Today, July 18th, Nelson Mandela celebrates his 95th birthday. Today also marked 15 years of marriage to his wife Graca Machel.
The United Nations declared Thursday Nelson Mandela International Day as a way of recognizing the Nobel Peace Prize winner’s contribution to reconciliation. Mandela, also known by his clan name Madiba, was jailed for 27 years under white minority rule and led a difficult transition from apartheid to democracy, becoming president in all-race elections in 1994.
The ailing South African icon is currently in a Pretoria hospital for a recurring lung infection. In previous announcements, the government said he was in critical but stable condition.
Happy birthday to Nelson Mandela!