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Born Rolihlahla Mandela at Mvezo
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Escapes an arranged marriage; becomes a mine security officer; starts articles at a law firm.
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Begins to attend African National Congress (ANC) meetings informally.
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Co-founds the ANC Youth League (ANCYL)
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Elected President of the ANCYL
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Defiance Campaign begins; Arrested and charged for violating the Suppression of Communism Act; Elected Transvaal ANC President.
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Sentenced to nine months imprisonment with hard labour
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Arrested and later joins 155 others on trial for teason. All are acquitted by 29 March 1961
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Sharpeville Massacre
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ANC is banned by the government.
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Mandela goes underground, MK is formed
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Leaves the country for military training and to garner support for the ANC.
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Returns to South Africa; arrested and sentenced to five years in prison for incitement and leaving the country without a passport.
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Appears in court for the first time in what becomes known as the Rivonia Trial.
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Arrives on Robben Island
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ANC is unbanned
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Released from prison
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Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize with President FW de Klerk
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Elected by Parliament as first president of a democratic South Africa
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Launches his autobiography Long Walk to Freedom
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Steps down after one term as President
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Passes away at home in Johannesburg