Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela was born on July 18, 1918, in Mvezo, Eastern Cape province, South Africa. His mother, Nonqaphi Fanny Nosekeni, was one of the four wives of his father, Mphakanyiswa Gadla Henry Mandela, who was a chief.

In 1925, Nelson Mandela starts attending primary school near his home village of Qunu. His teacher, Miss Mdingane, gives him the English name 'Nelson'.

On April 2, 1944, Nelson Mandela, along with Anton Lembede, Oliver Tambo, and Walter Sisulu, establishes the ANC Youth League, a pivotal moment in the history of the African National Congress.

On October 5, 1944, Nelson Mandela marries Evelyn Ntoko Mase, his first wife, in a significant personal milestone.

In 1948, the individual was elected as the National Secretary of the African National Congress (ANC) Youth League.

In 1951, the individual was elected as the President of the African National Congress (ANC) Youth League.

In 1952, Nelson Mandela, along with Oliver Tambo, establishes South Africa’s first black law firm, Mandela & Tambo, to provide legal assistance to black South Africans.

On June 26, 1955, the Congress of the People, a coalition of anti-apartheid movements including the ANC, adopts the Freedom Charter at Kliptown in Soweto. The charter advocates for a free South Africa where all its inhabitants, regardless of race, have equal rights and representation.

In 1956, Nelson Mandela and 150 other individuals were arrested and accused of treason. This led to the lengthy Treason Trial that lasted from 1956 to 1961, during which all charges against them were eventually dropped.

On August 5, 1962, after 17 months on the run, Nelson Mandela was arrested near Howick in Natal and imprisoned in Johannesburg Fort until his release in 1990.

On October 25, 1962, Nelson Mandela was convicted of unlawfully leaving the country and incitement to strike, leading to a five-year sentence on Robben Island.

On July 11, 1963, while Mandela was in prison, police arrested prominent ANC leaders at their hideout on Liliesleaf Farm in Rivonia, north of Johannesburg.

On April 20, 1964, at the opening of the defence case in the Pretoria Supreme Court, Nelson Mandela made his famous statement from the dock at the Rivonia Trial, explaining the ANC's decision to resort to violence.

The Rivonia Trial concluded on June 12, 1964, with Nelson Mandela and his co-accused being found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment. Mandela was sent to Robben Island as a D-group prisoner.

In 1965, Nelson Mandela's book 'No Easy Walk to Freedom' was published by Heinemann.

In March 1982, Nelson Mandela was moved from Robben Island to Pollsmoor Prison in Cape Town, along with other ANC leaders. This transfer was believed to be an attempt to reduce their influence on young black activists imprisoned on Robben Island.

In 1986, Nelson Mandela began engaging in discussions with the government in an effort to encourage dialogue with the African National Congress (ANC).

In 1988, Nelson Mandela was moved from Pollsmoor Prison to Victor Verster Prison near Paarl in the Western Cape. During this time, several restrictions were lifted, allowing friends and family to visit him.

Nelson Mandela has an informal meeting with South African President Botha at the presidential office in Cape Town. This marks the first acknowledged encounter between Mandela and a government official outside of prison.

On February 2, 1990, President FW de Klerk made the historic announcement that Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners would be released, and banned political organizations like the ANC would be legalized.

On 11 February 1990, Nelson Mandela delivered his first public speech to a crowd of 100,000 in Cape Town after being imprisoned for 27 years. He emphasized the need to continue the struggle against apartheid until the system was dismantled.

Chris Hani, the leader of the South African Communist Party and a senior member of the ANC, is assassinated outside his home by right-wingers, leading to a push for settlement amidst the threat of civil war.

Mandela and FW de Klerk are jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their distinct roles in ending apartheid, symbolizing a significant step towards peace and reconciliation in South Africa.

Nelson Mandela was elected as the first black President of South Africa in 1994, marking the end of apartheid and the beginning of a new era for the country.

South Africa holds its first democratic elections, with Mandela casting his vote for the first time, resulting in the ANC winning 62% of the vote and marking a historic moment in the country's history.

Mandela is inaugurated as South Africa's first democratically elected president, signifying the culmination of the country's transition to democracy and the end of apartheid.

South Africa's national rugby team, the Springboks, wins the World Cup final, symbolizing racial reconciliation as supported by Mr. Mandela.

Under Nelson Mandela's leadership, the African National Congress (ANC) succeeded in shaping a multicultural government in South Africa and brokered a democratic constitution that ended apartheid.

South African President Nelson Mandela visited Gaddafi in 1997, playing a key role in a compromise that led to the defendants of the Lockerbie bombing being handed over for trial under Scottish law.

In 1999, Nelson Mandela stepped down as President after serving only one term. He then went on to establish the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

In 1999, Nelson Mandela had a significant meeting with Harry Oppenheimer in London. Mandela later praised Oppenheimer posthumously for his anti-apartheid stance and contributions to South Africa's development.

On July 9, 2002, US President George W. Bush presented Nelson Mandela with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States.

In 2003, Nelson Mandela initiated the 46664 campaign to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS. Additionally, he founded the Mandela Rhodes Foundation to promote leadership development in Africa.

Mandela's 90th birthday is celebrated worldwide, with main festivities in Qunu, South Africa, and a concert in Hyde Park, London.

On March 9, 2013, Nelson Mandela was admitted to the hospital for the treatment of lung disorders, marking the beginning of several hospitalizations over the following months.

On July 18, 2013, Nelson Mandela celebrated his 95th birthday while undergoing treatment at a Pretoria hospital. Doctors described his condition as stable but critical.

After nearly three months in the hospital, Nelson Mandela was discharged with a full medical team to his home in Houghton, Johannesburg on September 1, 2013.

On December 5, 2013, Nelson Mandela passed away at his home in Houghton at the age of 95, leading to an official 10-day period of mourning in South Africa.

A memorial service for Nelson Mandela was held at Soccer City Stadium near Soweto in Johannesburg on December 10, 2013. The service was attended by global leaders and thousands of South Africans.

Nelson Mandela's state funeral took place in Qunu in the Eastern Cape on December 15, 2013, where he was laid to rest.

Mandela Day is celebrated on July 18th each year to honor Nelson Mandela's legacy through acts of kindness and community service.