August 15

Born in 1385 into the influential de Vere family, Richard inherited the earldom at a young age. He led English forces in France under King Henry V, playing a key role in campaigns such as the siege of Harfleur. He held the office of Lord Great Chamberlain and was a trusted royal adviser. Despite the challenges of war and court politics, he maintained his family's prominence. He died in 1417, remembered for his martial prowess.

Born in Corsica in 1769, Napoleon Bonaparte trained as an artillery officer at the École Militaire in Paris. He rose rapidly through the ranks during the French Revolution, distinguishing himself in Italy and Egypt. In 1799, he orchestrated a coup d'état and became First Consul of France, later crowning himself Emperor in 1804. His military campaigns during the Napoleonic Wars expanded French influence across Europe, while his administrative reforms, including the Napoleonic Code, reshaped legal systems. Napoleon’s legacy includes modernizing government, education, and infrastructure. After a series of defeats, he was exiled first to Elba and then to Saint Helena, where he died in 1821. He remains one of history’s most studied and debated figures.

Sangolli Rayanna was an Indian warrior born on August 15, 1798, in Karnataka. A loyal commander under Queen Chennamma of Kittur, he fiercely resisted British colonial forces. After Kittur's annexation in 1824, he organized guerrilla campaigns and rallied local peasants. His tactical prowess and leadership inspired widespread resistance across the region. Captured in 1831, Rayanna was executed and became a martyr for Indian independence. He remains a symbol of courage and patriotism in Karnataka's history.

Born in 1876, Stylianos Gonatas graduated from the Hellenic Military Academy and served in the Balkan Wars and World War I. In 1922, he led a military revolt following the Asia Minor defeat and became the head of the revolutionary government. As Prime Minister from 1922 to 1924, he presided over trials of former leaders and helped establish the Second Hellenic Republic. After retiring from politics, he remained an influential figure in Greek public life. His leadership marked a critical turning point in modern Greek history.

Born in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1931, Ernest C. Brace served as an Air Force captain before joining a civilian airline as a pilot. In 1965, his plane was shot down over Laos, leading to a nine-year ordeal as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam. Despite brutal conditions, Brace organized multiple escape attempts, demonstrating remarkable courage and leadership among fellow captives. After his release in 1973, he became an advocate for veterans' rights and shared his experiences in lectures and interviews. Brace was awarded the Silver Star and other military honors for his valor. His memoir provides a harrowing account of endurance under captivity. He returned to flying after the war and passed away in 2014, remembered as a hero and survivor.

Valentin Varlamov was born in 1934 and served as an officer in the Soviet Air Force, specializing in high-performance jet aircraft. In the 1960s, he was selected as an instructor at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center, where he trained the first generation of Soviet cosmonauts in flight techniques, spacecraft operations, and survival skills. He developed rigorous training regimens that prepared candidates for the rigors of spaceflight and contributed to the USSR’s early successes in crewed missions. Known for his technical expertise and unwavering discipline, Varlamov played a pivotal role in shaping the training protocols still used by space agencies today. He passed away in 1980 but left a lasting legacy in human space exploration.

Simon Hart is a British Conservative politician and former military officer who has represented Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire in the UK Parliament since 2010. Born in 1963, he attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and served with the Welsh Guards, rising to the rank of Major. After leaving the Army, he worked in public affairs and communications before entering politics. In Parliament, Hart has held roles on the Welsh Affairs Committee and was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales in 2022. He is known for advocating rural issues, defense, and veterans’ affairs, drawing on his military background. Hart’s blend of service experience and political leadership has earned him recognition as a dedicated public servant committed to his constituents.