Nelson Mandela, who became a world-wide symbol of resistance to racism and injustice during his 27 years in jail, died Thursday. He was the iconic pathfinder who led South Africa from apartheid to all-race democracy. (Mandela, was a heavyweight boxer (1950))
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Reports of the Nobel Peace Prize winner’s failing health circulated Thursday as relatives and friends gathered at his death bed. He was 95. (He’s photographed in the beginning days of his political activism circa 1950.)
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Mandela photographed as 42-year-old political activist and an able heavyweight boxer (1961)
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Mandela and his second wife Winnie raising fists upon his release from Victor Verster prison after 27 years. (1990)
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Mandela embraces his daughter Zinzi and his second wife Winnie with Zinzi’s daughter after his release from prison. (1990)
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A view of the cell on Robben Island, South Africa where Mandela was locked up by the former apartheid government
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Mandela salutes a crowd of supporters during his tour of townships. (1990)
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Mandela address the Swedish Parliament in Stockholm, Sweden (1990)
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Mandela (right) shakes hands with British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. (1990)
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Mandela raises his arms over his head as he receives applause at the United Nations in New York City. (1990)
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Mandela receives the Martin Luther King Jr. International Freedom Award from King’s widow Coretta Scott King. (1990)
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Mandela follows Mahatma Gandhi’s meditative mood in this New-Delhi painting. (1990)
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Mandela smiles as he’s unanimously elected to succeed African National Congress (ANC) president Oliver Tambo. (1991)
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Mandela (right) next to his waxwork replica at Madam Tussaud’s museum in London (1993)
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In 1994, Mandela launched an electoral campaign in Joberton, South Africa.
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It’s the first democratic, multiracial general election in the nation’s history. (1994)
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Mandela greets young supporters a township outside Durban, South Africa. (1994)
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Mandela votes in South Africa’s first multiracial elections. (1994)
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Mandela takes the oath of office in Pretoria Tuesday, May 10, 1994 to become South Africa’s first black President.
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U.S. Vice President Al Gore (left) and Speaker of the House Thomas Foley applaud Mandela in his first visit to the U.S. as South African head of state. (1994)
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Pope John Paul II and Mandela (1995)
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Mandela and the Dalai Lama (1996)
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Mandela and then U.S. President Bill Clinton peer out from Section B, prison cell No. 5, on Robben Island, South Africa where Mandela spent 18 of his 27-year prison term. (1998)
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Mandela clasps his hands alongside American pop-icon Michael Jackson. (1999)
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Mandela and Bill Gates (1999)
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Mandela welcomes the election of new South African president Thabo Mbeki (1999)
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Queen Elizabeth II and Mandela at Buckingham Palace (2000)
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Mandela and Desmond Tutu
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Mandela and late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat (2001)
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Mandela and Muammar Gaddafi (2001)
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Mandela and Princess Diana
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Mandela and Bono (2003)
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Oscar winner Charlize Theron, herself South African, burst into tears when she met former president Nelson Mandela in 2004.
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Hillary Clinton meets with Mandela, 94, at his home in Qunu, South Africa. (2004)
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Former British Primer Minster Tony Blair and Mandela (2004)
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Mandela dons boxing gloves for a photo for his 88th birthday. (2006)
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Mandela celebrates his 90th birthday surrounded by his grandchildren. (2008)
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Mandela with his third wife at the World Cup South Africa Final match in Johannesburg (2010)
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First Lady Michelle Obama (middle), her daughters, Malia (left) and Sasha (middle) pose with former Nelson Mandela (right) at his home in Johannesburg. (2011)
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Mandela and his wife Graca Machel (2012)
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News of the death of former South African President Nelson Mandela is seen on a screen in New York’s Times Square.
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