August 24

Zhang Ye rose through military ranks to become a celebrated general in northern China. He was appointed chancellor under Emperor Liu Zhiyuan of Later Han. Renowned for his strategic prowess, he led campaigns to defend the dynasty against rival states. At court, he balanced military duties with civil administration reforms. He died in 948, leaving a legacy as a skilled commander and statesman during a turbulent era.

Born in 1519 to a noble family, Coligny rose through the ranks to become Admiral of France in 1552. A convert to Protestantism, he became a leading Huguenot figure during the French Wars of Religion. He negotiated the Peace of Saint-Germain in 1570, securing concessions for the Protestant minority. Coligny's influence at court made him a target for Catholic hardliners. He was assassinated on August 24, 1572, triggering the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre. His death marked a turning point in the brutal religious conflicts that engulfed France.

Born in 1535, Téligny became a trusted envoy and military officer for the Huguenot cause. He participated in diplomatic missions that led to the Peace of Saint-Germain in 1570. As a soldier, he defended Protestant strongholds during the intermittent wars of religion. His close association with Admiral Coligny placed him in the crosshairs of Catholic factions. Captured during the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre, he was executed on August 24, 1572. His death exemplified the high stakes of faith and politics in 16th-century France.

Thomas Blood (1618–1680), nicknamed 'Colonel Blood,' was an Irish adventurer and former Parliamentarian officer best known for his audacious 1671 attempt to steal the Crown Jewels from the Tower of London. After his plot was foiled and he was captured, he was astonishingly pardoned by King Charles II and even granted land in Ireland. Blood had previously fought in the English Civil War and served various European powers, building a reputation as both a soldier and a rogue. His life was marked by bold schemes, shifting allegiances, and unexpected royal favor. Today, he is remembered as one of history's most daring and enigmatic figures.

Ewald Christian von Kleist (1715–1759) was a German nobleman who distinguished himself both as a soldier and a poet during the Enlightenment. Serving in the Prussian army, he fought in the Seven Years' War and was mortally wounded at the Battle of Kunersdorf. Alongside his military career, Kleist penned lyrical poems noted for their classical restraint, emotional depth, and celebration of nature. His most famous work, 'Der Frühling,' influenced later German writers with its elegant style. Kleist’s legacy endures as a model of the Enlightenment warrior-poet, blending martial valor with intellectual refinement.

Peggy Shippen (1760–1804), wife of General Benedict Arnold, was a Philadelphia socialite whose intelligence network significantly aided British forces during the American Revolutionary War. She facilitated secret correspondence between her husband and British commanders, influencing his decision to defect. After the plot was uncovered, Peggy and Arnold fled to British-occupied New York and eventually settled in England. Despite scandal and public outrage, she demonstrated remarkable tact in securing financial settlements for her family. Peggy's story remains a vivid example of espionage, loyalty, and intrigue in early American history.

Richard Weymouth served as a commander in the British Royal Navy during the early 19th century. While specific records of his service are scarce, he achieved the rank of Commander and contributed to Britain’s naval dominance after the Napoleonic Wars. Weymouth would have been responsible for overseeing ship operations and managing a crew at sea. His career reflects the professional dedication of naval officers during a period of rapid technological and strategic change. He passed away on August 24, 1832, leaving an understated mark on naval history.

John Ordronaux was a soldier of French and American heritage who served during a transformative period in the early 1800s. Although detailed records of his military career are limited, his life reflects the complex loyalties of post-Revolutionary and Napoleonic eras. Ordronaux would have trained and led men in the field, exemplifying the discipline expected of officers of his time. His dual identity highlights the interconnected histories of France and the United States during this era. He died on August 24, 1841, leaving few personal documents but a testament to the many transatlantic military figures of his generation.

Born in 1902, Ettore Muti gained fame as a daring aviator, setting speed records and participating in pioneering long-distance flights in the 1920s. A staunch supporter of Mussolini, he joined the National Fascist Party and rose to high office, serving as Secretary of the party and governor of Tripolitania. Known for his charismatic persona and adventurous spirit, Muti embodied the regime's ideals of modernity and heroism. His mysterious death in 1943 remains a subject of debate. Muti's life reflects the entanglement of aviation milestones and political ambition in interwar Italy.

Born in 1894 in Tiflis, Russia, Alexander de Seversky began his career as a naval pilot in World War I before emigrating to the United States in 1923. He became a celebrated test pilot and wrote the influential book 'Victory Through Air Power', advocating strategic bombing. In 1939, he co-founded Seversky Aircraft, later reorganized as Republic Aviation, which produced iconic fighters like the P-47 Thunderbolt. His combination of military experience and business acumen left a lasting mark on American aviation. De Seversky remained active in aerospace until his death in 1974.

Born in 1912 in Hirschberg, Germany, Hanna Reitsch became one of the first female glider pilots before World War II. She set multiple world records in gliding and was selected by the Luftwaffe as a test pilot for experimental aircraft, including rocket-powered planes. Reitsch reportedly flew into Berlin in 1945 to meet Adolf Hitler and was awarded the Iron Cross. After the war, she continued flying and later toured as a demonstration pilot. Reitsch wrote several books about her experiences before her death in 1979.

Rocco A. Petrone was born in 1926 in Amsterdam, New York. He graduated from West Point and served as a US Army officer before joining NASA in 1960. Petrone became Director of Launch Operations, overseeing the Saturn V launches for Apollo missions. His rigorous management style ensured the success of Apollo 11’s historic moon landing launch. After leaving NASA, he led the U.S. Space & Rocket Center and taught at universities. Petrone passed away in 2006, remembered for his pivotal role in America’s space achievements.