Nelson Mandela International Day

Mandela was born on July 18, 1918, and in honour of his date of birth, the UN General Assembly in 2009 has decided that July 18th will be Nelson Mandela's International Day.

Mandela's birthday is also Nelson Mandela International Day, declared by the UN as a token of gratitude for the Nobel Peace Prize winner's contribution and reconciliation reached in this country.

On this day the South Africans usually mark their leader's birthday against apartheid, who was 67 years in public service, and citizens do 67 minutes of community work,

Mandela first chose a peaceful course for his purposes and his companions.

In 1956 he was charged with “high-tradition” by the then regime, along with 155 other friends. The process lasted until 1961, and all were released. After his release he became the leader of the ANC's armed group, Umkohto We Sizae.

In 1962 he was imprisoned and sentenced to 5 years of freedom. In 1964 he was sentenced to life in prison for planning armed warfare. In 1985 he was approached with the possibility of being released if he would accept a ban on armed activity, but he refused.

In 1990, after an ANC campaign and international pressure, he was released unconditionally. In 1993 he won the Nobel Prize. And in 1994 he was elected to democratic elections, president of South Africa and 9 May was elected as the first black president in this country.

In 1999 he resigned and was active for various human rights organizations. In 2003 he criticized Tony Blair and George W. Bush for the Iraqi intervention.

Mandela died after a long illness on December 5, 2013, at his home in Johannesburg.