October 20

Claude, Duke of Guise, was a French nobleman who established one of the most powerful families in Renaissance France. Born in 1496, he served as a military commander under Kings Francis I and Henry II. He founded the House of Guise, which would become central to French politics and the Catholic League. A patron of the arts, he commissioned grand residences in Paris and Lorraine. His strategic marriages and military successes bolstered his family's status, leaving a legacy that shaped French sectarian conflicts in the Wars of Religion.

Jean Nicolas Arthur Rimbaud was born in Charleville in 1854 and became a literary prodigy before his teenage years. His poems, characterized by vivid imagery and bold experimentation, broke from traditional forms and inspired the Symbolist movement. Rimbaud’s intense partnership with fellow poet Paul Verlaine and his publication of A Season in Hell cemented his reputation. In 1870, Rimbaud briefly served in the Franco-Prussian War, an experience that contrasted sharply with his artistic pursuits. At twenty, he abruptly abandoned literature and traveled to Africa, seeking new horizons. Rimbaud died in 1891, but his radical poetry continues to resonate with readers and writers worldwide.

Yi Un (1897–1970) was the last crown prince of Korea and later a South Korean army general. Educated in Japan, he served in the Imperial Japanese Army before World War II. After Korea's liberation, he returned to South Korea and joined its military forces. Yi Un played a key role in organizing the new nation's defense during its early years. Though his career was shaped by colonial and wartime upheavals, he remained dedicated to Korean sovereignty. He retired with honors and advocated for veterans' welfare. As a symbol of Korea's transition, his life bridged monarchy, colonial rule, and modern statehood.

Ants Kaljurand joined the Forest Brothers resistance movement in Estonia during World War II, engaging in guerrilla warfare against Soviet forces. Known by the code name 'Ants the Terrible,' he led daring raids and sabotaged Soviet supply lines. After a brief period of Nazi collaboration under coercion, he returned to anti-Soviet activities, refusing to accept occupation. Captured in 1951, Kaljurand was executed by Soviet authorities, becoming a symbol of Estonian resistance. His story has been commemorated in books and memorials, reflecting the complex struggles of Baltic partisans during the Cold War.

Martin Drewes joined the Luftwaffe in the late 1930s and served as a pilot in night fighter units throughout World War II. Flying the Messerschmitt Bf 110, he claimed at least 52 nocturnal aerial victories, becoming one of Germany’s top night aces. Awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross for his combat achievements, Drewes survived intense Allied bombing campaigns. After the war, he rejoined the newly formed West German Air Force, eventually retiring with the rank of colonel. His memoirs and interviews provided insights into night air combat tactics and the psychological challenges faced by night fighter crews.

Born in 1925 in New York City, Art Buchwald enlisted in the Army in 1943 and served in the Pacific theater. After the war, he studied journalism at Columbia University and began writing humor columns. Buchwald's witty commentary appeared in The Washington Post, making him a household name. He won the Pulitzer Prize in 1982 for his satirical take on politics and culture. His books and humor sketches influenced generations of comedians until his death in 2007.