August 17

Li Shouzhen (died 949) served as military governor of Huguo and Bingzhou circuits during the Five Dynasties era. After the fall of Later Jin in 947, he refused to submit to the new Later Han regime and declared himself Prince of Qi. His rebellion initially secured territory but was ultimately crushed by forces led by Guo Wei. Facing defeat, Li Shouzhen committed suicide in 949. His uprising exemplified the political fragmentation and turmoil of northern China in the mid-10th century.

Born in 1301 into the Nitta clan, Nitta Yoshisada became a loyal supporter of Emperor Go-Daigo during the Genkō War. In 1333, he famously led his troops in a sea-borne assault on Kamakura, toppling the Hōjō regents and ending the Kamakura shogunate. During the Kenmu Restoration, he continued to fight against rival Ashikaga forces amid internal power struggles. He was ultimately killed in battle in 1338, and his death marked the decline of his clan’s influence. Nitta is remembered for his bold military leadership and unwavering dedication to the imperial cause.

Born into the Scottish royal family, John Stewart became Earl of Buchan and served as Constable of Scotland. In 1421, he led a force of Scottish soldiers to France and secured a decisive victory at the Battle of Baugé. This success marked a significant blow to English forces and strengthened the Auld Alliance. In 1424, he faced the English again at the Battle of Verneuil, where he was killed in a crushing defeat. Stewart’s courage and tactical skill were celebrated by both Scots and French, making him a symbol of medieval chivalry and international cooperation.

Husein Gradaščević (1802–1834), known as the 'Dragon of Bosnia,' was an Ottoman Bosnian general who led a significant uprising against the centralizing reforms of the Ottoman Empire. In 1831, he rallied Bosnian nobility and peasantry to demand greater autonomy, briefly governing Bosnia as an autonomous province. His forces achieved early victories against imperial troops, but the revolt was eventually suppressed in 1832. Gradaščević's leadership fostered a sense of Bosnian national identity and resistance to external control. Though defeated, his legacy endures as a symbol of local autonomy and national pride in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Born in Yapeyú in the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata, he became a key leader in the wars for independence against Spanish rule. He crossed the Andes with his Army of the Andes in 1817 to liberate Chile and secured victory at the Battle of Chacabuco. Proclaimed the independence of Peru in 1821 and took the title Protector before resigning in favor of Simón Bolívar. Known as the 'Liberator of Argentina, Chile and Peru,' his military strategy and vision for a united South America earned him widespread respect. After weakening health and political exile, he spent his final years in France, refusing further power. He died in Boulogne-sur-Mer in 1850, venerated as a founding father of three nations. His legacy continues to inspire independence movements worldwide.

William Meade Lindsley "Billy" Fiske III was born in 1911 and won gold medals for the United States in bobsled at the 1928 and 1932 Winter Olympics. After his athletic success, he volunteered for the Royal Air Force in 1939, becoming one of the first Americans to join the RAF's Eagle Squadrons. Fiske flew Spitfires during the Battle of France, demonstrating remarkable courage and skill. He was shot down and killed in aerial combat on August 17, 1940, at the age of 29. Fiske is remembered both as a pioneering winter Olympian and a brave wartime aviator.

Reidar Haaland was born in 1919 and served as a police officer before joining the Waffen-SS following the German invasion of Norway. During the occupation, he actively participated in operations against Norwegian resistance members. After the liberation in 1945, Haaland was arrested and tried for treason and war crimes. Found guilty by a Norwegian court, he was sentenced to death and executed by firing squad on August 17, 1945. His trial and execution exemplify Norway's legal purge of wartime collaborators.

Wilhelm List was born in 1880 and embarked on a military career that spanned both World Wars. He distinguished himself in World War I, earning promotions for his tactical prowess. Recalled to service in the Wehrmacht, List commanded Army Group A during the invasions of Denmark and Norway in 1940, and later led operations in the Balkans. His leadership in Operation Barbarossa, notably on the southern front, showcased his ability to coordinate large-scale movements under harsh conditions. Despite initial successes, List’s forces faced supply challenges and staunch Soviet resistance on the Eastern Front. He was eventually relieved of command in 1942 and later stood trial for war crimes, though his legacy remains controversial. List died in 1971, leaving behind a complex record of military achievement and legal scrutiny.

Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq (1924–1988) was a Pakistani Army general who seized power in a 1977 coup, ousting Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. As Pakistan's sixth President, he introduced Sharia-based laws, altering the nation's legal and social landscape through extensive Islamization. Zia also played a pivotal role in the Soviet–Afghan War by supporting the mujahideen with U.S. and Saudi backing. His regime saw increased military influence over politics and a controversial human rights record. Zia died in a mysterious plane crash in 1988, and his rule remains a subject of debate in Pakistan's history.

Gus Winckel (1912-2013) was a Dutch lieutenant and pilot noted for his service in World War II. Flying critical reconnaissance and combat missions, he demonstrated courage and skill in challenging wartime conditions. After the conflict, Winckel contributed to training new generations of pilots and supported aviation development in his native Netherlands. He shared his experiences through public lectures and memoirs, preserving the history of early military aviation. Winckel's dedication to service and safety left a lasting mark on his country's air force.