Jan van Speijk was a Dutch naval officer born on January 6, 1802, in Amsterdam. He is best known for his heroic actions during the Belgian Revolution in 1831. Van Speijk commanded the Dutch warship HNLMS Evertsen and famously chose to blow up his ship rather than surrender to Belgian forces. His act of defiance made him a national hero in the Netherlands, symbolizing bravery and patriotism. After his death on February 5, 1831, he was commemorated in various ways, including monuments and naval vessels named in his honor, solidifying his legacy in Dutch history.