The historical figure known for uniting Italy is Giuseppe Garibaldi. He was a key leader in the Italian unification movement during the 19th century, known as the Risorgimento. Garibaldi is celebrated for his military campaigns and his charismatic leadership, particularly during the Expedition of the Thousand in 1860, which led to the annexation of Sicily and southern Italy. His efforts, alongside those of other key figures, including Count Camillo di Cavour and King Victor Emmanuel II, played a vital role in the eventual unification of various independent states into what is now the modern nation of Italy.