Overview

• The United Nations declared July 18 Nelson Mandela International Day in 2009 to honour Mandela’s 67 years of public service and commitment to freedom, justice and human rights.
• Mandela’s 27-year imprisonment under apartheid and his presidency from 1994 to 1999 underpin his global status as a symbol of peace, reconciliation and equality.
• Observed annually but not as a public holiday, Mandela Day challenges individuals worldwide to undertake community projects reflecting his belief that one person can make a difference.
• Many outlets republished ten of Mandela’s most inspiring quotes—such as “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”—to renew calls for civic engagement.
• In 2015, the UN expanded Mandela Day’s scope to highlight humane prison conditions and prisoner reintegration, reinforcing the day’s focus on justice and human dignity.