June 14

Born in 1838 in the Chōshū Domain, Yamagata Aritomo was instrumental in the Meiji Restoration. He studied Western military techniques and helped transform Japan’s feudal forces into a modern Imperial Army. As Prime Minister from 1889 to 1891 and again from 1898 to 1900, he shaped Japan’s political and military policies. Yamagata was also a leading figure in establishing the conscription system and strengthening national defense. His leadership laid the foundation for Japan’s emergence as a major world power in the early 20th century. He died in 1922, honored as one of Japan’s great military and political architects.

Theobald Wolfe Tone FitzGerald served as an officer in the Irish Army during the early years of the Irish Free State. After his military career, he pursued his passion for art, studying painting and exhibiting his work throughout Ireland. FitzGerald's landscapes captured the rugged beauty of the Irish countryside with a distinctive use of color and light. His artistic contributions reflected the cultural resurgence of Ireland in the mid-20th century. Collectors value his paintings for both their historical significance and aesthetic appeal.

Green Wix Unthank served as a U.S. Army officer during World War II, earning commendations for his leadership. After the war, he earned his law degree from the University of Kentucky in 1950. He practiced law in Kentucky before being appointed a federal judge for the Eastern District of Kentucky in 1971. Unthank presided over cases involving civil rights and corporate law for over two decades. Known for his fairness and integrity, he made significant contributions to the federal judiciary. He retired in 1991 and passed away in 2013, leaving a legacy of legal scholarship and public service.

Born in Rosario, Argentina, Ernesto 'Che' Guevara studied medicine at the University of Buenos Aires. He traveled across South America and witnessed social injustices that influenced his political views. Guevara joined Fidel Castro's 26th of July Movement in Cuba in 1956, playing a key role in the revolution. After the victory, he held positions in Cuba's government, overseeing industrial and agrarian reform. He documented his battlefield experiences in 'The Motorcycle Diaries' and other writings. In later years, Guevara attempted to spark revolutions abroad, including in the Congo and Bolivia. Captured and executed in Bolivia in 1967, he became an enduring symbol of rebellion and anti-imperialism.