Nelson Mandela International Day: History, significance and all you need to know

To remember South African idol’s contribution to negotiate an end to apartheid, July 18 is celebrated as Nelson Mandela International Day. It was on this day that South Africa’s first black and democratically elected President was born in Transkei, South Africa in 1918.

United Nations officially delared July 18 as Nelson Mandela International day in November 2009. It was first celebrated on July 18, 2010.

Going a step further, the UN General Assembly expanded the scope of Nelson Mandela International Day in 2015. It made issues pertaining to the prisons, as well as the prisoners as the focus points of the day.

In fact, the intergovernmental organisation has even devised the ‘Nelson Mandela Rules’ — which underlines norms for the treatment of prisoners. These rules were named after him because Mandela spent 27 years in prison for his anti-apartheid efforts.

A human rights lawyer, Mandela, who was affectionately known as Madiba around the world , dedicated his life towards empowering people. He also fought for fundamental rights of all human beings.

Mandela, who played the role of an international peacemaker, served as the South Africa’s first black president from 1994 to 1999. He was felicitated with the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.

Also known as the ‘Gandhi of South Africa’, Mandela shared a special bond with India. He was a strong follower of Gandhi’s teachings. In fact, after his release from prison, India conferred him with its highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna. The Indian government also awarded him with the International Gandhi Peace Price in 2001 for his peacemaking efforts.