January 03

Richard Gridley was born in 1710 in Windham, Connecticut, and began his career as an engineer in the British colonial militia. At the outbreak of the American Revolution, he was appointed chief engineer of the Continental Army by George Washington. Gridley supervised the construction of fortifications on Breed’s Hill prior to the Battle of Bunker Hill and later oversaw the dramatic placement of cannons on Dorchester Heights, which forced the British evacuation of Boston. His skill in siege warfare and artillery placement earned him the reputation of being the engineer who helped win independence. After the war, he returned to civilian life but remained a respected figure in military engineering. He died in 1796, leaving a legacy as one of America’s first military engineers.

Angelo Emo was born in Venice in 1731 into a noble family with a long maritime tradition. Rising through the ranks of the Venetian navy, he became captain-general in 1783 and embarked on successful campaigns against the Barbary pirates. Emo introduced new naval tactics and ship designs that modernized Venice’s fleet. He negotiated critical treaties to protect Mediterranean trade and championed administrative reforms within the Admiralty. His leadership during a time of declining Venetian power earned him lasting acclaim. Angelo Emo died in 1792, remembered for his strategic vision and commitment to his republic’s maritime legacy.

Sakamoto Ryōma (1836–1867) was a visionary Japanese samurai and revolutionary leader during the Bakumatsu period. He brokered the Satchō Alliance between Satsuma and Chōshū domains, uniting powerful clans against the Tokugawa shogunate. Ryōma advocated for modernization and a parliamentary government, envisioning a unified Japan open to the world. He helped draft the provisional constitution and promoted the establishment of a national navy. Despite his assassination at age 31, his ideas influenced the Meiji Restoration and Japan's emergence as a modern state. Ryōma remains a celebrated figure in Japanese history and popular culture, symbolizing bravery and progress.

Born in 1912, Federico Borrell García worked as a farm laborer before joining the Republican militia during the Spanish Civil War. On September 5, 1936, while fighting near Cerro Muriano, he was captured at the moment of his death by photographer Robert Capa in the image known as 'The Falling Soldier'. The photograph became a powerful symbol of the war's human cost. Borrell García’s legacy endures through this image, embodying the sacrifices made during the conflict.

Born in Boston in 1915, Jack Levine became a leading figure in American social realism. His paintings and lithographs offered biting critiques of political corruption and social inequality. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army’s art unit, creating works that documented the conflict. Levine’s major pieces, such as 'The Feast of Pure Reason', are celebrated for their vivid characters and moral commentary. He exhibited at major museums and continued painting into his 90s, passing away in 2010.

Born in 1933 in Germany, Rolf Steiner served as a mercenary commander in several African theaters, notably during the Biafran War in Nigeria and later conflicts in Uganda and Sudan. Known for his charismatic leadership and controversial tactics, he organized and trained local troops. His actions drew international attention to the role of foreign fighters in post-colonial conflicts. Steiner's career highlights the complexities of Cold War–era proxy engagements in Africa.