Nelson Mandela's visit to Atlanta, Georgia June 1990

Nation & World News

Nelson Mandela's Atlanta visit June 1990

Nelson Mandela ties to Atlanta date back to 1990, when he received a hero's welcome at an open-air rally at Georgia Tech's Bobby Dodd Stadium. The visit also included stops at the crypt of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and the campus of Morehouse University.

Two decades ago, Atlantans endured oppressive heat, police barricades, shoving matches and long schedule delays Wednesday to get a glimpse of Nelson Mandela during his 1990 visit to the United States. With his familiar salute, anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela greets a capacity crowd as he is greeted with a standing ovation at Bobby Dodd Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, June 27, 1990. He compared his struggle in South Africa to the U.S. civil rights movement. (Johnny Crawford, jcrawford@ajc.com)

Mandela's 1990 visited to Atlanta included a stop at the crypt of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. This photo shows the motorcade near the historic district on Auburn Avenue, known to Atlantans as the Sweet Auburn District. Atlanta, Georgia, June 27, 1990. Marlene Karas / AJC

South African anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela, lays a wreath at the crypt of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Atlanta, Georgia, June 27, 1990. Renee Hannans / AJC

Nelson Mandela waves to the crowd after placing a wreath at the crypt of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Atlanta, Georgia, June 27, 1990. Renee Hannans / AJC

When Mandela visited Atlanta in 1990, the Rev. Joseph Lowery, who chaired the event, led him on a tour of civil rights landmarks on Auburn Avenue. Lowery said Mandela, standing in front of the old Southern Christian Leadership Conference's headquarters, admired Martin Luther King Jr., and the work of the American civil rights movement. June 27, 1990. Photo Courtesy of the SCLC

Nelson Mandela receives the Martin Luther king Jr. International Freedom Award from King's widow Coretta Scott King during a ceremony at the Big Bethel AME church in Atlanta Wednesday, June 27, 1990. Mandela is the first recipient of the award. (AP Photo/David Longstreath)

27 June 1990, Atlanta, Georgia, USA --- Atlanta. Mayor Maynard Jackson (C) and Coretta Scott king, widow of slain civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., join Nelson Mandela in holding up clenched fists during the playing of the Anthem of Mandela's African National Congress upon Mandela's arrival. --- Image by � Bettmann/CORBIS

During Mandela's 1990 visit to Atlanta, he attended a breakfast co-sponsored by Jesse Hill, CEO of the Atlanta Life Insurance Co. and Rev. Cameron Alexander of Antioch Baptist Church North. Seated, from left, are former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young, Nelson Mandela, and the Rev. Cameron Alexander. Standing, from left, former Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson, Dr. Jane Smith and Evelyn Roberts. The photo was provided by Smith, who is now the Spelman College Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement executive director. (June 1990 photo, Bud Smith Photography)

Mandela's visit came soon he was released in February 1990 after 27 years in prison for his opposition to the apartheid policies in South Africa. In Atlanta, as elsewhere, he received a hero's welcome and security that normally is reserved for the visit of a U.S. president. At Georgia Tech's Bobby Dodd Stadium, shown in this aerial view, the crowd was reported at more than 54,000. Atlanta, Georgia, June 27, 1990. Marlene Karas / AJC

During Mandela's appearance, one civil rights activist who was not present inside the stadium was the Rev. Hosea Williams, shown here in an undated photo. Williams and four others were arrested outside the stadium during a protest of the $5 ticket price charged to hear Mr. Mandela. "Let us see Mandela or lock us up, " demanded the Rev. Williams. Police locked them up. UNDATED. (Charles Pugh/AJC and Cox News Service)

1/10

Two decades ago, Atlantans endured oppressive heat, police barricades, shoving matches and long schedule delays Wednesday to get a glimpse of Nelson Mandela during his 1990 visit to the United States. With his familiar salute, anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela greets a capacity crowd as he is greeted with a standing ovation at Bobby Dodd Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, June 27, 1990. He compared his struggle in South Africa to the U.S. civil rights movement. (Johnny Crawford, jcrawford@ajc.com)

Today's Gallery Headlines

PHOTOS: Georgia's first snowfall of the year

Alerts

PHOTOS: Georgia's first snowfall of the year

PHOTOS: Hawks fall at home to Celtics

PHOTOS: No. 21 Georgia holds off No. 17 Arkansas in men's basketball

Buford football holds ceremony to celebrate its consensus national championship