Nelson Mandela Fast Facts By CNN- Here is a look at the life of Nelson Mandela,
Nobel Peace Prize winner and former president of
South Africa. Personal: Birth date: July 18, 1918 Birth place: Mvezo, Transkei, South Africa. Birth name: Rolihlahla Dalibhunga Mandela Father: Gadla Henry Mphakanyiswa, a counselor
to the royal house of the Thembu tribe Mother: Nosekeni Fanny Mandela Marriages: Graca (Machel) Mandela (July 18, 1998-
present); "Winnie" (Madikizela) Mandela
(1958-1996, divorce); Evelyn (Ntoko) Mandela
(1944-1958, divorce) Children: with Winnie Mandela: Zindzi, 1960 and
Zenani, 1959; with Evelyn Mandela: Makaziwe,
1953; Makgatho, 1950-January 6, 2005;
Makaziwe, 1947-1948; Thembekile, 1946-1969 Education: University of South Africa, law degree,
1942 Other Facts: He was given the name Nelson by a
school teacher. He is also sometimes called
Madiba, his traditional clan name. Mandela has been called both "the world's most
famous political prisoner" and "South Africa's
Great Black Hope." Timeline: 1941-1943 - Mandela meets Walter
Sisulu who helps him get a job at the law firm of
Witkin, Sidelsky, and Eidelman. 1944 - Joins the African National Congress and
helps found the ANC Youth League. 1951 - Becomes president of the ANC Youth
League. 1952 - Opens the first black law partnership in
South Africa with friend Oliver Tambo. 1952 - Leads the newly launched [ANC] Campaign
for the Defiance of Unjust Laws, a program of
nonviolent mass resistance. July 1952 - Mandela is charged with violating the
Suppression of Communism Act. December 5, 1956 - Mandela is among 156
resistance leaders arrested and charged with
high treason. March 21, 1960 - In Sharpeville, police fire upon
protestors challenging apartheid laws; 69 people
are killed. April 8, 1960 - The ANC is banned nine days after
Mandela is arrested and the government imposes
a state of emergency after the events in
Sharpeville. March 29, 1961 - Mandela and all co-defendants
are found not guilty of treason. June 1961 - Mandela begins organizing the armed
struggle against apartheid Umkhonto we Sizwe
(Spear of the Nations). He travels in Africa and
Europe studying guerrilla warfare. August 5, 1962 - Is arrested on charges of inciting
workers to strike and leaving the country without
valid travel documents. Mandela represents
himself at trial. November 7, 1962 - Is sentenced to prison, five
years hard labor. June 12, 1964 - Is sentenced to life in prison for
four counts of sabotage. Convicted and sentenced
with Mandela are Walter Sisulu, Ahmed Kathrada,
Govan Mbeki, Denis Goldberg and others. 1980 - The Johannesburg Sunday Post leads a
campaign to free Mandela. A petition demanding
his and other ANC prisoners' release is printed in
the newspaper. 1982- Is transferred to Pollsmoor Maximum
Security Prison after 18 years on Robben Island. 1988 - Is transferred to Victor Verster Prison. July 5, 1989 - Meets with President P.W. Botha. August 15, 1989 - Botha resigns as president and
head of the National Party. F.W. de Klerk replaces
him and begins dismantling apartheid. December 13, 1989 - Mandela and de Klerk meet
for the first time. February 11, 1990 - Mandela is released from
prison after more than 27 years. 1990 - Embarks on a world tour, visiting Margaret
Thatcher, the U.S. Congress, and U.S. President
George H.W. Bush. July 1991 - Mandela is elected president of the
ANC. 1993 - Mandela and de Klerk share the Nobel
Peace Prize. April 29, 1994 - Elected the first black president of
the Republic of South Africa in the first open
election in the country's history. May 10, 1994 - Mandela is inaugurated. June 1999 - Mandela leaves office. 1999 - Establishes the Nelson Mandela Foundation. January 19, 2000 - Addresses the United Nations
Security Council, appealing for help in ending the
brutal civil war between ethnic Hutus and Tutsis
in Burundi. July 25, 2001 - Announces that he has prostate
cancer and is undergoing treatment. January 31, 2003 - Mandela criticizes President
George W. Bush's stance on Iraq, saying he has no
foresight and can't think properly. November 29, 2003 - Aids awareness event, the
46664 Concert (Mandela's prison number) at
Green Point stadium in Cape Town. The event
draws 30,000+ fans with performances by
Beyonce, Peter Gabriel, Bono, Bob Geldof and
many more; and speeches by Mandela and Geldof. December 1, 2003 - Mandela participates in the
signing of the Geneva Accords for peace in the
Middle East. January 7, 2005 - Announces that his son,
Makgatho, has died of AIDS and that the disease
should be given publicity so that people will stop
viewing it as extraordinary. March 21, 2005 - Hosts the "46664 concert" in
George, South Africa, to promote AIDS awareness. August 29, 2007 - A bronze statue of Mandela is
unveiled in Parliament Square in London. June 27, 2008 - A London concert is held at Hyde
Park in honor of Mandela's 90th birthday (on July
18) with all proceeds going to an AIDS charity. It is
estimated that about 40,000 tickets were sold. July 18, 2009 - The Nelson Mandela Foundation
creates Mandela Day to be held every year on his
birthday. The purpose of the day is to bring
awareness to community service. November 11, 2009 - The United Nations declares
July 18th Nelson Mandela International Day. December 11, 2009 - The movie Invictus, starring
Morgan Freeman as Mandela opens in South
Africa, Canada and the United States. February 11, 2010 - On the 20th anniversary of
Mandela's release from prison tributes,
commemorations and marches in his honor take
place. June 11, 2010 - Mandela makes his first World Cup
appearance before kickoff of the final match. January 26-28, 2011 - Is hospitalized in
Johannesburg and treated for an acute
respiratory infection. June 21, 2011 - Meets with U.S. First Lady Michelle
Obama at his home in South Africa. February 25-26, 2012 - Treated for an abdominal
hernia. March 2012 - The Nelson Mandela Digital Archive
Project is launched. Google gives a $1.25 million
grant to help preserve and digitize thousands of
archival documents including items donated by
Mandela himself. December 8, 2012 - Is admitted to the hospital,
suffering a lung infection. December 15, 2012 - Undergoes successful
endoscopic surgery to have gall stones removed. January 6, 2013 - A spokesman says Mandela has
successfully recovered from surgery and a lung
infection and is slowly getting back to his normal
routine. March 27, 2013 - Is admitted to the hospital due to
the recurrence of a lung infection. April 6, 2013 - Mandela is discharged from the
hospital. April 29, 2013 - The South Africa Broadcasting
Corporation (SABC) releases video of Mandela as
he sits at home surrounded by South Africa
President Zuma and other government officials.
SABC and the African National Congress, which
has been critical of media in the past, are accused of political exploitation. June 8, 2013 - Mandela is admitted to hospital with
a recurring lung infection. The former president is
listed in serious but stable condition and is
breathing on his own. June 23, 2013 - Officials say Mandela's condition
has worsened in the past 24 hours, and he is now
in critical condition. August 31, 2013 - Is discharged from the hospital
to continue his recovery at home. According to
President Jacob Zuma he is still listed in "critical
but stable condition but responding to treatment."
MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE!