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Birth
Nelson Mandela was born on July 18,1918 in Mvezo, South Africa. His name, at birth, was Rolihlahla Mandela. His mother was Nonquaphi Nosekeni and his father was Nkosi Mandela. Nelson aspired to contribute to the freedom struggle at a very young age. This event is significant because Nelson Mandela would go on to become the first black president of South Africa and one of the most influential political leaders of Africa. Source: (biography.com) -
Women's right to vote
The United States developed the 19th amendment stating that women had the right to vote. It was passed by Congress in 1920 after a long fight. The amendment took years of protest in order to be passed. The amendment changed the face of American voting and rights forever. Source: (ourdocument.gov) -
Olympic Winter Games
The games were held in Chamonix, France influenced by the Nordic games in Sweden. In Chamonix, the Scandinavians dominated speed rinks and slopes. Norway won the team competition with 17 medals. The U.S. took third with only 1 gold medal. There were a total of 250 athletes, 11 women competed, but they were only allowed in figure skating. The event is significant because it was the first appearance of one of the most watched events around the world. Source: (history.com) -
Education
Rolihlahla attended a mission school at Qunu where his teacher gave him the name Nelson. Over a decade later, Nelson enrolled at the University College of Fort Hare. The university was the only place of higher learning for blacks in South Africa. This event is significant because he received the name he is known by and it also taught him that black people did not have the same rights and if he wanted to fight for their freedoms it would be a long, hard fight. Source: (nelsonmandela.org) -
First Mickey Mouse Cartoon
The cartoon was created by Walt Disney. His original character, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, was stolen and he drew Mickey Mouse while he was upset. Steamboat Willie was, not only the first appearance of Mickey Mouse, but the first cartoon ever made with sound. This event introduced one of the most popular and recognizable characters ever made. Source: (thoughtco.com) -
African National Congress
The ANC was formed to create a non-racial South Africa. Mandela stood by the ideas. In 1956, 156 members were arrested for treason. Mandela realized that the peaceful protest wouldn't work and a new idea was necessary. The ANC was banned by government, but Mandela didn't stop. He was caught and sentenced. Once released in 1990, he became president of the ANC. The significance is that ideas of the ANC influenced his fight for freedom and apartheid in South Africa. (galegroup.com) -
National Party Elected
The National Party introduced several segregation laws following the election. Their intent was to extend political control of South Africa by the white minority. Mandela led peaceful acts of defiance against them. The National Party would eventually fail in South Africa. This event is significant because it was another idea that led Mandela to fight hard for freedom and make South Africa a non-racist country. It also helped him become an influential civil rights activist. Source: (history.com) -
Imprisonment
Nelson Mandela was sentenced to life in prison for political offenses. He developed tuberculosis and received the lowest level of care because he was black. He earned his Bachelor of Law degree while in prison. After 18 years on Robben Island, he was sent to Pollsmoor prison. Frederick Willem de Klerk announced Mandela's release in 1990. Mandela vowed to continue his fight until the black majority could vote. The event showed how hard he was willing to fight for what he believed. Source: (Meer) -
JFK assassinated
John F. Kennedy was assassinated while riding through the streets of Dallas in a convertible. Lee Harvey Oswald fired 3 shots fatally wounding Kennedy. He was pronounced dead at the hospital. Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in as the 36th president. Johnson declared that this day wold be a day of national mourning. The significance is that JFK was a "breath of fresh air" for the American people. He was the first Catholic President and the event set off months of mourning. Source: (history.com) -
US involved in Vietnam War
The war was North Vietnam against South Vietnam and the US. Two US destroyers were attacked in 1964. Several presidents were in office for the war, but Lyndon B Johnson officially involved the US. More and more soldiers were sent to Vietnam over the years. Around 3,000,000 were killed in the war, 58,000 Americans. This event started a fight for independence in Vietnam and the death toll was a huge effect. Source: (history.com) -
Nobel Peace Prize
Nelson Mandela and Frederik Willem de Klerk were jointly awarded the prize. They received it for their work in peaceful termination of apartheid. They set the foundation for a new democratic South Africa. This event shows how much Mandela did for South Africa and the Nobel Peace Prize was his award or all of his heroic efforts. Source: (Struggle is my life) and (nobelprize.org) -
First Black President of South Africa
An overwhelming majority of South Africa voted for Mandela and the ANC. Mandela was the most prominent leader against apartheid. He advocated for nonviolent protests. Mandela served as the president until 1999. The ideas of Nelson Mandela still hold South Africa together. Mandela set an example to all people that anyone can make a difference. -
Created the Children's fund
Mandela's goal was to change the way society treats children and youth and give them a voice. Mandela loved children and he wanted to end their suffering so he donated a third of his salary throughout his term to the fund. The significance is that it changed the lives of thousands of African children. It also showed how amazing of a person Mandela really was because he cared about everyone. Source: (nelsonmandelachilrensfund.com) -
Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer
Mandela was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2001. It was said to not be life-threatening. He chose to withdraw from public engagements due to his health. This gave him more time to spend with family as he neared the end of his life. This event signaled the soon likely end of a hero's life for South Africa. Source: (biography.com) -
NASA rover lands on Mars
The rovers were launched in 2003, but they landed in January of 2004. NASA hoped to find a wide range of rocks and soil holding clues to past water activity. The rovers were called Spirit and Opportunity. The Spirit rover was stuck on Mars. This event continued the questioning of whether there was a past on Mars. Source: (nasa.gov) -
Death
Nelson Mandela died in Johannesburg, South Africa at age 95. Obama release a statement that "we've lost one of the most influential, courageous...human beings." There was a national mourning period of 10 days in South Africa consisting of several memorial services. This is significant because it was the loss of a hero for South Africa. Nelson Mandela's courage and determination for freedom led him to become the most successful figure of South Africa. Source: (biography.com)
