Nelson Mandela Facts
Nelson Mandela has long been a worldwide inspirational icon and is considered a hero for standing up against apartheid and serving 26 years in prison for fighting for what he believed was right.
He was born on July 18th, 1918 in South Africa. In 2009, he celebrated his 91st Birthday at Radio City Music Hall in New York. This kicked off a year long celebration.
He finished college qualifying in law and used that law degree to join the African National Congress two years later. After the ANC was banned in 1960, Mandela created a military wing within the group. Along with those who joined his group, Mandela created the Umkhonto we Sizwe.
June 12th, 1964 is the day that Mandela was sentenced to life imprisonment-along with eight others- for attempting to usurp the government by violence. During 26 years in jail, Mandela became known as the most significant leader in South Africa. As the anti-apartheid movement gained strength, he ended up as a symbol of resistance by not giving up his leadership for freedom.
February 11, 1990 was the day Nelson Mandela finally gained his freedom. A year later, he became the President of the new ANC, which had been banned 31 years before that.
-- By Alexander Garrett
