Tadeusz Kościuszko was a Polish-Lithuanian military engineer and leader born on February 4, 1746. He is best known for his role in the American Revolutionary War, where he served as a colonel and contributed to the fortifications at West Point. His expertise in military engineering helped the American forces secure key victories against the British. In addition to his contributions in America, Kościuszko is celebrated for leading the Kościuszko Uprising in 1794, which aimed to liberate Poland from foreign domination. He is remembered as a national hero in both Poland and the United States for his dedication to freedom and democracy.