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Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela is Born!
Mandela is born in Mvezo, a village in the Tranksei. His father, Gadla Henry, was a chief of the Thembu people, a subdivision of the Xhosa nation. Nelson Mandela's name directly translates to troublmaker. He receives the more english name, Nelson, at the age of 7 by one of his teachers. This is significant because on this day the world gained a great political figure. Source: (sahistory.org.za) -
Fleming Discovers Penicilin
In 1928, bacteriologist Alexander Fleming made a chance discovery from an already discarded, contaminated Petri dish. The mold that had contaminated the experiment turned out to contain a powerful antibiotic, penicillin. This is significant because this drug has helped many people across the world. Source: (history1900s.about.com) -
Japanese Attack Pearl Harbor
On the morning of December 7, 1941, the Japanese launched a surprise air attack on the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. After just two hours of bombing, more than 2,400 Americans were dead, 21 ships* had either been sunk or damaged, and more than 188 U.S. aircraft destroyed. This is significant because the next day the Americans declared war on Japan. Source: (history1900s.about.com) -
Attended Witwatersrand University
At the university of Witwatersrand, Mandela began studying for his LLB. Mandela went on to study at many other universities after this. This is significant because Mandela left within a year because he realized that he was a poor student. Source: (nelsonmandela.org) -
Charged With Treason
In response to the growing unity and strength of the Congress Movement as a united front following the adoption of the Freedom Charter, the government arrested 156 political leaders in a mass police swoop on 5 December 1956 and charged them with high treason, a grave charge carrying the death penalty. This is significant because many people argued this charge and fought for Mandela to be released. Source: (nelsonmandela.org) -
JFK Assassinated
The 35th president of the United States was assassinatedwhile traveling in his convertible through Dallas, Texas by a man named Lee Harvey Oswald. Within hours Lyndon Johnson was sworn in as the 36th president. This is significant because John F. Kennedy was the most recent of the four U.S. presidents that have been assassinated. Source: (history.com) -
Armstrong and Aldrin and Apollo 11 Make Moon Landing
The primary objective of Apollo 11 was to complete a national goal set by President John F. Kennedy on May 25, 1961: perform a crewed lunar landing and return to Earth. It launched from Cape Kennedy in July of 1969. This is significant because it paved the way for many trips to space for the U.S. Source: (nasa.gov) -
John Lennon Assassinated
The scene in New York was horrifying as Mark David Chapman took his .38 revolver and killed one of the greatest faces this music world as ever seen at the young age of only 40. John Lennon had a great future ahead of him. This is significant because it put and end to arguably the greatest member of the Beatles. Source: (john-lennon.com) -
Mandela is Released From Prison
Nelson Mandela, leader of the movement to end South African apartheid, is released from prison after 27 years on February 11, 1990. A man named F.W. deKlerk was the one that released him from prison in February of 1990. The two went on to do great things. This event is significant because without deKlerk and Mandela, this world would not have been the same. Source: (history.com) -
The Gardner Heist
As two thieves struggled to remove a heavy-framed Rembrandt from the wall of the Gardner museum, the alarm ent off causing the two to abruptly stop. The warning beeper proved to be the only part of the museum's security system that deterred the men at all. This event is significant because those stolen paintings are still out there. The FBI has yet to locate them. Source: (boston.com) -
Mandela and deKlerk Sign Record of Understanding
During a summit between the South African government and the African National Congress (ANC), both parties agreed to a Record of Understanding. The Record set up a timetable for establishing a constitutional assembly, an interim government and dealing with political prisoners, amoungst others. This is significant because this agreement proved to be one of the greatest decisions this duo ever made. Source: (nelsonmandella.org) -
Mandela and deKlerk Win a Nobel Pease Prize
The two earned this honor for their work for the people termination of the apartheid regime, and for laying the foundations for a new democratic South Africa. This event is significant because not just everyone wins this
honor, it takes a lot of hard work and effort to win this prize. Source: (nobelprize.org) -
First South African President
The Mandela-led ANC won South Africa's first elections with universal suffrage. He established a system which investigated human rights violation under apartheid, and he introduced housing, education, and economic development initiatives designed to improve the living standards of the country’s black
population. This event is significant because Mandela made life better for everyone in South Africa. Source: (nelsonmandella.org) -
Mandela Steps Down from Presidency
Mandela only served one term. He had the option to serve a second but he felt he had already laid the foundation for a great future for all. His successor was Thabo Mbeki. Some people belive that Mbeki was chosen due to some behind the scenes endorsement by Mandela. This is significant because it shows that Mandela had done enough. He felt the country was in good enough shape for himto step down. Source: (sahistory.org.za) -
Retired from Public Life
Mandela was getting old and decided to step down from public life. He said he did not intend to hide away totally, but he missed the opportunity for reading, thinking, and quiet reflection and would now do these things and work on his memoirs. This is significant because it shows Mandela is done contributing to major authorities in South Africa and will end his life thinking and writing memoirs. Source: (news.nationalgeographic.com) -
Mandela Dies
On the 5th of December in 2013, the world lost a great man. A nobel prize winner. Mandela passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his family. This is significant because on that day South Africa lost their greatest political figure. Soure: (foxnews.com)
