August 05

Manuel Deodoro da Fonseca (1827–1892) was a Brazilian army officer and revolutionary leader. He played a central role in the military coup that overthrew Emperor Pedro II and declared Brazil a republic in 1889. As head of the provisional government, he became the first President of Brazil, serving from 1889 to 1891. Fonseca faced economic turmoil and political opposition during his tenure, struggling to stabilize the new republic. He resigned in 1891 amid growing unrest and returned to private life. Fonseca’s leadership marked the end of the Brazilian Empire and the establishment of republican governance.

Don Matheson (1929–2014) began his career as a U.S. Marine and later served as a police officer before turning to acting in the 1950s. He appeared in popular TV shows such as 'Adventures in Paradise,' 'Land of the Giants,' and 'Lost in Space,' earning recognition for his leading man presence. Matheson’s athletic build and commanding voice made him a natural fit for adventure and science fiction genres. In addition to acting, he worked as a stuntman and performed many of his own action scenes. He also appeared in films and guest-starred on series including 'Perry Mason' and 'Gunsmoke.' Later in life, Matheson was active in veterans’ organizations and supported Marine Corps outreach programs. He is remembered for his versatile career that spanned military service and entertainment.

Peter Inge, Baron Inge had a distinguished military career spanning over four decades. He served in various command roles, culminating in his appointment as Chief of the General Staff. Later, he became Chief of the Defence Staff, serving as the professional head of the British Armed Forces. In recognition of his leadership during post-Cold War restructuring, he was promoted to Field Marshal. He was honored as a life peer in the House of Lords and contributed to defence strategy debates. His legacy endures in the modernisation of the UK military.

Roy Benavidez enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1955 and served in the Special Forces during the Vietnam War. On May 2, 1968, despite severe injuries, he repeatedly braved heavy enemy fire to rescue fellow soldiers and airmen. His actions earned him the Medal of Honor in 1981, one of the highest recognitions for valor in U.S. military history. Over his career, he overcame multiple wounds and demonstrated remarkable resilience. After retiring, he dedicated himself to veterans' advocacy and motivational speaking. His story remains an enduring example of courage and sacrifice.

Born on August 5, 1941, Leonid Kizim trained as a fighter pilot before joining the Soviet space program. He flew on the Soyuz T-3 mission in 1980 and commanded the pioneering long-duration missions Soyuz T-10/Salyut 7 (1984) and Soyuz T-15 (1986), achieving over 374 days in orbit. Kizim's leadership aboard the Salyut stations contributed to key advances in space station operations. Promoted to Air Force general, he also served in astronaut training and public outreach. After retiring from active service, he remained involved in aerospace organizations. Kizim passed away in 2010, remembered for his record-setting missions and dedication to space exploration.