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Birth
Nelson Mandela was born this day -
Joins ANC
Nelson Mandela joined the African National Congress (ANC) -
National Party
National Party, dominated by white Dutch-descended Afrikaners, is elected to power and begins installing apartheid, a system of complete racial segregation. It will rule without interruption for 46 years. -
Going to prison
Mandela and six others are sentenced to life imprisonment and sent to notorious Robben Island to serve their sentences. -
De Klerk
De Klerk announces Mandela will be released the next day. -
Nobel Piece Prie
Mandela and de Klerk share Nobel Peace Prize. -
President
Mandela inaugurated as South Africa's first black president after ANC wins South Africa's first all-race election. -
Death
Mandela dies at age 95.