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Nelson Mandela


July 18, 1918 - Dec. 5, 2013







Nelson Mandela, beloved South African statesman,
dies at 95


The death of the former president and Nobel Peace Prize winner closes the final chapter in South Africa’s struggle to cast off apartheid.







Timeline: The life of Nelson Mandela

  • 1918: Born in Mvezo, Transkei, South Africa

    The son of Gadla Henry Mphakanyiswa and Nosekeni Fanny Mandela is given the name Rolihlahla Dalibhunga Mandela.

    AP Photo: A statue in Nelson Mandela Square at the Sandton City shopping centre in Johannesburg, South Africa.

  • 1944: First of three marriages

    Mandela marries Evelyn (Ntoko) Mandela in 1944. The couple divorces in 1958. Mandela next marries "Winnie" (Madikizela) Mandela (1958-1996) and Graca (Machel) Mandela (July 18, 1998 until his death).

    Reuters Photo: Nelson and Winnie in their wedding photo from 1958.

  • 1951: ANCYL Leader

    Mandela becomes president of the African National Congress Youth League.

    AP Photo: South African police beat African women with clubs after a beer hall protest as racial segregation polices troubled the nation in the 1950s.

  • 1964: Life in prison

    Mandela and others are convicted of sabotage and conspiracy.

    AP Photo: Police join hands to hold back demonstrators outside court in Pretoria, South Africa, June 12, 1964 after eight of the accused in the Rivonia Sabotage trial, including Mandela and Walter Sisulu, are
    sentenced to life imprisonment.

  • 1982: Prison transfer

    Mandela is transferred to Pollsmoor Prison after serving 18 years at Robben Island. He is moved to Victor Verster Prison in 1988.

    Reuters Photo: African National Congress president Nelson Mandela stares out of the window of the prison cell he occupied on Robben Island for much of his 27 year incarceration, February 11th, 1994.

  • 1990: Freedom after 27 years

    Mandela is released from prison after serving more than 27 years of his life sentence.

    AP Photo: Nelson Mandela and wife Winnie, walk hand-in hand-with their raised clenched fists upon Mandela's release from Victor Verster prison, near Cape Town South Africa.

  • 1990: King Award winner

    Mandela becomes the first recipient of the Martin Luther King Jr. International Freedom Award.

    AP Photo: Mandela receives the award from King's widow Coretta Scott King during a ceremony at the Big Bethel AME church in Atlanta June 27, 1990.

  • 1991: Back to leadership

    Mandela becomes president of the African National Congress and serves through 1997.

    AP Photo: A pedestrian walks beneath two giant portraits outside the City Hall in Cape Town, South Africa, Monday, June 24, 2013 at the spot where, on the balcony, Mandela, made his first public speech after being released from 27 years imprisonment.

  • 1993: Recognized for peace

    Mandela shares the Nobel Peace Prize with countryman F.W. de Klerk.

    AP Photo: Deputy President F.W. de Klerk, right, and Mandela pose with their Nobel Peace Prize Gold Medal and Diploma, in Oslo, December 10, 1993.

  • 1994: South African ruler

    Mandela is elected the first black president of South Africa in the first open election in the country's history.

    AP Photo: Mandela reads the oath of office Tuesday, May, 10, 1994 at the Union Building in Pretoria as he is sworn in as President of South Africa.

  • 1999: A new role

    Mandela leaves the presidency and establishes the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

    AP Photo: Mandela's popularity as South Africa's leader was shown during a 1990 event at the city theater in Amsterdam attended by 15,000 people.

  • 2003: AIDS awareness

    Mandela hosts the first 46664 Concert (his prison number) in Cape Town. The event attracts more than 30,000 fans with performances from Beyonce, Bono, Peter Gabriel and more.

    AP Photo: Nelson Mandela, left, former South African president, is applauded by former President Bill Clinton, at the closing ceremony of the XIV International AIDS conference in Barcelona, Spain.

  • 2005: Another concert

    Mandela hosts the second 46664 Concert in the Southern Cape town of George. Annie Lennox and Queen are among the performers.

    Reuters Photo: Nelson Mandela laughs with journalists and performers participating in the second 46664 concert.

  • 2007: The Elders

    During his retirement, Mandela forms the group The Elders with wife Graca Machel and Desmond Tutu.

    AP Photo: Mandela, addresses the International Women's Forum, in Johannesburg, Thursday, Jan 30 2003.

  • 2008: 90th birthday

    Mandela's 90th birthday is marked by a concert in Hyde Park, London with proceeds going to AIDS charity.

    AP Photo: A photo reflected onto a glass window shows Mandela's face at the Nelson Mandela museum near his home in Qunu, South Africa.

  • 2009: Mandela Day

    The United Nations declares July 18 Nelson Mandela International Day.

    AP Photo: A portrait representing former president Nelson Mandela on the windows of a building in downtown Cape Town, South Africa, Monday June 24, 2013.

  • 2010: World Cup hosts

    Mandela, who petitioned for the World Cup to be hosted by South Africa, makes an appearance before the final game of the 2010 tournament.

    Reuters Photo: Mandela holds the World Cup Trophy after FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter announced that South Africa was chosen ars 2010 host./p>

  • 2012: Lung infection

    Mandela is hospitalized Dec. 8 with a lung infection. He will be hospitalized twice in 2013 with a recurring lung infection.

    AP Photo: Thabiso Boya, adds his get-well message on a poster for Mandela at the Education Expo in Johannesburg, South Africa.

  • 2013: Mandela dies

    The beloved South African leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner dies at age 95.

    AP Photo

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