Nelson Mandela — Timeline
Key moments in the life of Nelson Mandela.
1918
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela born on July 18 in Mvezo, Eastern Cape, South Africa
1944
Joined the African National Congress (ANC) and began anti-apartheid activism
1952
Arrested during the Defiance Campaign against apartheid laws; received first jail sentence
1960
Arrested after the Sharpeville Massacre; charged with treason but acquitted in 1961
1962
Arrested in Howick, KwaZulu-Natal; sentenced to five years in prison
1964
Convicted of sabotage and sentenced to life imprisonment at Robben Island
1990
Released from prison on February 11 after 27 years of imprisonment
1994
Elected President of South Africa in the first fully democratic elections; inaugurated on May 10
1999
Stepped down as President after one term; succeeded by Thabo Mbeki
2013
Died on December 5 at his home in Johannesburg at age 95