Nelson Mandela Day comes on July 18 of every year. The Nelson Mandela Day recognises as Nelson Mandela International Day or Mandela Day. The day commemorates Nelson Mandela’s achievements in fighting towards conflict resolution, democracy, human rights, peace, and reconciliation. Nelson Mandela Day not only celebrates Mandela’s life, but it is also a global day for people to recognise their strength to have a positive thought on others around them.

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” – Nelson Mandela

HISTORY OF NELSON MANDELA DAY

In November 2002, the United Nations officially declared the Nelson Mandela International Day and the first Nelson Mandela International Day was celebrated on July 18 of 2010. The day was created to honours the contribution of the former South African President to the culture of peace and freedom. The General Assembly recognises the values of Nelson Mandela and his dedication to the service of humanity in the field of conflict resolution, the protection of human rights, gender equality, rights of children, race relations and much more. Nelson Mandela was born on July 18, 1918, in Transkei, South Africa. Nelson Mandela is known for his well-known anti-apartheid activists in his country. In 1964, he was jailed for leading the liberation movement against apartheid and for his voice on the human rights to live in freedom. In 1964, he was imprisoned on Robben Island, off Cape Town in Soth Africa and his prison number was 466. After releasing from the jail, he continued to address racial issues in his country. His efforts earned him South Africa’s President in 1994. He remained in office as President of South Africa until 1999. He won Nobel Prize in the year 1993. In 2007, he formed an international group of elders who offer their influence and involvement to support the building of peace, help address major human suffering problems and promote shared interests of humanity. Hence Nelson Mandela Day is a perfect day to honours his contribution to the struggle for democracy universally and the development of a culture of peace across the world.