Queen of Gond
Queen of Gond
Warrior queen of the Gond kingdom celebrated for her resistance against Mughal expansion.
Born in 1524, Durgavati became the ruler of Gondwana after her husband’s death and governed her realm with wisdom and courage. Known for her exceptional leadership, she fortified her capital and maintained diplomatic relations with neighboring states. In 1564, she led her forces against the Mughal army of Emperor Akbar, defending her territory in a valiant but ultimately fatal battle. Her bravery and sacrifice made her a legendary figure in Indian history. Stories of her devotion to her people and fearless resistance endure in regional folklore. Durgavati’s legacy continues to inspire narratives of female heroism and sovereignty.
1524
Rani Durgavati
American admiral, Medal of Honor recipient
American admiral
Medal of Honor recipient
American submarine commander and U.S. Navy rear admiral awarded the Medal of Honor for extraordinary heroism during World War II.
Born in 1913 in Washington, D.C.; graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1935.
Commanded USS Barb, pioneering aggressive submarine tactics against Japanese shipping during World War II.
Led a daring torpedo attack in 1944 that included the first submarine-launched rocket attack.
Awarded the Medal of Honor for sinking 17 enemy ships and conducting raids on enemy soil.
Achieved the rank of rear admiral after the war and served in various Navy leadership roles.
Retired in 1969 and later wrote memoirs chronicling his wartime exploits.
Died in 2007, remembered as one of the most decorated U.S. submariners.
1913
Eugene B. Fluckey
Medal of Honor
Chinese general and politician
Chinese general and politician
Chinese general who served as Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission and held senior leadership positions in the People’s Liberation Army.
Born in 1914 in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China.
Joined the Red Army in the 1930s and fought in the Long March and the Second Sino-Japanese War.
Rose through the ranks to become a general in the People’s Liberation Army.
Served as Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission from 1985 to 1997, overseeing military modernization.
Held political office in the Chinese Communist Party and contributed to defense policy.
Retired from active duty in the late 1990s and lived to the age of 100.
Died in Beijing in 2015, remembered as a key leader in the PLA.
1914
Zhang Zhen
Israeli general
Israeli general
Israeli Defense Forces general noted for his leadership during the Six-Day War and Yom Kippur War.
Avraham Adan served as a combat officer in the Israeli army from its early days, commanding the renowned 7th Armored Brigade that broke through enemy lines to reach Jerusalem in the Six-Day War of 1967. He later held key command positions during the Yom Kippur War in 1973, directing armored operations on the southern front. Adan’s strategic acumen and courage earned him widespread respect and the nickname 'Bren' among his troops. After retiring from active duty, he contributed to veteran affairs and authored books on military history. His career left a lasting legacy in the Israel Defense Forces.
1926
Avraham Adan
Ukrainian general, pilot, and cosmonaut
Ukrainian general
pilot
and cosmonaut
Ukrainian Air Force general and pioneering cosmonaut, the first Ukrainian to orbit the Earth.
Born in 1930 in Uzyn, Ukrainian SSR, Pavel Popovich trained as a test pilot before his selection to the first group of Soviet cosmonauts.
In August 1962, he commanded Vostok 4, becoming the fourth human and the first Ukrainian to orbit Earth.
His mission demonstrated the Soviet Union's capability for simultaneous spaceflights alongside Vostok 3.
Popovich later rose to the rank of Major General in the Soviet Air Force and led cosmonaut training programs.
He was twice awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union for his contributions to space exploration.
After retiring from active duty, he dedicated himself to aerospace education and public outreach.
Popovich passed away in 2009, leaving a legacy as a pioneering figure in human spaceflight.
1930
Pavel Popovich
Russian-Chechen general and politician, 3rd President of the Chechen Republic
Russian-Chechen general and politician
3rd President of the Chechen Republic
Russian-Chechen politician and former militia commander serving as the Head of the Chechen Republic since 2007.
Ramzan Akhmadovich Kadyrov was born on October 5, 1976 in Tsentoroy, Chechnya. He is the son of former Chechen President Akhmad Kadyrov and rose to prominence after leading militia forces during the Second Chechen War. In 2007, he was appointed President of the Chechen Republic, a position he has held through successive terms. His tenure has been marked by efforts to rebuild Chechnya's infrastructure and economy following years of conflict. However, his administration has faced criticism and allegations of human rights abuses and suppression of political opposition. Kadyrov maintains close ties to the Kremlin and President Vladimir Putin, securing significant federal support for the region.
1976
Ramzan Kadyrov
President of the Chechen Republic