Nelson Mandela was the very first South African, who in spite of the color of his skin, held the President's office. He got elected in a completely representative as well as multi-racial election. He worked on dismantling apartheid while the government tackled racism, inequality and poverty. Mandela's life-story is that of a true champion. This messiah of the 20th century celebrated his 95th birthday yesterday in a hospital.

1939

Mandela was instructed to go away from Fort Hare as he got involved in the students' movement against university policies. He, among thousands of other black people in his country, was not allowed to vote as a part of the apartheid system present in the country. He studied Law as well during this time.

1944

Mandela forms the ANC Youth League along with Walter Sislu and Oliver Tambo. He also got married for the first time. It was Evelyn Mase who had 3 children with him before the break up later in 1957.

1952

Mandela started the first black law firm of South Africa along with Oliver Tambo who was also a lawyer. They opened the firm to provide low cost or free legal counsel among several black people who did not have any legal representation otherwise. Mandela took active part in the Defiance Campaign as well.

1959

New law passed from the parliament extended racial segregation as it created separated homelands for the most prominent South African black groups. Robert Sobukwe and Potlako Leballo left ANC and formed PAC, which caused major loss in militant and financial support for the group.

1964

Mandela was arrested and subsequently convicted of treason and sabotage. He was sentenced to imprisonment for life.

1990

Mandela got released from prison February 11. He was imprisoned for 27 years. Same year, the ban on ANC was lifted. Talks started on shaping up a democracy in South Africa to give equality to all the races.

1993

Nelson Mandela, along with Klerk, got the Nobel Peace Prize.

1994

Nelson Mandela got elected as the first black president in the entire history of South Africa. It was the first free election when the black in South Africa were allowed to cast their vote.

2013

The United Nations declares that July 18, Mandela's birthday, is going to be celebrated as International Nelson Mandela Day.

United Nations South Africa Lawyer