Nelson Mandela

Every entry, with its source

At 0

1. Jul 18, 1918

   Born Rolihlahla Mandela in Mvezo, Transkei

   The name means troublemaker in Xhosa. A teacher gave him the name Nelson at about seven.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org

At 20

1. c. 1939

   Began a BA at the University of Fort Hare

   An elite Black college of about 150 students. Suspended after a year for a student council boycott.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org

At 22

1. Apr 1941

   Fled an arranged marriage to Johannesburg

   He arrived at 22 and started studying law.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org

At 25

1. c. 1944

   Co-founded the ANC Youth League

   He had joined the African National Congress the year before. He married Evelyn Mase that October.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org

At 33

1. c. 1952

   Led the Defiance Campaign; elected Transvaal ANC president

   He addressed 10,000 people in Durban on 22 June.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org

At 35

1. Aug 1953

   Opened a law firm with Oliver Tambo

   Mandela and Tambo, in downtown Johannesburg.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org

At 38

1. Dec 1956

   Arrested for high treason

   The Treason Trial dragged on until March 1961, when the judges acquitted the accused.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org

At 43

1. Dec 16, 1961

   Launched Umkhonto we Sizwe, the ANC's armed wing

   57 bombings on Dingane's Day announced its existence. He led it from hiding.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org

At 45

1. Jun 12, 1964

   Sentenced to life at the Rivonia Trial

   Captured in August 1962. Two months before sentencing he told the court he was prepared to die for a democratic society.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org

At 63

1. c. 1982

   Moved to Pollsmoor after 18 years on Robben Island

   On the island the prisoners had lectured one another; he called it the University of Robben Island.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org

At 71

1. Feb 11, 1990

   Released after 27 years

   He walked out of Victor Verster Prison holding Winnie's hand, broadcast live around the world.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org

At 74

1. c. 1993

   Nobel Peace Prize, shared with F. W. de Klerk

   Source: nobelprize.org

At 75

1. May 10, 1994

   Inaugurated as South Africa's first Black president at 75

   After the country's first multiracial election on 27 April. A billion people watched.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org

At 80

1. Mar 29, 1999

   Farewell speech to Parliament; retired after one term

   Source: en.wikipedia.org

At 95

1. Dec 5, 2013

   Died at 95 in Johannesburg

   Source: en.wikipedia.org