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Nelson Mandela is born
Nelson Mandela was born on July 18, 1918. He was born in Transkei, South Africa. Mandela was born to Nkosi Mphakanyiswa Gadla Mandela, his father, and Nonquaphi Nosekeni, his mother. This event is important because Mandela would go on to become a leader in the movement against apartheid in South Africa and would go on to become the President of South Africa as well (Benson 15). -
Mandela joins the ANC
Mandela joined the African National Congress (ANC) in 1944 and was determined to put an end to National Party’s apartheid policies. He and his friend Oliver Tambo formed the Youth League of the African National Congress with the hope of strengthening the movement against apartheid on April 2, 1944. This event is important because Mandela joining the ANC allowed him to begin to gain power and respect in South Africa (Ten Most Important Events in Nelson Mandela's Life). -
Korean War Begins
75,000 soldiers from The North Korean People’s Army invaded the 38th parallel, the boundary between the Soviet-backed Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to the north and the pro-Western Republic of Korea to the south. This prompted America to enter the war and join South Korea. The war ended 3 years later and 5 million lives were lost. The Korean peninsula is still divided today. This event was important because it created tensions in Korea that still exist today (Korean War). -
Mandela charged with treason
Mandela eventually became a prominent member of African National Congress. He was arrested several times for rebellious activities in 1950’s and was charged with treason in 1956. He was acquitted from treason charges in 1961 after six years of trial. This is important because it shows how Mandela had become such a force in the movement against apartheid that he had to be arrested (O'Malley). -
Mandela's Second Marriage
Mandela married Winnie Madikizela in 1958 after his 13-year marriage with Evelyn Ntoko ended in a divorce. He wrote in his autobiography, "Long Walk to Freedom: "I cannot say for certain if there is such a thing as love at first sight, but I do know that the moment I first glimpsed (at) Winnie Nomzamo, I knew that I wanted to have her as my wife." This event was very important because Mandela's wife would be Mandela's public face when he was in jail. (Mandela 77). -
Mandela Organizes Umkhonto we Sizwe
After the Sharpeville Massacre in 1960, it had become very clear to the ANC that non-violence was not working. While the ANC kept a non-violent stance, Mandela was allowed to form a military organization called Umkhonto weSizwe on July 6th, 1960, which was designed to fight back against the South African government. This event is important because Mandela was able to form an organization that could fight back against the South African government (SA History). -
Mandela imprisoned
Nelson Mandela was arrested on his return to South Africa on December 6th, 1960. He was convicted of illegally leaving the country and inciting military attacks. He was initially sentenced to rigorous imprisonment but the sentence was later extended to life imprisonment after the government convicted him of treason. This event is important because it caused Mandela's reputation to grow steadily and he became a symbol for the anti-apartheid movement. (Nobel Prize). -
Berlin Wall Built
Two days after sealing off free passage between East and West Berlin with barbed wire, East German authorities begin building the Berlin Wall to permanently close off access to the West.
The Berlin Wall lasted for 28 years, until 1989. In 1990, East and West Germany reunited. This event had an impact on many families in Germany because a lot of them could not visit each other (Berlin Wall Built). -
Civil Rights Act Passed
This act, signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson on July 2, 1964, prohibited discrimination in public places, provided for the integration of schools and other public facilities, and made employment discrimination illegal. This was one of John F. Kennedy’s most important proposals, but he was assassinated in 1963. This document was important because it was the most sweeping civil rights legislation since Reconstruction (Our Documents). -
First Moon Landing
On this date, Americans Neil Armstrong and Edward Aldrin landed a spacecraft named Eagle on the moon. The next day, they went back to Earth on the command ship Columbia, which along with Eagle is part of the Apollo 11 rocket. This was a significant event for the U.S. in the space race against the Soviet Union, and began an intensive program of exploration on the Moon (Schlager 284). -
Mandela released from prison
South African President F.W. De Klerk lifted the ban on the ANC and started doing away with the apartheid regime soon after coming to power. Mandela was released from prison on February 11th, 1990, after 27 years of imprisonment. This event is important because it allowed Mandela to pursue the political goals (like becoming President) that he never got to achieve before he was imprisoned (Ten Most Important Events in Nelson Mandela's Life). -
Iraq invades Kuwait
On this day, Iraq invaded Kuwait in an attempt to get their oil reserves. Four days later, the U.N. imposed a worldwide trade ban on Iraq. After that, the U.S. and several other nations joined the fight against Iraq, and the Persian Gulf War began. Operations Desert Storm and Sabre carried out by the U.S. destroyed any Iraqi resistance. This event is important because it triggered both the Persian Gulf and Iraq Wars, where many lives were lost (Persian Gulf War). -
Mandela wins the Nobel Peace Prize
Mandela then led the ANC in its negotiations with the government for an end to apartheid and the establishment of a multiracial government. Nelson Mandela was honoured with the Nobel Peace Prize on October 3rd, 1993. He shared the prize with South African President F.W. De Klerk who helped end the apartheid regime and helped Mandela get released. This event was important because it showed how the world recognized Mandela's fight against racism (Ten Important Events in Nelson Mandela's Life). -
Mandela Elected President
On May 10, 1994, Mandela was elected South Africa’s president. Mandela was the first black president ever in his country. In 1996, Mandela signed into law a new Constitution for the nation, establishing a strong central government based on majority rule. He gave his farewell as the president of South Africa on March 29, 1999, after serving the country for five years. Mandela's presidency was important because the changes he made improved the lives of all people in South Africa (SA History). -
World Trade Center Bombing
On this day, 19 militants from the Islamic terrorist group known as Al-Qaeda hijacked four airplanes and tried to crash them into important places in the United States by suicide attacks. Two planes hit the World Trade Center in New York City, where almost 3,000 people died. This event was important because it triggered U.S. initiatives to combat terrorism, which ended becoming one of the most important initiatives in George W. Bush's presidency (Nine/Eleven Attacks). -
Nelson Mandela dies
Nelson Mandela died on December 5th, 2013, from a prolonged respiratory infection. He was buried in Qunu in the Eastern Cape where he was born. Mandela's birthday was named Nelson Mandela International Day by the United Nations. This event is important because Mandela's death caused a lot of people to find out more about who he was and what he was able to accomplish (CNN).
