Iwo Jima - although not strictly a stepping stone it gave the US an airbase that was reasonably far forward and at the same time deprived the Japanese of an airbase allowing bombing raids on mainland Japan to proceed with less interference.
Isabella d'Este was a Renaissance figure who was a valued advisor to her husband, the ruler of Mantua, and took charge of the court after he retired.
He doesn’t.He kills himself thinking she’s dead so he’ll die besides her as a way to see her in heaven.