November 11

Petronas served as a leading general in the mid-9th century Byzantine military. He is best known for his decisive victory against Arab forces at the Battle of Lalakaon in 863. This victory halted Arab incursions into Byzantine territory. He held high military rank and was instrumental in securing the empire’s eastern borders. Petronas died in 865, leaving a legacy as one of Byzantium’s effective commanders.

Gerald FitzGerald succeeded as the 14th Earl of Desmond in 1565 and became a prominent force in Munster. He opposed the Tudor conquest of Ireland and led a series of rebellions against English authorities. Using guerrilla tactics and leveraging local support, he resisted the imposition of English law and customs. FitzGerald joined forces with other Irish chieftains and foreign allies in an attempt to secure Irish independence. His resistance culminated in the Desmond Rebellions, marked by brutal campaigns on both sides. Despite initial successes, he was ultimately betrayed, captured, and executed in 1583. His defiance made him a symbol of Irish resistance and inspired future generations in their struggle for autonomy.

George Lawrence Price enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force and served with distinction on the Western Front. He was fatally shot in the Belgian town of Ville-sur-Haine at 10:58 AM on November 11, 1918, two minutes before the official ceasefire. His death marked the final Commonwealth casualty of the Great War. Price was 26 years old at the time of his death. He is commemorated by a memorial plaque and cemetery in Belgium. His story symbolizes the tragic loss of life that continued until the very last moments of the conflict.

Muhittin Akyüz was born in 1870 in the Ottoman Empire and received military training at the Ottoman Military Academy. He served as an officer in the Italo-Turkish War and the Balkan Wars, demonstrating leadership on multiple fronts. During World War I, he commanded troops in critical battles. After the war, Akyüz joined the diplomatic corps of the newly founded Republic of Turkey, representing his country abroad. He helped shape military and foreign policy during a turbulent period of national reformation. Akyüz passed away in 1940, remembered for his contributions to the modern Turkish state.

Born in 1876, Behiç Erkin began his career as an officer in the Ottoman army and later took part in the Turkish War of Independence. Following the establishment of the Republic of Turkey, he held key military and administrative roles, including leadership positions in national infrastructure projects. In the 1950s, he was appointed Minister of Environment and Urban Planning, overseeing early efforts at urban development and conservation. Erkin earned respect for his organizational skills and dedication to modernizing Turkey's institutions. He remained influential in public affairs until his death on November 11, 1961.

Charles Groves Wright Anderson was born in South Africa in 1897 and later moved to Australia. He enlisted in the Australian Army and rose to command the 2/3rd Machine Gun Battalion during the North African campaign. Anderson's leadership and courage at battles such as Bardia and Tobruk earned him the Distinguished Service Order and Military Cross. After the war, he transitioned to politics and served in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, advocating for veterans and rural communities. His combined military honors and public service highlighted a lifelong commitment to duty and country. Anderson's legacy endures in both military history and civic life.

John A. Volpe (1908–1994) was an American soldier and politician who rose to prominence in public service. After serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, he transitioned into politics and was elected Governor of Massachusetts. As the state’s 61st Governor, Volpe focused on modernizing infrastructure, expanding educational opportunities, and stimulating economic growth. His governance style combined disciplined leadership with a dedication to community development. Volpe’s efforts left a lasting imprint on the state’s roadways, schools, and public institutions. He is remembered for bridging military experience with a forward-looking political vision.

Frank Brimsek was born in Eveleth, Minnesota and rose to prominence with the Boston Bruins beginning in 1938. Nicknamed "Mr. Zero" for his shutout-record pace, he quickly became one of the NHL's elite goaltenders. He won back-to-back Vezina Trophies in his first two seasons and captured two Stanley Cup titles with the Bruins. Brimsek represented the United States at the 1936 Winter Olympics, earning a silver medal. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy before returning to hockey. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1966 and remains celebrated as one of the sport's early legends.

Mustafa Şekip Birgöl was a Turkish military officer who served as a colonel in the Turkish Army. He was one of the last surviving veterans of the Turkish War of Independence (1919–1923). Birgöl also took part in subsequent conflicts including the Greco-Turkish War. His military career spanned several decades and key moments in Turkey's early republican history. He was honored nationally for his service and dedication to the country. Birgöl died in 2008 at the age of 105, and his life bridged the Ottoman and modern Turkish eras.

Born in 1926, Rex Hunt began his career as a pilot in the Royal Air Force before joining the British diplomatic service. In 1980, he was appointed Governor of the Falkland Islands, where he became a vocal advocate for the islanders’ rights amid Argentine sovereignty claims. Hunt’s warnings about an impending conflict were initially overlooked by London but proved prescient after the 1982 Argentine invasion. His leadership during the crisis and his efforts to maintain morale among residents were widely praised. Following his return to Britain, Hunt remained a popular broadcaster and commentator on maritime and defense issues. He died in 2012, remembered for his steadfast defense of the Falklands and his engaging public presence.