September 02

Simeón Ola was born in 1865 in Sorsogon Province and became a general in the Philippine Revolution against Spanish colonial rule. He continued resistance during the Philippine–American War, leading guerrilla campaigns in southeastern Luzon. Ola was one of the last Filipino commanders to surrender in 1903, demonstrating his commitment to Philippine independence. Following the conflict, he entered politics and served his province as governor, promoting agricultural development and education. His life exemplifies the transition from revolutionary leader to statesman in early Filipino governance.

Werner von Blomberg was born into a noble family in 1878 and rose through the ranks of the German Army to become a field marshal in 1936. As Minister of War, he played a key role in rebuilding Germany’s military following World War I restrictions. Blomberg was instrumental in developing the Wehrmacht and forging alliances with political leaders in the Nazi regime. His career ended abruptly in 1938 after a scandal that forced his resignation. Blomberg’s tenure highlights the complex relationship between the military and politics in pre–World War II Germany.

Fazlollah Zahedi was born in 1897 into a prominent military family and rose to the rank of brigadier general. He played a pivotal role in the 1953 CIA- and MI6-backed coup that overthrew Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh. Following the coup, he served as Iran’s Prime Minister from 1953 to 1955 under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Zahedi focused on consolidating the Shah’s power and reversing Mossadegh’s oil nationalization policies. He later retired from politics but remained an influential figure in the Pahlavi regime. He died in 1963, and his legacy continues to shape discussions of Iran’s modern history.

Mathieu Kérékou was born in 1933 in Kouarfa, Dahomey (now Benin), and joined the military in 1960. He seized power in a coup in 1972 and ruled under a Marxist-Leninist government until 1991. After a democratic transition, Kérékou returned to the presidency through elections in 1996 and served until 2006. His leadership oversaw economic reforms, multiparty politics, and international engagement that shaped modern Benin. Known for his pragmatic approach, he shifted the country from socialist policies to market-oriented reforms. Kérékou remained an influential figure in West African politics until his death in 2015.

Ahmad Shah Massoud was born in the Panjshir Valley and studied engineering at Kabul University before joining the Afghan resistance. He emerged as a key Mujahideen commander in the 1980s, leading successful campaigns against Soviet forces. In 1992, Massoud briefly served as Afghanistan's Minister of Defense under the interim government. As leader of the Northern Alliance, he united diverse groups to oppose the Taliban regime. Known for his strategic brilliance and commitment to civilian protection, he defended the Panjshir Valley in multiple assaults. Massoud was assassinated in 2001, two days before the September 11 attacks, and is revered as a national hero.