Nelson Mandela 1918-2013

Nelson Mandela raises a clenched fist to supporters in Mmabatho, South Africa, upon his arrival for his first election rally, March 15, 1994.

The anti-apartheid fighter who spent 27 years as a political prisoner before becoming his nation's first democratic leader - and first black president - died at home in Johannesburg on Thursday, December 5, 2013. He was 95.

South African President Jacob Zuma announced Mandela's death in an address to the nation, saying, "We've lost our greatest son."

Read more: Nelson Mandela dead at 95

1961

A 1961 photo of Nelson Mandela, then 42 years old. The son of a minor chieftain, Mandela took his degree in law at the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa and embarked on a career as political activist.

1957

Nelson Mandela and his second wife, Winnie, at their wedding in 1957. This copy was taken from the family album; the original was by Alf Khumalo.

1964

Eight men - among them anti-apartheid leader and African National Congress member Nelson Mandela - leave the Palace of Justice in Pretoria on June 16, 1964 with their fists raised in defiance through the barred windows of the prison car, after being sentenced to life imprisonment. The eight men were accused of conspiracy, sabotage and treason.

1988

Mandela_150339424 copy.jpg — WALTER DHLADHLA/AFP/Getty Images

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, standing with her grandson Ntsika, addresses a 70th birthday commemoration for the jailed anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela, in Johannesburg July 18, 1988.

1990

A young man holds up a newspaper announcing that the African National Congress is "unbanned," February 2, 1990, during a demonstration of anti-Apartheid marchers in Cape Town demanding the release of all political prisoners in South Africa.

1990

South African National Congress (ANC) President Nelson Mandela, center, and his then-wife, Winnie, raise their fists on Feb. 11, 1990, in Paarl, South Africa, to salute cheering crowd upon Mandela's release from Victor Verster prison.

1990

African National Congress President Nelson Mandela poses for photographers after his first press conference in Cape Town, South Africa, on Feb. 12, 1990.

1991

Nelson Mandela and his wife, Winnie, arrive at a rally marking the end of the African National Congress' first national congress inside South Africa on July 7, 1991.

1992

Zinzi Mandela, left, and her father, South African National Congress President Nelson Mandela, smile on Oct. 26, 1992, in Soweto, South Africa, after Zinzi married businessman Zweli Hlongwane.

1993

African National Congress President Nelson Mandela greets supporters behind the fence in a mining town of Randfontein, west of Johannesburg, South Africa, Nov. 25, 1993. Mandela toured the area as part of his campaign for the April 27, 1994, election.

1993

Nelson Mandela, president of South African African National Congress, center, and South African President Frederik de Klerk, right, display their Nobel Prizes on Dec. 9, 1993, in Oslo, Norway, after being awarded jointly for their work to end apartheid peacefully. De Klerk shared a Nobel Peace Prize with Mandela for their efforts in securing a peaceful transition from apartheid rule.

1994

South Africa's President Nelson Mandela, left, stands at attention as the national anthem is played during his inauguration at the Union Building in Pretoria on May 10, 1994. Pictured on his left is his daughter Zinani.

1995

South African President President Nelson Mandela visits his former cell in notorious Robben Island prison off the coast of Cape Town, where he spent 19 of his 27 years in jail, on Feb. 10, 1995.

1995

Springbok captain Francois Pienaar, right, receives the Rugby World Cup from South African President Nelson Mandela at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, South Africa, on June 24, 1995. South Africa won the final against New Zealand 15-12 after extra time. Events leading up to the championship were depicted in Clint Eastwood's 2009 film, "Invictus," starring Matt Damon as Pienaar and Morgan Freeman as Mandela.

1995

Pope John Paul II and South African President Nelson Mandela talk on Sept. 16, 1995, at the presidential guest house in Pretoria. The pontiff visited Cameroon, South Africa, and Nairobi for the conclusion of the Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops.

1997

South African President Nelson Mandela and Sri Lankan President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga laugh together before the first session of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting on Oct. 24, 1997.

1998

South African President Nelson Mandela shows his degree certificate to a large crowd at Harvard University in Boston after receiving an honorary degree on Sept. 18, 1998. Mandela is on an official visit in North America and will go to the United Nations, New York, Washington and Canada.

1999

Libyan Leader Muammar Gaddafi, right, flashes the "V" sign as he stands with South African President Nelson Mandela on March 19, 1999, at the end of their speeches at the Libyan parliament in Tripoli.

1999

President Bill Clinton, right, and former South African President Nelson Mandela shake hands during their meeting on Oct. 21, 1999, in the Oval office of the White House in Washington.

2001

Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair greets former South African president Nelson Mandela, left, outside 10 Downing Street in London on April 30, 2001. Mandela is visiting Britain on a three-day tour.

2002

Irish rock star Bono, right, and former South African president Nelson Mandela are pictured after meeting at Mandela's home in Johannesburg on May 25, 2002. Bono and U.S. Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill were in the country on the second leg of their African tour to highlight the need for development aid to the world's poorest continent.

2003

Nelson Mandela makes a speech at the "46664 - Give One Minute of Your Life to AIDS" concert at Greenpoint Stadium on Nov. 29, 2003, in Cape Town, South Africa. The concert will benefit the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the fight against AIDS in Africa. The number refers to Mandela's status as Prisoner 46664 during his years in the South African penal system.

2004

South African actress Charlize Theron wipes away tears as she meets former South African President Nelson Mandela at Mandela House on March 11, 2004, in Johannesburg, South Africa, following her best actress win at that year's Academy Awards.

2004

Nelson Mandela holds the Olympic Flame on Robben Island during Day 9 of the Athens 2004 Olympic Torch Relay on June 12, 2004, in Cape Town, South Africa.

2005

President George W. Bush, right, meets with former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela in the Oval Office of the White House on May 17, 2005, in Washington. Mandela was on an official visit to the U.S. seeking support for the Nelson Mandela Legacy Trust, which supports African-based charities.

2007

Ex-South African President Nelson Mandela addresses the crowd during a statue unveiling ceremony in his honor at Parliament Square on Aug. 29, 2007, in London. The statue, depicting Nelson Mandela delivering a speech by sculptor Ian Walters, is 9 feet high, made of bronze and faces the Houses of Parliament.

2007

Actor Morgan Freeman, left, and Nelson Mandela attend the Unite for a Better World Gala Dinner on Sept. 2, 2007, at the Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo, Monaco. Freeman portrayed Mandela in the 2009 film "Invictus," earning an Oscar nomination for the role.

2007

Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images/Getty Images

Former South Africa President Nelson Mandela poses with the Webb-Ellis cup and the South Africa Springboks team, wearing HIV AIDS awareness campaign t-shirts during the Springboks visit to Nelson Mandela at his residence on Oct. 27, 2007, in Houghton, Johannesburg, South Africa.

2008

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, right, meets former South African President Nelson Mandela at Buckingham Palace in London on June 25, 2008. The meeting was part of a week-long visit marking the former South African president's 90th birthday.

2008

Nelson Mandela is seen onstage during the 46664 Concert in Celebration of Nelson Mandela's Life held at Hyde Park in London on June 27, 2008. The number refers to Mandela's status as Prisoner 46664 during his years in the South Africa penal system.

2008

Juda Ngwenya/Nelson Mandela Foundation via Getty Images

Former South African president and Nobel Peace Prize winner Nelson Mandela and his wife, Graca Machel, share a laugh behind his birthday cake, a gift from the staff in honor of his 90th birthday at the Nelson Mandela Foundation on Aug. 5, 2008, in Houghton, South Africa. Graca Machel is Mandela's third wife; his two previous marriages ended in divorce.

2009

Rwandan President Paul Kagame meets former South African President Nelson Mandela at the Nelson Mandela Foundation on March 20, 2009, in Johannesburg, South Africa.

2009

A child kisses Nelson Mandela during the launch of a children's hospital in Johannesburg, July 31, 2009.

2010

Nelson Mandela, seated, is reunited with The Elders, from left, Graca Machel, Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Desmond Tutu, Jimmy Carter, Mary Robinson, Kofi Annan, Gro Brundtland, Martti Ahtisaari, Ela Bhatt and Lakhdar Brahimi on May 29, 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Mandela, who founded The Elders in 2007 to be "a fiercely independent and robust force for good," met members of the group at a private lunch.

2010

Former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela and his wife, Graca Machel, smile and wave to the crowd ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Final match between Netherlands and Spain at Soccer City Stadium on July 11, 2010, in Johannesburg, South Africa.

2011

Debbie Yazbek/Nelson Mandela Foundation/AP

First lady Michelle Obama, left, sits with former South African President Nelson Mandela, at his home, in Houghton, South Africa, on June 21, 2011.

2011

Nelson Mandela in May 2011.

2013

Mandela poses with his great grandson Zen Manaway, in Johannesburg, South Africa, February 2013.