This Day in History:
Nelson Mandela Is
Inaugurated in South Africa May 10, 1994 Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela had
been a political prisoner in
South Africa for 27 years. In 1964, under the racist regime
of apartheid instituted by the National Party, Mandela had been convicted
and sentenced to life in prison
on charges of sabotage,
treason and conspiracy. While in prison, Mandela's resolve
was steadfast and he continued to
be the symbolic leader of the
anti-apartheid movement. Released by South African president
F.W. de Klerk on February 11, 1990,
Mandela led negotiations for the end of apartheid. Four years later, 22 million
South Africans would turn out
to vote for Mandela, electing him
the first black president of South Africa.