November 03

Thomas Montacute was born around 1388 into the noble Montagu family. He inherited the earldom of Salisbury in 1409 and became a leading commander under King Henry V. Montacute distinguished himself at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, commanding the archers on the right flank. He later led sieges at Harfleur and Rouen, showcasing his strategic military prowess. Beyond the battlefield, he served in the royal council and helped administer English-held territories in France. He died in 1428 during the siege of Orléans, remembered as one of the chief architects of early English successes in the Hundred Years' War.

Member of the influential Köprülü family, Fazıl Ahmed Pasha became Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire in 1656. He pursued military campaigns to recover territories lost to Venice and the Habsburgs, securing key victories in Hungary. Under his leadership, the empire experienced administrative reforms that strengthened central authority. Fazıl Ahmed supported his family’s legacy of merit-based appointments, reducing corruption in the bureaucracy. His reign coincided with cultural patronage, commissioning mosques and public works in Istanbul. Despite his efforts, his health declined, and he died in office in 1676, leaving a mixed legacy of reform and conflict.

Muhammad Mansur Ali (1919-1975) was a Bangladeshi military officer and politician. He served as the third Prime Minister of Bangladesh in the turbulent year of 1975. Prior to politics, Mansur Ali held a captain's rank in the Pakistan Army. He was actively involved in the Liberation War and the early government of Bangladesh. His leadership occurred during a time of national upheaval and political change. He was assassinated on November 3, 1975.

Jerry Pentland was born in 1894 in Victoria, Australia. He enlisted in the Australian Flying Corps and flew combat missions over Europe during World War I. Pentland achieved 23 confirmed aerial victories, earning recognition as one of Australia's top aces. After the war, he continued flying in civilian and military aviation roles. He served again during World War II, sharing his experience in training new pilots. His memoirs and lectures inspired future generations of aviators.

Born in 1921, Jean-Bédel Bokassa rose through the ranks of the French colonial army to become a general. In January 1966, he led a coup that ousted President David Dacko and assumed the presidency of the Central African Republic. His initial promises of stability soon gave way to authoritarian policies and human rights abuses. In December 1976, Bokassa proclaimed himself Emperor Bokassa I of the Central African Empire in a lavish coronation. His extravagant spending and repressive rule alienated many domestic and international supporters. In 1979, he was deposed in a French-backed operation and lived in exile before returning and facing charges. He died in 1996, leaving a divisive legacy in post-colonial African leadership.

Born in 1920, Nick Cardy served as a soldier in the U.S. Army during World War II before pursuing a career in illustration. After the war, he studied art and entered the comic book industry, where he became one of DC Comics' most distinctive artists. Cardy is celebrated for his dynamic cover art and character designs on titles such as Aquaman and The Teen Titans. His bold use of color and dramatic compositions helped define the visual style of superhero comics in the 1960s and 1970s. Over a career spanning more than five decades, he influenced generations of artists and collectors alike. Cardy received multiple awards for his contributions to the medium and remained active in conventions and art workshops until his later years.

Born in 1931, Howard Coble attended the University of North Carolina and Duke University School of Law. He served as a captain in the U.S. Army Reserve before beginning his legal career. Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1984, he became known for his advocacy of maritime commerce and veterans’ issues. Coble chaired the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts and Intellectual Property and sponsored key shipping legislation. Respected for his humor and constituent service, he won 16 consecutive elections in a traditionally Democratic-leaning district. He passed away on November 3, 2015, at the age of 84.