Global political history

Global political history from 3000 BC to the 21st century – political leaders, elections, and more.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization

Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Hastings Lionel “Pug” Ismay, 1st Baron Ismay

Date of birth/date of death: b. February 20 1887; d. December 30 1967

Titles of nobility: Baron Ismay in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1947 – 1965).

Military ranks: Promoted to major-general, 1939. Promoted to lieutenant-general, 1942. Promoted to general, 1944.

1952 – 1957

Chair of the NATO Military Committee
General Omar Nelson Bradley

Date of birth/date of death: b. February 12 1893; d. April 8 1981

Military ranks: Promoted to Brigadier General, 1941. Promoted to Major General, 1942. Promoted to Lieutenant General, 1943. Promoted to General, 1945. Promoted to General of the Army, 1950.

1949 – 1951


Supreme Allied Commander Europe
General of the Army Dwight David Eisenhower

Date of birth/date of death: b. October 14 1890; d. March 28 1969

Military ranks: Promoted to Brigadier General, 1941. Promoted to Major General, 1942. Promoted to Lieutenant General, 1942. Promoted to General, 1943. Promoted to General of the Army, 1944.

1951 – 1952

General Lauris Norstad

Date of birth/date of death: b. March 24 1907; d. September 12 1988.

Military ranks: Promoted to Brigadier General, 1943. Promoted to Major General, 1945. Promoted to Lieutenant General, 1947. Promoted to General, 1952.

1958 – 1963


Commander Allied Rapid Reaction Corps
Lieutenant-General Sir Francis Richard Dannatt

Date of birth/date of death: b. December 23 1950.

Military ranks: Promoted to major-general, 1994. Promoted to lieutenant-general, 2003. Promoted to general, 2005.

2003 – 2005


Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe
Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery, 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein

Date of birth/date of death: b. November 17 1887; d. March 24 1976

Titles of nobility: Viscount Montgomery of Alamein in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1946 – 1976).

Military ranks: Promoted to major-general, 1938. Promoted to lieutenant-general, 1941. Promoted to general, 1942. Promoted to field marshal, 1944.

1951 – 1958

Supreme Commander Allied Expeditionary Force
General of the Army Dwight David Eisenhower

Date of birth/date of death: b. October 14 1890; d. March 28 1969

Military ranks: Promoted to Brigadier General, 1941. Promoted to Major General, 1942. Promoted to Lieutenant General, 1942. Promoted to General, 1943. Promoted to General of the Army, 1944.

1944 – 1945

Supreme Commander Allied Force Headquarters
General Sir Henry Maitland Wilson

Date of birth/date of death: b. September 5 1881; d. December 31 1964

Titles of nobility: Baron Wilson in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1946 – 1964).

Military ranks: Promoted to major-general, 1935. Promoted to lieutenant-general, 1939. Promoted to general, 1941. Promoted to field marshal, 1944.

1944

Field Marshal Sir Harold Rupert Leofric George Alexander

Date of birth/date of death: b. December 10 1891; d. June 16 1969

Titles of nobility: Viscount Alexander of Tunis in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1946 – 1969); Earl Alexander of Tunis in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1952 – 1969).

Military ranks: Promoted to major-general, 1937. Promoted to lieutenant-general, 1938. Promoted to general, 1942. Promoted to field marshal, 1944.

1944 – 1945

Air Commander-in-Chief Mediterranean Allied Air Forces
Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur William Tedder

Date of birth/date of death: b. November 11 1885; d. December 21 1945

Titles of nobility: Baron Tedder in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1946 – 1967).

Military ranks: Promoted to air vice marshal, 1937. Promoted to air chief marshal, 1943. Promoted to Marshal of the Royal Air Force, 1945.

1943 – 1944