Video: Nelson Mandela’s Life Story and Timeline of His Life and Times

This 13-minute video of Mandela’s life was produced by the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

Click here to view the embedded video.

You can head to the Foundation’s website – http://www.nelsonmandela.org/ – to leave your condolence message.

Timeline: Life and Times of Nelson Mandela, The Liberator

Following are key dates in the life of South African freedom fighter and president Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, who has died at the age of 95.

July 18, 1918 - Rolihlahla Dalibhunga Mandela is born in a small South African village called Mvezo. When he starts school in 1925, his teacher gives him the name “Nelson.”

1937-1940 – Attends Fort Hare University College.

1940 -  Expelled from Fort Hare University College for participating in student strike.

1941 – Moves to Johannesburg, becomes mine policeman.

1943 -  Joins African National Congress (ANC).

1944 -  Marries Evelyn Mase, trainee nurse.

1948  – South African Government introduces apartheid policy. The National Party comes to power and introduces an apartheid policy of racial segregation, limiting black Africans’ freedoms. The ANC launches campaigns to resist the laws.

1952 -  Opens first black law practice in Johannesburg with Oliver Tambo.

December 5, 1956 -  Among 156 political activists arrested and charged with treason.

1958 -  Marries social worker Nomzamo Zaniewe Winifred “Winnie” Madikizela, having divorced Mase in 1954.

March 21, 1960 -  Security forces massacre 67 protesters in Sharpeville. Government bans ANC and Pan African Congress and declares state of emergency.

1961 -  Acquitted in treason trial, along with co-accused.

December 16, 1961 -  Launch of ANC’s armed wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe (Spear of the Nation), with Mr Mandela as commander-in-chief.

August 5, 1962 -  Captured and, after an eight-month trial, is  sentenced on November 7 to five years in prison for incitement to strike and leaving country illegally, having earlier travelled to Ethiopia and Algeria for military training.

1963 -  While serving this sentence is charged with sabotage along with other ANC activists arrested in Rivonia near Johannesburg.

June 12, 1964 -  After famous speech from dock (democracy “is an ideal for which I am prepared to die”), is sentenced to life imprisonment and sent to Robben Island prison off Cape Town.

July 5, 1989 -  Meets president PW Botha and then on December 13 with FW de Klerk, who later succeeds Botha.

February 11, 1990 -  After 27 years, is released from prison.

July 5, 1991 -  Elected ANC president.

April, 1992 -  Separates from wife Winnie.

October 15, 1993 -  Wins Nobel Peace Prize with FW De Klerk.

April 27, 1994 -  Votes for the first time in his life in the country’s first all-race elections. The ANC wins 252 of the 400 seats in the National Assembly, and Mandela is elected president of South Africa. De Klerk is sworn in as deputy president.

May 10, 1994 -   Inaugurated as President.

July 18, 1998 – Marries Graca Machel, widow of Mozambican president Samora Machel.

1999 -  Steps down as president after one term in favor of Thabo Mbeki and tours the world as a global leader.

2001 – Mandela is diagnosed with prostate cancer and begins medical treatment.

June 1, 2004 -  Announces his retirement from public life.

January 6, 2005 -  Announces that his son Makgatho had died of AIDS.

2008 – Celebrates 90th birthday with much fanfare at Hyde Park London Concert

April 19, 2009 -  Makes his final political address in a recorded message at an ANC election rally.

July 11, 2010 -  Appears at the closing ceremony of the football World Cup in South Africa.

January 28, 2011 – Discharged from hospital after two days of treatment for an acute respiratory infection.

February 25, 2012 -  Admitted to hospital to treat a long-running abdominal complaint.

May 30, 2012 -  Makes rare television appearance to receive symbolic flame marking the ANC centenary.

December 8, 2012 -  Admitted to hospital in Pretoria to be treated for a lung infection and gall stones. He was discharged after 18 days.

January 6, 2013 -  Doctors say Mandela has “recovered” although he continues to receive care at his home in Johannesburg.

March 9, 2013 – Admitted overnight to a Pretoria hospital for a “scheduled medical check-up”. Discharged the following day after “successful” tests.

March 27, 2013 – Mandela is readmitted to hospital for a recurrence of a lung infection. He was released a few days later.

June 8, 2013 – The 94-year-old returns to hospital with a new lung infection. His condition is reported as serious but stable.

July 18, 2013 – Celebrates his 95th birthday in hospital. The South African government said Mandela was “steadily improving”.

December 6, 2013 – Dies at his home in Johannesburg surrounded by family, at the age 95.

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