17 Facts About Sandro Pertini

Sandro Pertini obtained a law degree from the University of Genoa.

Aged 19 when Italy entered World War I on the side of the Triple Entente, Sandro Pertini opposed the war, but nonetheless enlisted in the army where he served as a lieutenant and was decorated for bravery.

Sandro Pertini was physically beaten by Fascist squads on several occasions, but never lost faith in his ideals.

Sandro Pertini remained in the country until 1926 working as a mason.

Sandro Pertini then travelled north to organize partisan war as an executive member of PSI.

Sandro Pertini had a primary role in the Milan uprising of 25 April 1945, which led to the execution of Mussolini.

In spite of his intransigent attitude toward the Italian Communist Party, Sandro Pertini was suspicious of many policies enforced by the PSI.

Sandro Pertini criticized all forms of colonialism, as well as corruption in the Italian state and within the Socialist Party, where he kept an independent political position.

Sandro Pertini was elected president of the Italian Chamber of Deputies in 1968.

In 1978, the 81-year-old Sandro Pertini was elected President of the Italian Republic, the highest office in the nation.

In 1981, Sandro Pertini presided over the formation of the government by Giovanni Spadolini, the first non Christian Democratic Italian government since the time of De Gasperi.

In December 1988 Sandro Pertini was the first person to be awarded the Otto Hahn Peace Medal in Gold by the United Nations Association of Germany in Berlin, "for outstanding services to peace and international understanding, especially for his political ethics and practical humanity".

Sandro Pertini died in February 1990 at the age of 93 and was mourned across the nation.

Sandro Pertini attended the 1982 World Cup Final in Madrid for a match between Italy and West Germany just two days after the fourth anniversary of his inauguration.

Memorable images from the event are Sandro Pertini standing on his chair at Santiago Bernabeu stadium, exulting in the Italian victory, and the card game on the return flight, between the president and three team members, the world cup trophy next to them on the table.

Sandro Pertini had a close friendship with Pope John Paul II, with whom he met often both for official and private occasions, and had frequent phone conversations.

Sandro Pertini recalled the event later that year in the annual New Year's Eve Presidential Address to the Italian People.