July 25

Ragenold served as margrave of Neustria, the frontier territory of West Francia. He was responsible for defending the kingdom's northern and eastern borders. Little is known about his early life, but he held significant military and administrative authority. He likely managed local fortifications and commanded troops against Viking raids. His death in 885 left a temporary power vacuum in the region. His tenure illustrates the turbulent nature of Carolingian frontier defense.

Charles of Artois, Count of Eu, was born in 1394 into the powerful House of Artois. He inherited the county of Eu from his father Philip in 1397. Charles aligned with Burgundian interests during the Armagnac–Burgundian civil wars. He fought in the Hundred Years’ War and was present at the Battle of Agincourt. He later served as a diplomat, negotiating between French factions. Charles died in 1472, having upheld his family’s status in late medieval France.

Born in 1584 into a prominent Nottinghamshire family, Pierrepont inherited extensive estates. He was created Earl of Kingston-upon-Hull in 1628 and held key military commands for King Charles I. During the English Civil War, he led Royalist forces at several engagements in the Midlands. Tragically, he was killed by a stray shot at Gainsborough on July 25, 1643, cutting short his career. His death was lamented by both friends and foes for his measured leadership and personal courage. Pierrepont's legacy endures as a testament to the complexities of loyalty and conflict in 17th-century England.

Born in Albany in 1723, Livingston studied law and became an active voice in colonial politics. He served as a delegate to the Continental Congress and was a fierce advocate for American independence. In 1776 he was elected the first Governor of New Jersey, guiding the state through the Revolutionary War. Livingston opposed slavery and supported the creation of republican institutions in the new nation. He signed the United States Constitution as a New Jersey delegate, shaping the country's founding framework. His long tenure and principled leadership helped stabilize the young state in its formative years.

Born in 1799 as Margaret Ann Bulkley, James Barry adopted a male identity to study medicine at Edinburgh University. Commissioned in the British Army, they served in South Africa, the Caribbean, and Canada, improving medical practices and sanitation. Barry performed the first recorded caesarean section in which both mother and child survived. Known for strict hygiene standards, they dramatically reduced battlefield mortality rates. Upon Barry’s death in 1865, it was discovered they were assigned female at birth, shocking colleagues and the public. Barry’s career challenged gender norms and advanced military medicine.

Harry Patch was born in 1898 and served as an infantryman in the British Army during World War I. He fought in some of the war's fiercest battles, including Passchendaele, enduring the horrors of trench warfare. After the war, he returned to civilian life and worked as a plumber for many years. Patch became a public figure in his later life, advocating for peace and sharing his wartime experiences to educate younger generations. He was awarded several medals for his service, including the British War Medal. At the time of his death in 2009 at age 111, he was the oldest surviving veteran of WWI. Patch's longevity and dedication to pacifism inspired many, and he is remembered as a symbol of a fading era. His life story underscores the personal cost of conflict and the value of reconciliation.