June 07

Born in 1305 into a samurai family, Ashikaga Takauji initially served Emperor Go-Daigo but later turned against him during the Nanboku-chō wars. In 1336, he established his own military government in Kyoto, inaugurating the Muromachi shogunate. His rule marked the beginning of a new era characterized by the rise of regional samurai power and cultural developments. He faced continuous conflicts from loyalists of the Southern Court while consolidating authority. Although his regime struggled with factional disputes, his establishment of the Ashikaga shogunate had a lasting impact on medieval Japanese governance until its fall in the 16th century.

Benjamin Tupper served with distinction as an officer in the Continental Army, engaging in key battles during the American Revolution. After the war, he co-founded the Ohio Company of Associates and played a central role in surveying and laying out Marietta, Ohio, the first permanent U.S. settlement west of the Appalachians. Tupper later held the rank of brigadier general in the Massachusetts militia and worked as a civil engineer. He was widely respected for his technical expertise and dedication to the young republic. His efforts opened the Northwest Territory for settlement and set precedents for American frontier development.

Charles Baudin was born in Saint-Martin-de-Ré in 1792. He joined the French Navy in his twenties and served during the Napoleonic Wars. Rising through the ranks, he commanded the French forces in the 1840 Syrian expedition. In 1847, he was promoted to vice admiral and later became commander-in-chief of the Mediterranean squadron. During the Crimean War, Baudin led naval operations against Russian forces in the Black Sea. He was known for his strategic skill and commitment to modernizing the French fleet. Baudin died in Toulon in 1854, leaving a reputation as a distinguished naval officer.

Antonio Valero de Bernabé was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in 1790. He joined the Spanish army but resigned to fight for Venezuelan independence under Francisco de Miranda. Valero de Bernabé became a trusted officer of Simón Bolívar, participating in campaigns across New Granada and Peru. He led troops at the Battle of Ayacucho in 1824, securing the liberation of South America from Spanish rule. After independence, he served in various military and administrative roles in emerging republics. His lifelong commitment to freedom earned him the title of Liberator and a lasting place in Latin American history.