Nelson Mandela By DilanandMatt Jul 18, 1918 Born Rolihlahla Mandela at Mvezo Jan 19, 1941 Escapes an arranged marriage; becomes a mine security officer; starts articles at a law firm. Mar 22, 1942 Begins to attend African National Congress (ANC) meetings informally. May 11, 1944 Co-founds the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) Jul 30, 1951 Elected President of the ANCYL Jan 1, 1952 Defiance Campaign begins; Arrested and charged for violating the Suppression of Communism Act; Elected Transvaal ANC President. Jun 16, 1952 Sentenced to nine months imprisonment with hard labour Dec 5, 1956 Arrested and later joins 155 others on trial for teason. All are acquitted by 29 March 1961 Mar 21, 1960 Sharpeville Massacre Apr 8, 1960 ANC is banned by the government. Jan 1, 1961 Mandela goes underground, MK is formed Jan 11, 1962 Leaves the country for military training and to garner support for the ANC. Jul 23, 1962 Returns to South Africa; arrested and sentenced to five years in prison for incitement and leaving the country without a passport. Oct 9, 1963 Appears in court for the first time in what becomes known as the Rivonia Trial. Jun 13, 1964 Arrives on Robben Island Feb 2, 1990 ANC is unbanned Feb 11, 1990 Released from prison Dec 10, 1993 Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize with President FW de Klerk May 9, 1994 Elected by Parliament as first president of a democratic South Africa Dec 14, 1994 Launches his autobiography Long Walk to Freedom Jan 1, 1999 Steps down after one term as President Dec 5, 2013 Passes away at home in Johannesburg
