Born Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, to the leader of the Tembu tribe in 1918 Umata, South Africa. Mandela grew up to be a political activist and a lawyer and in 1962 established the first black practice in South Africa.
Four years later, he was charged with treason. In 1961 he was acquitted of those charges, but that was not the end of trouble for Mandela. The following year, 1962, he was charged, arrested, and sentenced to five years in prison. Before he could serve those five years, he was taken from prison and to a new trial, facing charges of sabotage, high treason, and conspiracy to overthrow the government. He was sentenced to life in prison in June 1964. February 11th, 1990, Mandela was released from prison.
Learn more about the leader and activist here!
Nelson Mandela : the struggle is my life : his speeches and writings brought together with historical documents and accounts of Mandela in prison by fellow-prisoners
Other Events Today In History…
American Family Day in Arizona
Burkina Faso Revolution Day
Coast Guard Day
Old Fiddlers’ Convention
Sisters’ Day
*Happy Birthday President Barack Obama*
Source:
Chase’s Calendar of Events 2013