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Birth
Rolihlahla Mandela was born in the village of Mvezo in Umtata, then part of South Africa's Cape Province. -
Nelson
Attends primary school near Qunu. He receives the name "Nelson" from a teacher. -
University
Enrols at the University College of Fort Hare, in Alice, however then expelled in 1940 -
1941
In a year Mandela escapes an arranged marriage; becomes a mine security officer; and starts articles at the law firm Witkin, Sidelsky & Eidelman -
Bachelor of Arts
Completes his BA with the University of South Africa (UNISA) -
ANCYL
Co-founds the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) -
Marriage
Marries Evelyn Ntoko Mase.
They have four children: Thembekile (1945); Makaziwe (1947); Makgatho (1950); Makaziwe (1954) -
National Secretary of ANCYL
Elected national secretary of the ANCYL -
President of ANCYL
Elected President of the ANCYL -
1952
After a year, Mandela's defiance Campaign begins; Then arrested and charged for violating the Suppression of Communism Act; Elected Transvaal ANC President; Convicted with J.S Moroka, Walter Sisulu and 17 others under the Suppression of Communism Act; Sentenced to nine months imprisonment with hard labour, Then suspended for two years, -
Law Practice
Mandela Starts Law Practice. Mandela and Oliver Tambo open South Africa’s first black law practice. -
Freedom Charter
Watches as the Congress of the People at Kliptown adopts the Freedom Charter -
Arrested on Treason Charges
Arrested at his home and charged with treason, along with 155 others who called for a nonracial state in South Africa. -
2nd Marriage
Divorces Evelyn Mase then Marries Nomzamo Winnie Madikizela, they then have two daughters: Zenani (1959) and Zindzi (1960) -
Arrested
Leaves the country for military training and to garner support for the ANC. Mandela is arrested after returning to South Africa from a trip abroad. At the time of his arrest, he had been living underground for 17 months. He is convicted of leaving the country illegally and incitement to strike, and is sentenced to five years in prison. -
Sentenced to Life in Prison
Mandela and seven others are convicted and sentenced to life in prison. Sent to Robben Island prison. He will spend the next 18 years there. -
State of Emergency
The government declares a nationwide state of emergency, granting itself sweeping powers, including authorization for the police to use force against protesters and to impose curfews. More than 1,000 activists are detained. -
Meeting With South African President
Mandela meets informally with Botha at the presidential office in Cape Town. -
Political Prisoners Release
The government frees eight of the country’s most prominent political prisoners, in a gesture that is widely seen as a trial run for Mandela’s release. -
Mandela Freed
Mandela, 71, is freed without conditions, ending 27 and a half years of imprisonment -
Mandela receives Nobel Prize
Nelson Mandela and De Klerk share the Nobel Peace Prize.
Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize with President FW de Klerk -
Mandela Becomes President
Inaugurated as President of the Republic of South Africa -
Third Marriage at 80
On his 80th birthday, Mandela marries Graça Machel, after judge grants petition for a divorce from his wife, Winnie in 1996. -
Retires
Mentions he will severely reduce his public activities so he can spend his remaining years resting and writing. -
Death
Mandela Dies at 95. Passes away at home in Johannesburg
