July 20

Alexander Stewart, known as the Wolf of Badenoch, was the fourth son of King Robert II of Scotland. Created Earl of Buchan, he gained notoriety for his brutal suppression of Highland clans and for burning Inverness in 1390. A formidable military commander, he wielded significant power across northern Scotland and frequently clashed with both church and nobility. Despite his violent reputation, Stewart played a key role in defending royal interests against rebellious lords. His leadership exemplified the turbulent politics of medieval Scotland as he carved out his own dominion. He died in 1405, leaving a controversial legacy as both a protector and tormentor of the Highlands.

György Dózsa, born circa 1470, was a Szekler nobleman appointed to preach a crusade against the Turks but instead rallied Hungarian peasants over grievances of feudal burdens. His revolt quickly escalated into a nationwide peasant uprising in 1514, uniting serfs and minor nobility against the ruling class. Initially gaining military successes, Dózsa's forces threatened the power of Hungary's magnates and forced the royal court to respond with brutal force. After a decisive defeat, he was captured and subjected to a horrific execution intended as a warning to future rebels. Dózsa's martyrdom transformed him into a symbol of social justice and resistance in Hungarian history. He died in 1514, his legacy echoing in folklore and nationalist movements centuries later.

Hugh O'Neill, 2nd Earl of Tyrone, was born in 1550 into the powerful O'Neill dynasty of Ulster. As chieftain, he skillfully united Irish clans and launched the Nine Years' War (1594–1603) to resist English encroachment. O'Neill's guerrilla tactics and political alliances challenged Tudor authority, culminating in significant English defeats such as the Battle of Yellow Ford. Despite initial successes, the uprising faltered after the Treaty of Mellifont and the intervention of English forces under Mountjoy. After surrendering in 1603, he was stripped of his lands and titles and exiled to continental Europe. O'Neill died in Rome in 1616, remembered as a symbol of Irish resistance and national identity.

Born José Doroteo Arango Arámbula in 1878 in Durango, Villa emerged as a fierce commander during the Mexican Revolution. He led the División del Norte, winning key victories at Torreón and Ojinaga. As Governor of Chihuahua (1913–1914), he instituted agrarian reforms and championed peasant rights. His bold tactics and charismatic persona made him a symbol of resistance against dictatorship. After years of civil war and shifting alliances, he retired to a hacienda but was assassinated in 1923. Villa’s legacy endures in Mexican culture as a folk hero and revolutionary icon.

Born in 1880 in Partenkirchen, Beck served in the German Army during World War I and rose through the ranks in the interwar period. Appointed Chief of the General Staff in 1935, he resigned in 1938 in protest of Hitler’s aggressive expansion policies. Beck became a leading figure in the military resistance and joined the conspiracy to assassinate Hitler on July 20, 1944. After the plot failed, he was arrested and given the order to take his own life, fatally wounded later that day. His defiance made him a symbol of principled opposition within the Wehrmacht. Beck’s legacy endures as a testament to moral courage in the face of tyranny.

William D. Leahy was the first to hold the rank of Fleet Admiral in the United States Navy, appointed in 1944. He served as chief of naval operations and later as the personal military advisor to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Leahy coordinated Allied strategy during World War II as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. After the war, he was appointed United States Ambassador to France, strengthening Franco-American relations. Known for his calm leadership and diplomatic skill, he played a key role in military and foreign affairs. Leahy's career spanned over five decades, leaving a legacy of strategic vision and international cooperation.

Joseph Rochefort was born in Iowa in 1900 and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1920. As a captain and cryptanalyst in the U.S. Navy, he led a team that decrypted Japanese naval codes during World War II. His efforts at Station Hypo in Pearl Harbor provided crucial intelligence before the Battle of Midway. Rochefort’s work is credited with turning the tide in the Pacific by allowing U.S. forces to ambush Japanese fleets. Despite initial resistance from superiors, his breakthroughs earned him recognition and awards after the war. He retired as a captain and continued to advocate for intelligence analysis until his death in 1976.

Frank Reynolds was born in Kansas in 1923 and served as a soldier during World War II, earning a Bronze Star. After the war, he became a journalist, working for newspapers and radio before joining television. Reynolds was an anchor and correspondent for ABC News, covering major events such as Vietnam and Watergate. Known for his calm demeanor and integrity, he reported from the front lines and interviewed world leaders. His work earned him awards, including Emmys, for investigative and international reporting. Reynolds continued anchoring the ABC Evening News until his death in 1983.

Richard Egan (1921-1987) was an American soldier and actor. He served in the United States Army before embarking on a successful career in Hollywood. Egan appeared in films and television series from the 1940s through the 1970s, often portraying strong, heroic characters. His rugged good looks and on-screen charisma earned him leading roles opposite major stars. Notable for his performances in both war dramas and romantic films, he became a familiar face to cinema audiences. Egan's dual legacy as a serviceman and performer remains celebrated on the anniversary of his death.

Bruce Conde (died 1992) was an American U.S. Army officer and passionate stamp collector who later joined the royalist forces in the North Yemen civil war. After his military service, he gained recognition in the philatelic community for building an impressive collection. In the 1960s, Conde traveled to Yemen and rose to the rank of general among royalist mercenaries. He led troops in key engagements during the conflict, applying his military expertise to unconventional warfare. Conde's dual pursuits of soldiering and scholarship made him a figure of intrigue in both circles. He passed away on July 20, 1992, leaving behind a diverse and contentious legacy.

Born in 1921 in what is now Croatia, Dinko Šakić joined the Ustaše militia in his youth and quickly rose through its ranks. As commander of the Jasenovac concentration camp, he oversaw brutal conditions and was implicated in widespread atrocities. After fleeing to Argentina at the end of the war, he lived in exile under an assumed identity for decades. He was finally extradited to Croatia in 1998, tried for war crimes, and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Šakić remained unrepentant until his death behind bars in 2008.