story inspired the bestselling memoir and the Broadway musical The Sound of Music. Georg emigrated to the United States in 1938, where he continued to promote music until his death in 1947.

Mitsuo Fuchida (1902–1976) was a captain in the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service who led the first wave of the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. He famously radioed the code message Tora! Tora! Tora! indicating complete surprise. After World War II, Fuchida became a Christian evangelist, traveling worldwide to share his faith. He authored several books recounting his wartime experiences and spiritual journey. Fuchida's life story highlights the transformation from military pilot to preacher. His account of the Pearl Harbor attack remains one of the most vivid firsthand narratives of the event.

Ziaur Rahman (1936–1981) was a Bangladeshi military officer and politician who served as the 7th President of Bangladesh from 1977 until his assassination. A hero of Bangladesh's liberation war, he declared the country's independence on behalf of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1971. As President, he introduced political and economic reforms, founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), and promoted rural development. His leadership stabilized the country after years of turmoil but remains controversial. Ziaur Rahman is credited with laying foundations for modern Bangladesh's political landscape. His legacy continues to influence Bangladeshi politics.

Denis Whitaker was a Canadian Army officer noted for his leadership in key campaigns across Northwest Europe during World War II. He commanded infantry units with tactical skill, earning multiple decorations for bravery. After the war, Whitaker turned to writing, publishing detailed histories of Canadian military engagements. His books became essential resources for scholars and veterans alike. Whitaker's dual legacy as both soldier and historian cemented his place in Canadian military history.

Born in 1917, Dufferin Roblin began his career serving as a commander in the Canadian forces. He later entered provincial politics and became the 14th Premier of Manitoba, serving from 1958 to 1967. Under his leadership, the province saw significant infrastructure development and educational reforms. Roblin's pragmatic approach and vision for modernization earned him high regard across Canada. He continued to influence public life even after leaving office, until his passing in 2010.

Leonidas Vasilikopoulos was a distinguished Greek admiral born in 1932. He graduated from the Hellenic Naval Academy and dedicated his life to naval service. Rising through the ranks, he held key command positions within the Hellenic Navy. As admiral, he focused on modernizing naval operations and strengthening maritime defense. Vasilikopoulos played a significant role in NATO joint exercises and Mediterranean security initiatives. He is remembered for his leadership, strategic vision, and commitment to his country’s naval forces.