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Birth
Nelson Rolihlhla Mandela was born on July 18, 1918 in Mvezo, South Africa to Nonqaphi Nosekeni and Nkosi Mphakanyiswa Gadla Mandela. His father, Nkosi, was a counsellor to the King of the Thembu people in South Africa. This event is significant because Nelson Mandela would later go on to help create peace within his country.
Source: (Wilson 170). -
Amelia Earhart's Flight
On May 20, 1932, Amelia Earhart took off from Harbor Grace, Newfoundland, in attempt to fly across the Atlantic and land in Paris. During the flight, she was forced to land in an area in Ireland due to weather conditions. Although she didn't make it to Paris, her goal was considered achieved and she was presented with a gold medal from the national geographic society. This event is significant because Earhart became the first women to fly solo across the Atlantic.
Source: (ameliaearhart.com). -
The Hindenburg Explosion
On May 6, 1937, the Hindenburg exploded over Lakehurst, New Jersey. The airship left Frankfurt, Germany on May 3 for a journey across the Atlantic Ocean to the Navy Air Base in Lakehurst. It carried a total of 97 passengers. While trying to land in Lakehurst, the ship suddenly burst into flames. This event is significant because 35 people died and it ended airship travel.
Source: (History.com). -
World War II
On September 1, 1939 World War II began. It was provoked by Hitler's Invasion of Poland. The war lasted 6 years, until Nazi Germany and Japan were defeated in 1945. This event is significant because Nazi Germany was defeated, and the Jewish were free. The war also advanced technology and brought new methods for fighting in later wars.
Source: (History.com). -
ANCYL
In 1944, Nelson Mandela co-founded the African National Congress Youth League. The ANCYL was formed by young militants who disliked the ANC's traditional leadership. Although each group had different ideals, they were each created to promote the interests of the Union of South Africa. This event is significant because it was Mandela's first big step in helping to create peace in South Africa.
Source: (Wilson 172). -
The Diary of Anne Frank
In 1947, The Diary of Anne Frank was published. Anne Frank was 13 years old when she wrote about her time she spent with her family hiding in an attic from the Nazis. She was eventually discovered by the Nazis, and she and her family were brought to a camp. Frank later died from typhus. This event is significant because it helped the world to understand what was really going on during the Holocaust.
Source: (annefrank.org). -
Defiance Campaign and Arrest
In 1952, the ANC appointed Nelson Mandela the volunteer-in-chief of a defiance campaign. Through this campaign, the ANC wanted to fight segregation through strikes and disobedience. Mandela traveled through South Africa recruiting volunteers to break segregation laws. A few months after his return, he was put in jail for 9 months for the Suppression of Communism Acts. This event is significant because it created an uprising that helped eliminate segregation.
Source: (Wilson 173). -
Sharpeville Massacre
On March 21, 1960, the Pan African Congress, a black nationalist group in which Nelson Mandela was involved with, staged a series of protests against the pass laws. The pass laws were laws that required all blacks to carry identification passes. During these protests, a confrontation with the police resulted in the death of 69 unarmed protestors. This event is significant because it led to the banning of the AFC and PAC.
Source: (Nelson Mandela Foundation, Wilson 174). -
Armed Struggle
On January 11, 1962, Nelson Mandela left South Africa under the name of David Motsamayi. He travelled around Africa and went to England to gain support for the armed struggle. In Morocco and Ethiopia, he received military training, and soon returned to Africa. This event is significant because it led to his arrest for leaving the country without a permit and inciting workers to strike. He was sentenced to five years in prison.
Source: (Nelson Mandela Foundation). -
Rivonia Sentence
On June 12, 1964, Nelson Mandela and seven others were sentenced to life imprisonment. After the secret hideout of the ANC was discovered, Mandela was arrested. They became part of what is known as the Rivonia Trial. Before Mandela was sent to prison, he gave a speech known as the "Speech from the Dock", which showed his pride and his acceptance of death. This event is significant because Mandela sacrificed his life to try to stop segregation in South Africa.
Source: (Nelson Mandela Foundation). -
Invention of the MRI
On June 2, 1973, Raymond Damadian invented the MRI. The MRI can detect diseased tissue or injury more accurately and safely than other medical imaging techniques, such as the x-ray. More than 1 billion MRI scans have been done since it has been invented. This event is significant because it has saved many lives by detecting deathly tumors that no other medical equipment could.
Source: (Bergman). -
Nobel Prize for Medicine
In 1990, the nobel prize was awarded to Joseph E. Murray and E. Donnal Thomas. They worked on transplantation medicine, and focused on suppressing the immune system to keep the body from rejecting genetically foreign implants. This event is significant because it was a major advancement in medicine.
Source: (Grun 629). -
Freedom
On February 11, 2011, Nelson Mandela was released after spending 27 years in prison. Nine days earlier, President FW de Klerk ended the government's ban on the ANC and other political groups. He declared that the long-held prisoners, including Mandela, would be freed. This event is significant because the release allowed Mandela to continue fighting for his beliefs, and soon become President.
Source: (Nelson Mandela Foundation, Sonneborn 10). -
Nobel Peace Prize
On December 10, 1993 Nelson Mandela and President FW de Klerk were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. After he was released from prison, Mandela led the ANC in negotiating with the National Party and other political negotiations in South Africa. Negotiation was being done to end segregation and to establish a multiracial government. This event is significant because the nobel peace prize awarded Mandela for all his hard work in ending segregation in South Africa.
Source: (History.com). -
President
On May 10, 1994, Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as South Africa's first democratically elected President. Former President FW de Klerk served as Mandela's first deputy. During his presidency, Mandela enacted the new South African Constitution. This event is significant because the new constitution established a strong government and prohibited discrimination.
Source: (History.com, Nelson Mandela Foundation). -
Death
On December 5, 2013 Nelson Mandela died in his home in Houghton, Johannesburg, South Africa. He had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2001, and had been admitted to the hospital many times within those 12 years. This event is significant because he will be remembered as one of the greatest human rights activists.
Source: (Nelson Mandela Foundation).
