US News

World leaders bid farewell to Mandela

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Obama delivering his speech that earned him a standing ovation

Leaders from all over the world came to a rainy stadium Tuesday to bid farewell to Nelson Mandela—a man who emerged from 27 years in prison under a racist regime, embraced his enemies, and ushered in a new era of forgiveness and reconciliation in South Africa.

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Obama (R) greets Graca Machel

Obama greets Nelson Mandela's widow, Graca Machel.

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Obama shakes hands with Cuban President Raul Castro during the memorial service for Nelson Mandela

President Obama shakes hands with Cuban President Raul Castro during memorial service for Nelson Mandela.

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Obama (R) and British Prime Minister David Cameron pose for a picture with Denmark's Prime Minister Helle Thorning Schmidt

Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron pose for a selfie with Denmark's Prime Minister Helle Thorning Schmidt.

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Mandela Memorial Service

Barack Obama shares a moment with Denmark's Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt as First Lady Michelle Obama looks on.

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South Africa Mandela Memorial

Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush and Clinton's daughter Chelsea Clinton at the ceremony.

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ainy stadium and millions watching around the world on Tuesday to carry forward Nelson Mandela’s mission of erasing injustice and inequality. In a speech that received thunderous applause at FNB stadium and a standing ovation, Obama called on people to apply the lessons of Mandela, who emerged from 27 years in prison under a racist regime, embraced his enemies when he finally walked to freedom and ushered in a new era of forgiveness and reconciliation in South Africa.

epa03984666 Former US presidents Bill Clinton (L), George W. Bush (C) and Clinton’s daughter Chelsea Clinton (R) attend the official memorial ceremony for late South African president Nelson Mandela at...

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US President Bill Clinton (frontR), his wife former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (C) and their daughter Chelsea

Former US President Bill Clinton, former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and their daughter Chelsea with former US President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush.

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Former US President George W. Bush (2nd row 2R) and world leaders

Former US President George W. Bush waves to the crowd.

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South Africa Mandela Memorial

Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, former U.S. President Bill Clinton and their daughter Chelsea arrive for the memorial service for former South African president Nelson Mandela at...

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Irish band U2's lead singer Bono and South African actress Charlize Theron

Bono with South African actress Charlize Theron

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South African Archbishop and Honorary Elders Desmond Tutu (C)

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu takes time to rest.

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Mandela's second wife Winnie and Desmond Tutu

Mandela's second wife Winnie with Archbishop Desmond Tutu

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Former wife Winnie Mandela (L), and Graca Machel (R), the widow of Nelson Mandela

Winnie Mandela (left) and Mandela's widow Graca Machel (right)

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Mandela's family members

Mandela's family members

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Former South African apartheid area President Frederik Willem de Klerk

Former South African apartheid-era President Frederik Willem de Klerk and his wife Marike

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Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff (3rdR) delivering a speech during the memorial service

Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff delivers a speech.

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Jordan's King Queen Rania (C)

Queen Rania of Jordan

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supermodel Naomi Campbell

Supermodel Naomi Campbell arrives at the stadium.

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South Africa Mandela Memorial

Obama greets the crowd

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FNB Stadium in Soweto, near Johannesburg

FNB Stadium