January 09

Born in 1236 in Luling, Wen Tianxiang rose through the imperial examinations to become a high-ranking official and military commander. He led Song forces in defense of the southern empire against Mongol invaders and won renown for his bravery at key battles. Captured in 1278 after the fall of Xiangyang, he steadfastly refused to serve the new Yuan dynasty and was imprisoned by Kublai Khan. Wen composed moving poems and essays, including the famous 'Song of Righteousness,' expressing unwavering loyalty to the fallen Song. Executed in 1283, he was later venerated as a national hero and exemplar of filial piety and patriotism.

Born in 1405 as a member of the powerful Neville family, William Neville gained military experience fighting in France under King Henry V. With the outbreak of the Wars of the Roses, he sided with the Yorkists and distinguished himself at the First Battle of St Albans in 1455. His loyalty and service were honored by Edward IV, who created him Earl of Kent in 1461. Neville continued to lead royal forces in several campaigns, commanding troops at key battles against Lancastrian foes. He died in 1463, remembered as a capable commander whose career reflected the shifting allegiances of 15th-century England.

Guillaume du Bellay (c.1491–1543) was a French general and diplomat of the du Bellay noble family. Born into a prominent Gascon family, he began his military career fighting in the Italian Wars. He distinguished himself at the Battle of Marignano and later served as ambassador to Rome and England, securing key alliances for King Francis I. A humanist, he corresponded with Erasmus and supported literary figures at the French court. Du Bellay played a pivotal role in the negotiations of the Treaty of Crépy, though he died before its conclusion. His memoirs provide valuable insights into 16th-century diplomacy and warfare. Remembered for balancing military leadership with cultural patronage, he helped shape the French Renaissance.

Amago Haruhisa (1514–1561) was a Japanese daimyo of the Sengoku period and head of the Amago clan in Izumo Province. Grandson and successor of Tsunehisa, he continued his predecessor's efforts to maintain regional autonomy. Haruhisa fortified Tsuwano and Gassan-Toda Castles and engaged in protracted struggles against the powerful Mōri clan. Known for his administrative reforms, he encouraged agriculture and castle town development. His defeat at the siege of Gassan-Toda in 1560 marked the end of his clan's dominance in the region. Haruhisa died the following year, leaving a legacy of resilience and strategic innovation during a turbulent era of Japanese history.

Nicolas Durand de Villegaignon (1510–1571) was a French naval officer and admiral who spearheaded early overseas colonial efforts. In 1555, he led an expedition to Brazil, establishing Fort Coligny near present-day Rio de Janeiro and founding the short-lived colony of France Antarctique. The settlement aimed to provide refuge for Huguenots but was beset by internal religious disputes and conflict with Portuguese forces. Villegaignon returned to France in 1558 amid controversy over Calvinist doctrines he encountered. He continued his naval career, fighting in conflicts against the Habsburgs. His legacy endures in the history of European colonization and religious tensions of the 16th century.

Jean Étienne Championnet was a notable French general during the Revolutionary Wars. He earned distinction leading campaigns in the Italian theater in the mid-1790s. Championnet played a key role in subduing the Kingdom of Naples in 1798 and briefly governed the region. His command combined strategic skill with a reputation for bold tactics. He also helped suppress royalist revolts upon returning to France. Championnet died of illness in 1800 while on campaign in Switzerland.

Shigekazu Shimazaki was a Japanese admiral and aviator in the Imperial Japanese Navy who advanced carrier-based flight operations. Born in 1908, he graduated from the Naval Academy before training as one of Japan’s early naval pilots. Shimazaki held command positions aboard aircraft carriers and helped develop tactics for air-sea warfare. He was known for his strategic insight during naval exercises and his advocacy for expanded naval aviation capabilities. During the Pacific War, he served in leadership roles that shaped carrier task force deployments. His contributions influenced Japan’s naval doctrine during a critical period of military aviation development. Shimazaki died in 1945, leaving a legacy as a pioneer in naval air power.

Imi Lichtenfeld was born in Bratislava, then part of Austria-Hungary, in 1910 and excelled in wrestling and boxing. He emigrated to Palestine in the 1930s, teaching physical education and training Haganah fighters. Drawing on street fighting and martial arts, he developed Krav Maga to address real-world threats. As chief instructor for Israeli defense forces and police, he refined techniques for efficiency and practicality. After retiring, Lichtenfeld introduced Krav Maga to civilians worldwide, establishing training organizations. He died on January 9, 1998, and is remembered as the father of a global self-defense discipline.