Nelson Mandela celebrates his 90th birthday

Nation & World News

Nelson Mandela celebrates his 90th birthday

Photos of Nelson Mandela through the years.

Former South African President Nelson Mandela smiles during an interview at his house in Qunu, rural southeastern South Africa, Friday. Mandela celebrated his 90th birthday Friday by urging the wealthy to share with the less fortunate and by saying he wished he had been able to spend more time with his family during the anti-apartheid struggle.

Learners from the Bertrams Junior School clamour to touch a sculpture of Nelson Mandela as they celebrate their school's 90th year as well as Mandela's 90th birthday at the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg on Friday.

Former Robben Island prisoners Tokyo Sexwale, second left, and Mac Maharaj, right, blow out a candle on the cake made in honor of former South African President Nelson Mandela during his 90 birthday celebration on Robben Island, South Africa, Friday.

A giant birthday card is delivered at the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg on Friday.

Nelson Mandela, seen in this Feb. 13, 1990 photo, turns 90 on Friday. Mandela led South Africa's anti-apartheid movement and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.

Two days after he was released from prison, Nelson Mandela and then-wife Winnie Mandela entered Soweto's Soccer City stadium, South Africa on Feb. 13, 1990 and addressed a crowd of 120,000 people.

Mandela leaves the synagogue, being used as a court, in Pretoria, South Africa, during his first treason trial in August 1958.

Mandela spent 18 years in Robben Island Prison. He was imprisoned for 27 years. The facility is now a museum and is located next to a penguin colony.

President Clinton and Mandela peer through the bars of prison cell No. 5, the cramped, gray cell where Mandela was jailed for 18 years in his struggle against apartheid on Robben Island, South Africa.

Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson and Coretta Scott King join Mandela in holding up clenched fists during the playing of the Anthem of Mandela's African National Congress upon Mandela's arrival in Atlanta on June 27, 1990.

Mandela, alongside an image of himself as depicted in a comic book. As president, Mandela pursued reconciliation between white and black people.

Outgoing South African President Mandela casts his ballot in the second all-race elections in Johannesburg on June 2, 1999. Mandela was the country's first black president and served from 1994 to 1999.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth, right, meets former South African President Nelson Mandela at Buckingham Palace, London June 25, 2008. Following his presidency Mandela has served as an advocate for several human rights organizations.

Mandela acknowledges applause as he stands before a Joint Meeting of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington on June 26, 1990.

Mandela and AIDS activist Zackie Achmat wear 'HIV-positive' t-shirts on a visit to the Nolungile Clinic and Community Health Center in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, South Africa, on Dec. 12, 2002. Mandela became a champion of the fight against the country's rampant AIDS epidemic.

Cuban President Fidel Castro and Mandela gesture during the celebration of the "Day of the Revolution" in Matanzas on July 27, 1991.

Barney is greeted by South African President Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg on March 24, 1997.

Nelson Mandela waves from the stage at the 46664 charity concert in honor of Mandela's 90th birthday in London on June 27, 2008. Numerous celebrities, including actor Will Smith shown behind Mandela, turned out for the event. Mandela was prisoner No. 46664. That number originates from that fact that he was the 466th prisoner in 1964.

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Former South African President Nelson Mandela smiles during an interview at his house in Qunu, rural southeastern South Africa, Friday. Mandela celebrated his 90th birthday Friday by urging the wealthy to share with the less fortunate and by saying he wished he had been able to spend more time with his family during the anti-apartheid struggle.

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