Milan Rastislav Štefánik

Milan Rastislav Štefánik was a Slovak-born astronomer, politician, and military leader who played a crucial role in Slovakia's independence. During World War I, he served as a general in the French army and helped form Czechoslovakia, working alongside Tomáš Masaryk to establish a new nation for Czechs and Slovaks. He was a key diplomat and politician, advocating for national self-determination and unity. Tragically, he died in an airplane crash in 1919, but his efforts significantly contributed to the creation of Czechoslovakia as an independent state.