-
Rolihlahla Mandela was born in the village of Mvezo in Umtata, then part of South Africa's Cape Province.
-
Attends primary school near Qunu. He receives the name "Nelson" from a teacher.
-
Enrols at the University College of Fort Hare, in Alice, however then expelled in 1940
-
In a year Mandela escapes an arranged marriage; becomes a mine security officer; and starts articles at the law firm Witkin, Sidelsky & Eidelman
-
Completes his BA with the University of South Africa (UNISA)
-
Co-founds the ANC Youth League (ANCYL)
-
Marries Evelyn Ntoko Mase.
They have four children: Thembekile (1945); Makaziwe (1947); Makgatho (1950); Makaziwe (1954) -
Elected national secretary of the ANCYL
-
Elected President of the ANCYL
-
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,
-
Mandela Starts Law Practice. Mandela and Oliver Tambo open South Africa’s first black law practice.
-
Watches as the Congress of the People at Kliptown adopts the Freedom Charter
-
Arrested at his home and charged with treason, along with 155 others who called for a nonracial state in South Africa.
-
Divorces Evelyn Mase then Marries Nomzamo Winnie Madikizela, they then have two daughters: Zenani (1959) and Zindzi (1960)
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Mandela meets informally with Botha at the presidential office in Cape Town.
-
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, 71, is freed without conditions, ending 27 and a half years of imprisonment
-
Nelson Mandela and De Klerk share the Nobel Peace Prize.
Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize with President FW de Klerk -
Inaugurated as President of the Republic of South Africa
-
On his 80th birthday, Mandela marries Graça Machel, after judge grants petition for a divorce from his wife, Winnie in 1996.
-
Mentions he will severely reduce his public activities so he can spend his remaining years resting and writing.
-
Mandela Dies at 95. Passes away at home in Johannesburg
