September 25

Born into the illustrious Richelieu family, he pursued a military career and fought in the French Revolutionary Wars. After a period of exile during the Revolution and Napoleonic era, he returned to France in 1814. He served briefly as Prime Minister under Louis XVIII in 1815 and again from 1818 to 1820, overseeing post-war reconstruction. Richelieu implemented economic reforms, restored royal authority, and navigated tensions between ultraroyalists and liberals. He married Lady Frances Talbot and maintained close ties with European courts while promoting French interests abroad. His balanced leadership helped stabilize France after decades of upheaval before his death in 1822.

Born into an aristocratic family, Raevsky joined the Russian army and fought under General Suvorov in the Italian and Swiss campaigns. During the Patriotic War of 1812, he commanded a division at the Battle of Borodino and other crucial engagements. Praised for his bravery and leadership, he earned promotions and the respect of Tsar Alexander I. After the wars, Raevsky served as Governor-General of multiple provinces and worked on military reforms. He married Sofia Konstantinova and his descendants became prominent in Russian military and political circles. Raevsky died in 1829, remembered as one of Russia’s greatest 19th-century military commanders.

Yevgeny Miller was a Russian general and one of the principal leaders of the White Army during the Russian Civil War. He commanded Allied-backed forces in Northern Russia and opposed Bolshevik consolidation. After the defeat of the White movement, Miller went into exile in France and continued to advocate for anti-communist causes. In 1938, he was abducted by agents of the Soviet NKVD while visiting Berlin and was taken back to the USSR. He likely died in custody shortly afterward. Miller's life exemplifies the turmoil of the Russian Revolution and the fate of many White emigres.

Plutarco Elías Calles was a key figure in the Mexican Revolution who rose to become President of Mexico from 1924 to 1928. He served as a general in Carranza's forces and later founded the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). Calles' administration implemented land reforms, educational initiatives, and measures to reduce the power of the Catholic Church. After his term, he remained the dominant power behind the presidency, a period known as the Maximato. He was exiled in 1936 due to conflicts with President Lázaro Cárdenas and spent years in the United States. Calles' leadership shaped Mexico's political landscape for much of the 20th century.

Born in 1900, Sirk served as an officer in the Estonian Army and later became a prominent lawyer. He emerged as the charismatic leader of the right-wing Vaps Movement, advocating national renewal. Under his command, the movement grew into a powerful political force during the 1930s. Sirk opposed authoritarian rule and called for constitutional reforms to expand citizen rights. After a failed coup attempt, he was forced into exile in Finland. He died in 1937 under mysterious circumstances, and his legacy remains debated in Estonian history.

John Manners served as a naval officer in the Royal Navy during World War II. Alongside his military career, he was a skilled cricketer, appearing in first-class matches for Kent and the Royal Navy team. His disciplined approach and leadership skills were evident both on the cricket field and in naval command. After retiring from active service, Manners remained involved in veterans' affairs and cricket coaching. He was celebrated for balancing a demanding military career with sporting excellence. Manners's legacy endures in naval history and English cricket records.

Robert Muldoon began his career as a naval reservist and accountant before entering politics. He rose through the National Party ranks to become Prime Minister in 1975. Muldoon was known for his strong-willed leadership and hands-on economic management style, dubbed "Muldoonism." His tenure saw significant interventions in New Zealand's economy, including wage and price controls. Despite controversy, he maintained high popularity and presided over both growth and economic challenges. After leaving office in 1984, Muldoon remained an influential figure in New Zealand politics until his death in 1992.

Robert Gates was born on September 25, 1943, in Wichita, Kansas. A career intelligence officer, he rose through the ranks of the Central Intelligence Agency before serving as its Director from 1991 to 1993. Gates later held the position of U.S. Secretary of Defense from 2006 to 2011, serving under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. During his tenure, he oversaw major military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and initiated reforms in defense policy and procurement. He also served as President of Texas A&M University, driving academic and financial growth. Gates is the author of best-selling books on leadership and national security. His pragmatic approach and bipartisan respect have solidified his legacy in American public service.

Vladimir Popovkin (1957-2014) was a Russian general and space administrator. He served in the Russian military's Aerospace Defense Forces and rose to the rank of general. In 2011, Popovkin was appointed director of Roscosmos, overseeing Russia's space exploration and satellite programs. He played a key role in modernizing Russia's space capabilities and international collaborations. Popovkin was honored as a Hero of the Russian Federation for his service. His leadership influenced the direction of the Russian space industry until his death in 2014.