Ernesto Teodoro Moneta

Ernesto Teodoro Moneta (September 20, 1833 – February 10, 1918) was an Italian journalist, nationalist, revolutionary soldier, and later a peaceful leader. He fought for Italy's freedom when he was just 15 years old during the Five Days of Milan in 1848 against Austrian rule. He also joined famous fighter Garibaldi’s Expedition of the Thousand and fought in the Italian army against the Austrians in 1866.

Later in life, Moneta became a strong voice for peace around the world. He worked to help create groups that stood for ending wars and having countries talk instead of fight. He helped start the Lombard Association for Peace and Arbitration, which wanted countries to disarm and imagine a world where a League of Nations and a Permanent Court of Arbitration could help solve problems.

For his work for peace, Moneta was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1907, sharing it with Louis Renault. His motto, “In varietate unitas!” meaning “In diversity, unity,” later inspired the motto of the European Union.