Altiero Spinelli was an Italian politician and a key figure in the European integration movement. Born on August 31, 1907, he was a prominent advocate for a united Europe, believing that cooperation among European nations was essential for peace and stability after the devastation of World War II. Spinelli co-authored the Ventotene Manifesto in 1941, which called for a federal Europe. His ideas significantly influenced the formation of the European Union and the development of European institutions. He served as a member of the European Parliament and continued to promote federalism until his death on May 23, 1986.